Are dumbphones the answer?

Is downgrading our phones the best way to break our bad habits?

Whether we like it or not, we are tethered to our smartphones. They are more than communication devices. They are used to pay bills, to order groceries & take out, to navigate to new places, to work, to create, to play.

And yet, there’s a growing resistance to these devices. We’ve begun to recognize how what we first saw as 'innovative technology' is, in fact, weighing us down from living our true purpose. In many ways, we are addicted. I know that’s strong language, and it may make some people uncomfortable, but this Substack wouldn’t exist if I were alone in that feeling.

So, is downgrading to a dumbphone the right move? Should we kick our smartphones to the curb and say “see ya never?”

For some, the answer might be yes.

Downgrading

I recently read Catherine Shannon’s essay — Do you remember how life used to be? If it was printed out, I could have underlined nearly every word. I’d like to share one particularly poignant part:

Do you remember how life used to feel?

Catherine details how she tried to kick her habit four times before finally deciding to downgrade from a smartphone to a dumbphone. She needed the physical separation from the consistent presence of the Internet. And to boot, she acknowledges that leaving her smartphone behind was a privileged choice.

Essentially, she both needed to do something drastic for change, and she could continue life without the tools a smartphone can provide.

Is there a middle ground?

Let me give you an alternate point of view — my own. Keeping a smartphone around is vital for me in a lot of ways. I need many of the tools to function as an adult in 2025. Could I downgrade like Courtney, channel the 90s, and start grocery shopping in person again, print out directions before I head out, and keep up with a paper planner? Absolutely — but as a full-time parent to small children, I’m constantly looking for ways to make my life easier, not more complicated. These tools help my days run smoother, they help me keep my sanity.

And being a parent doesn’t make me special. We’ve weaved smartphones into nearly every aspect of life — from work emails to e-tickets to QR code restaurant menus. Using a smartphone can make life easier.

But if you’re using it in the wrong ways — doom-scrolling, compulsive check-ins, wasting hours on end, numbing your anxiety with a screen — it’s actually making your life harder.

I do think it’s possible to coexist with our smartphones in a healthy way, but it takes some effort. We must have the right mindset, put boundaries in place, and do the work to maintain those boundaries.

Untangling your smartphone tools from smartphone temptations is the tricky part. When I started on this journey, I knew I wanted a big change, but I didn’t know what an ideal relationship with my phone could look like. It took me months of trial and error to discover what the best path was. It’s why I created the Digital Detox course – to help this community learn to use your phone as a tool.

The Detox course is modeled after the blueprint that I’ve followed to get to the point where I am today. You don’t have to give up mobile banking or Maps or streaming music. You can discover what is essential for you and strip your phone down exclusively to those tools. But like it said, it’s not effortless.

Digital detox

You have a choice to make

Ultimately, if you want to make a big change with your phone habits, there’s going to be some friction. You have two choices:

• Remove the temptation completely by downgrading to a dumbphone, but take on some inconveniences in everyday life.

• Or keep the tools of your smartphone, but take on the everyday work of maintaining motivation and resisting unhealthy habits.

So, maybe a dumbphone is the right move for you. If you have tried all the tactics to cut down on your phone use, but you’re still slipping back into old habits, it might be the right call. A dumbphone will truly free you from the shackles of social media, of incessant notifications, of 24/7 email, and of the non-stop “Let me Google it.” Switching to a dumbphone will give you no other choice but to live a life offline.

Here’s what I’d ask yourself before you make the jump:

• Does your career require a smartphone?

• Can you develop reliable systems to replace your most-used smartphone tools? For example:

  • Will you print directions before driving somewhere new?

  • Can you manage your banking from a Desktop computer or in-person?

  • Can you switch to ordering food delivery by phone and buy groceries in person?

  • Can you manage your home security from a separate device?

A phone is a tool but if you don’t really need all the tools a smartphone brings, don’t hold onto it. Get rid of the clutter and simplify your life. I hope that one day, I can get to a place that it’s not required for my daily life anymore. In this season of life, the pros outweigh the cons, but they might not forever. It’s something I’m always assessing.

Dumbphone round-up

If you’re ready to make the switch, I rounded up five great dumbphone options, but I recommend you do a lot of research before pulling the trigger. Some have Internet access, some have some minimal tools available, and others are bare bones. It’s up to you to choose the best option for your needs. r/dumbphones is a great resource for information and feedback on various models.

The Light Phone

This has been the most tempting dumbphone for me. It was first introduced in 2017, and they’ve since introduced an upgraded version, the “Light Phone II,” however there is also a pre-order for their new “Light Phone III,” their first model to include a camera.

The Light Phone II

Barbie Phone

HMD Barbie Flip

Another tempting option, how could it not be? It’s your typical retro flip phone, complete with mirror front, camera, and mp3 player. 8th grade me would covet this phone. Okay, maybe 34 year-old me covets it a bit.

Punkt MP02

I’ve seen a lot of good reviews for the Punkt. It allows you to share it’s connection with a tablet or computer so you can access the internet as-needed, then simply disconnect again. It’s also adorable.

Punkt Mobile

Sunbeam F1 Pro A

F1 Pro A is a popular flip phone option that includes a decent camera, which I know is a huge plus for a lot of dumbphone users.

Sunbeam F1 Pro A

CAT S22 Flip

CAT S22 Flip This is a more traditional dumbphone, but r/dumbphones absolutely loves it.

CAT 22 Flip

So, are dumbphones the answer? I guess they are ultimately one of many. What remains important is that we recognize that we’ve had enough with the current status quo. We are ready for change, and we’ve taken it into our own hands.

---

*As a note, a few of the phone links are affiliate links. This means, if you purchase through the link, I’d earn a small commission. I only recommended phones that had great reviews, however, I want to be clear that it’s important to do your own research because they are all unique in their own ways.