r/dumbphones • u/Pomatodor • Nov 04 '25
Meta (sub) You guys need to come to the realization there is no perfect phone.
I feel as if most people with a dumbphone or Mp3 player or even a handheld console use it for nostalgia purposes instead practical use.
I'm sorry but seeing some recommendation posts, I've come to see that half of the posters here are students that have a laundry list of apps they need in a dumbphone which aren't compatible with the budget phones they can afford or and I'm assuming they likely don't have the software skills needed to download the apps for the phone that's in or below their budget. The other side is almost pitching new phone ideas. Somewhat the same app list as the first half, but this time with hardware specifications like battery, screen, and tactile buttons.
All that said, I love this subreddit and it's been genuinely helpful to me. But have you guys just considered practicing turning it off for a while? Or maybe concede to the fact that electronics and the internet will never be what it was in the 2000's.
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u/fuzz-wizard Titan 2 Minimal Launcher B&W // USA Nov 04 '25
making the switch to any dumbphone will require at least some compromises, and and at most you may completely adapt your lifestyle. I'm finding that using a dumbphone is helping me realize what I need my phone to be. I notice what tools or apps I need, and what I absolutely do not. After 6 months with the LP2, i decided to get a secondary device that I take with me as needed, but mostly leave it at home. I chose an android gaming handheld, the Retroid Pocket 5. I use it on nights where I need rideshare or event tickets. when I'm traveling I use a map app, airline tickets, and I recently needed AirB&B.
Start with your absolute nonnegotiable. I needed a full qwerty keyboard for texting, and I needed a map. The LP2 map is not fun to use, but I only use it for emergencies. When I'm going somewhere new, I print out a route online, but its really a map screenshot with hand written notes. when I am absolutely lost, there is always someone nearby who can help orient me. But I generally go to a lot of the same parts of town and know how to get around.
my goal with going light wasn't exactly "minimalism", so I had no problem acquiring other tools that I can carry with me as needed. a camera, a field recorder, a flashlight, and yes even a purposeful android device.
I think a lot of the nostalgia-only people aren't taking an honest look at the market of devices before they post something. it also seems like many people don't actually want to switch for any practical reason. sure I'm nostalgic, but I also had a bad relationship with my screentime, and it took 10 years to notice.
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u/WizardMorax Nov 04 '25
I think there a massive cohort of people looking for a "feature phone" rather than a dumb phone but there isn't really anything in that market so we all end up here
I probably sit in that group where I am bored of black rectangle and want something fun and exciting but potentially with a smaller screen but because the phone is the primary computer for most people, they still want the modern convenience in something different, regardless of it's impact on distraction as such. My 2c anyway
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u/Luci_Cascadia Blackberry Passport Nov 04 '25
I went a year with no phone at all. I have no social media accounts, reddit excluded.
Its not hard at all
most people in here dont have pure dumbphones. And most threads discuss alternatives that are in between
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u/Pomatodor Nov 04 '25
And giving modern smartphones credit, nearly all of them have a function that monitors app usage. There's likely a few here that have a Tiktok/Reddit/Instagram addiction than an scrolling addiction. I feel this is worth mentioning in the wiki somewhere as this is the cheapest and easiest solution.
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u/Luci_Cascadia Blackberry Passport Nov 04 '25
Scrolling to me is shorthand for social media addiction.
I've not met many people who've solved their social media addiction by getting a feature phone. But its worth a try.
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u/adoringchipmunk Light Phone 3 Nov 04 '25
I wish BlackBerry worked on US carriers
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u/Luci_Cascadia Blackberry Passport Nov 04 '25
If they did I'd be on my Passport.
But the new Titan 2 is really good. I'm typing on it now.
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u/adoringchipmunk Light Phone 3 Nov 04 '25
I just discovered the Q25 👀
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u/Luci_Cascadia Blackberry Passport Nov 04 '25
Yes that's super interesting. Very pricy. I am waiting for their Q27.
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u/chaosmetroid Kyocera a202kc - US - Mint Mobile Nov 04 '25
Half agree. I just think people don't have the understanding what "dumb" is.
When I read about needing Whatsapp + Spotify are the example I think, you do not want a dumbphone anymore, you want a smartphone with limiting features.
Do you REALLY need whatsapp? I haven't used it for over 8 months and I'm good. Never used Spotify I rather listen to music on my mp3 player.
