6 best dumb phones for downgrading down to the basics
While the latest technology is becoming increasingly smarter, more and more people are choosing to make this ‘dumb’ switch.
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I still remember my very first mobile phone. After relentless begging, my parents finally gave in, and I found myself the proud owner of a Nokia phone.
The dark blue mobile, complete with stylish antenna, barely fit in the pocket of my school dress. But the design had its perks: I am convinced to this day that I could have thrown it into a volcano and it would have come out unscathed. Modern smartphones could really learn a thing or two here.
Add to that the ability to while away the hours with nothing more than a classic game of Snake, and owning a mobile used to be much simpler.
Now, don’t get me wrong. As a tech journalist, I’ve loved watching new technology come in leaps and bounds. But it can be overwhelming.
While smartphones now allow us to browse the internet, stream videos, and stay connected on social media, they’ve also become a massive time suck. Recent statistics by Worldmetrics.org show that, on average, Australians spend over three hours a day on their mobile phones. So, is it time to go back to basics?
In recent years, brands like HMD (the manufacturer behind Nokia) and Light Phone have reported spikes in demand for their “dumb” phones. Videos about dumb phones have also raked in hundreds of thousands of views on social media app TikTok, as users try a ‘digital detox’ to cut back on screen time and distraction.
Despite the growing intrigue though, dumb phones only make up a tiny portion of Australia’s mobile phone market. So, what exactly is a dumb phone, who are they for, and should you buy one?
Scroll on for our round up of the six best dumb phones available in Australia.
BEST DUMB PHONES
Nokia 3210 4G Y2K Gold, $129 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Nokia’s 3210 really is the OG dumb phone. First released in March 1999, the iconic phone made a reappearance earlier this year to mark its 25th anniversary. Now equipped with a colour screen, a 2-megapixel camera, a longer battery life, Bluetooth 4G connectivity, and a new coat of paint, the minimalist phone has some modern upgrades while keeping the simplistic charm of the original device.
Plus, it still includes Snake, so you can indulge in nostalgia trying to beat your high score.
Opel TouchFlip 4G Mobile Phone, $169 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a flip phone, Opel’s Mobile TouchFlip 4G comes highly recommended by shoppers. The low cost phone features a 2.8-inch touch screen, a 1400mAh battery, a 2MP rear camera, Bluetooth, and even instant messaging service WhatsApp.
Designed with seniors in mind, the phone’s touch screen is M4/T4 hearing aid compatible. It also has large, bright keys, extra-large font displays, and a talking keypad option. The easy-to-use SOS Emergency Call and SMS feature can be activated with a simple press, calling and sending texts to up to five contacts, complete with the user’s Google map location.
One five-star reviewer on The Good Guys site commented: “(I) bought this phone for my 84 year old mother. It’s simple and easy to use after several years of trying a number of other phones.”
Nokia 2660 Flip Pop Pink, $129 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Nokia’s 2660 is another great flip phone option. Available in a range of fun colours like hot pink, this retro phone comes with an affordable price tag of just $129.
It features a 2.8-inch main display, large and easy-to-use buttons, a rear camera for taking happy snaps, a 1450mAh battery, and even an FM radio.
The feature phone is also hearing aid compatible and includes an in-built emergency button that can contact up to five loved ones when pressed.
Opel BigButton M 4G Mobile, $129 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
When it comes to uncomplicated feature phones, it doesn’t get much more basic than Opel’s BigButton M 4G. It’s mainly designed for calls and texts, providing hearing aid compatibility and large buttons for those who need them.
With basic features like Bluetooth, GPS, and basic web browsing too, it’s a great entry into the world of brick phones.
Nokia 8210 4G, $118.98 at Woolworths
What You Need To Know
If you’re someone who frequently forgets to charge their phone, Nokia’s 8210 is perfect. This dumb phone can deliver up to 27 days of standby time, meaning you’ll get weeks of battery life if you aren’t using it constantly.
It also features a 2.8-inch display, an in-built MP3 player, wireless FM radio, 4G connectivity, and the solid build quality of older Nokia phones.
Light Phone II, $299 at The Light Phone
What You Need To Know
As its name suggests, the Light Phone II is the lightest phone available, weighing in at just 78g. The minimalist mobile focuses on essential functions like making calls, sending texts, and using a basic map app, making it perfect for those looking to reduce screen time.
One of its standout features is its low-power consumption electronic paper screen, similar to the e-ink displays found in the best eReaders. This makes it gentler on your eyes and easy to read in direct sunlight.
The Light Phone II also includes hotspot/Bluetooth capabilities, music and podcasts, and a 950mAh battery. However, it is more expensive than other dumb phones on this list, and you’ll need to use an international version of the phone that’s only compatible with certain Australian mobile providers.
You can check the device compatibility here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
To help answer your dumb phone questions, we spoke to Brenden Folitarik, General Manager for Australia and New Zealand at Human Mobile Devices (HMD).
WHAT IS A DUMB PHONE?
A dumb phone is essentially a mobile that’s been stripped back to its original intent, focusing on basic features like phone calls and texting. Most include basic access to the internet, but they lack social media and all the apps you would find on a standard smartphone.
They’ve long been a popular choice for seniors who don’t want the bells and whistles of a smartphone, and for parents who want to give their child a phone for easy communication, but who don’t want them on social media apps.
But now they’re becoming enticing to those looking to ditch the ‘doom scrolling’, cut back on screen time, put renewed focus into other aspects