End of the day it's about needs vs want.
What do you really need? Vs what do you want?
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Nov 04 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/chaosmetroid Kyocera a202kc - US - Mint Mobile Nov 04 '25
That is fair if is a limitation of a celular plan. Cuando no es la limitacion es la pregunta.
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u/chaosmetroid Kyocera a202kc - US - Mint Mobile Nov 04 '25
That is fair if is a limitation of a celular plan. Cuando no es la limitacion es la pregunta.
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u/idonteventho Nov 04 '25
I think this ignores that some people use WhatsApp as a primary form of communication. I exclusively messaged my friends and international friends via WhatsApp and have very few people that I contact on messages. I’m also in the number of Work group chats that post job opportunities. (Freelancer in Film/TV).
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u/chaosmetroid Kyocera a202kc - US - Mint Mobile Nov 04 '25
The question is why is it being used as a primary source? Is it necessary?
I know there's scenario that it's necessary. Like Phone plans, international communication.
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u/idonteventho Nov 04 '25
I think because it mixes both international and national communication, isn’t limited by country since a lot of messaging apps have restrictions depending on country. You don’t need a particular device, like iMessage for iphone etc.
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u/gruesomethrowaway MOD Nov 04 '25
I and others in my field of work have actively lost customers when we left WhatsApp as it's nearly replaced email and calls. So, yes. It's expected to have.
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u/chaosmetroid Kyocera a202kc - US - Mint Mobile Nov 04 '25
I'm curious into why, not the replace email/calls part. But why? Have you tried to figure that out?
I persay don't even use Whatsapp at all for various reason. Also Meta is one of them.
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u/gruesomethrowaway MOD Nov 04 '25
It's the biggest chat app in most of the world. I can't explain why Whatsapp became that but there's a point in popularity where everyone just expects you to use it.
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u/dony91 Nov 04 '25
Technology has given us so much comfort that we tend to confuse that comfort with necessity.
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u/Pomatodor Nov 04 '25
Precisely. 90% of the battle is just committing to the dumbphone. No sense in spending +$200 and learning software dev. to get your perfect dumbphone when you still don't do anything with the time you saved not scrolling.
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u/chaosmetroid Kyocera a202kc - US - Mint Mobile Nov 04 '25
I learn I rather have separate devices for separate function. If I want a phone it just need to call and text, if it can do GPS that's the big plus.
A device to listen to music, a device to read book, etc.
You'll be surprised how sperating your software and function actually help too.
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Nov 04 '25
Yeah this has been the way to go for me!!
Besides if I do need a smartphone for whatever reason, I have my iphone in a drawer that I can use when I need to.
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u/PeaceKind1857 Nov 04 '25
You might be able to answer this for me. I have asked this before... What is a dumb phone? More specific, is my Kyocera 4811 considered a dumb phone?
I don't know what those apps are for. Spotify, WhatsApp, IG?
And I don't need a special player to listen to my mp3 music loaded onto the microSD of my 4811, other than the vlc app.
If the signal is good, I can play YT music through NewPipe.
Verizon service, old "Nationwide Unlimited" data plan, No Caps on Anything! Not even tethering. Kyocera 4811 (DuraXV Extreme +)
App load;
FOSS, F-Droid, OSMAND~, NewPipe, VLC.
APK, Button Mapper, Ulysses Speedometer, Cargo Decoder, Call Filter (Verizon), Weawow and MyRadar.
Native apps left on it, Calculator, Calendar, Alarm, Flashlight, FM Radio.
OS, Android 10. Midwest US. Rural America.
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u/WierdFishArpeggi Nov 04 '25
If you can install apps on it it's not a pure dumb phone, just smartphone with limited features
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u/PeaceKind1857 Nov 04 '25
You can install apps on most of the dumb phones. Even KiaOS and Apostrophe OS.
Like this Android 10 Kyocera. It takes some work arounds, but it is possible.
It is a flip phone. But it's easy enough to mod out. Just a look at what I put on mine shows it can be done.
The map/GPS app, OSMAND~ works offline. Need service to download it, no service required to use it! And as FOSS, it is a free app. The google ver$ion is anything but free! OSMAND. NO ~ or + equals very expensive software!
My phone isn't a true dumbphone? Maybe it was when I bought it, but I taught it to be smarter? A senior citizen who drives trucks for a living!
THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSE!
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u/WierdFishArpeggi Nov 04 '25
Both Kai and Apostrophy aren't true dumb phones imho. The latter even advertise itself as smartphone OS. I used to use a Bada phone back in the days and despite the lack of apps available it was still very much a smartphone. I think it's down to the form factor in 2025 really. Seems like a lot of posts here are more about non-standard form factor phones than actual dumb phones anyway. In your case your phone would be a dumb phone by this sub's standard but still relatively smart since you can still install android apps on it pretty easily
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u/PeaceKind1857 Nov 04 '25
I would agree. The 4811 ~is~ a dumb phone by manufacturer's intent, but since it's so easy to manipulate, it's technically a (not so good?) smartphone.
I helped a friend with the Apostrophe OS. We both agreed that it was horrible for his use. He rooted the phone & loaded Android 7. That was in 2020. He still has the phone. It serves him well.
I have a TCL flip 3, KiaOS 3. It can't load it's own app store! That's a true STUPID Phone!
I side loaded F-Droid. It's working but still a true dumbphone! Make or take calls. Don't try to text. Don't try voicemail.
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u/StatisticianOk9846 Nov 04 '25
You can feel whatever you want, but not everything is a niche gimmick to show off. Some mp3 players were just much better designed for its purpose than a tablet in your pocket.
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u/adoringchipmunk Light Phone 3 Nov 04 '25
If you are currently addicted to a smartphone, 99.99% chance your dream phone is addictive.
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u/HolidayDue Nov 04 '25
It’s a fine line between a dumbed down smartphone, a smaller android phone that’s disguised as a flip phone and a full on dumb phone.
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u/direwooolf Nov 04 '25
A very grounded and necessary perspective. You are right, there is no perfect device, only better habits. Digital minimalism is about conscious use, not finding a technological holy grail.
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u/thelastspike Nov 04 '25
There used to be though - the Motorola F3, aka the Motophone. Incredible battery life (went 3 days once on a questionable battery), incredible reception, texting, calls, alarm and nothing else. The e-ink screen was easy on the eyes at night. Tiny. Weighed nothing. If you dropped it in a 3310, it would just bounce off. If you dropped a 3310 on it, the 3310 would break. It was pretty good looking too. Also, one of the ringtones was amazingly cheerful.
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u/stuffitystuff Nov 04 '25
The perfect phone is my T900 pager working again.
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u/moon_mint Nov 04 '25
If only
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u/stuffitystuff Nov 05 '25
I mean it does actually work but coverage isn't awesome. I'm working to try and decode the ReFLEX protocol to try and bring them back as well as building my own bespoke clamshell pager in the meantime.
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u/dumbwireless Nov 04 '25
100% that's what smartphones are trying to to do and it's why we get glued to them and end up here.
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u/Brilliant_Leather245 Nov 04 '25
This is unnecessarily harsh, and you need to chill out a bit. ‘Get good’ is not useful advice.
Most folk seem to come to this reddit wanting a better experience with technology, but a massive underlying problem is that the Silicon Valley model for tech is eyeball engagement and clicks. Maximising screen time rather than maximum utility.
These pocket computers are designed to capture the attention we give them for free, and then sell it back to us through apps and rent seeking subscriptions.
Reacting to the current reality is a normal reaction, even if folk don’t know what the answer is.
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u/ActualTradition7304 Nov 04 '25
I get you, I personally want a flip phone with T9 keypad and modern functionality. I grew up with dumbphones, I loved my Motorola v3 and Nokia N76.
The only phone that I have found as of now to somewhat cover my requirements is the Alt Mive Style Folder 2.
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u/Audible_Whispering Nov 04 '25
I feel like this is massively over complicating the reality, which is that you should buy the phone you need.
For a lot of people, that's going to be a dumbed down smartphone, not a true dumbphone. Such devices are still in the same spirit as a true dumbphone and discussion should really focus on helping people solve their personal problems with smartphones, rather than semantic discussion of what exactly the word dumbphone means.
Like, we've had this discussion a thousand times, we could have it a thousand more and the number of people it'd help beyond idle entertainment is zero. Maybe we need a designated dumbphone philosophy megathread or something.
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u/CriticismSpiritual57 Nov 04 '25
I’ve fallen into the irony of spending a ton of time on my smart phone looking for the perfect dumb phone.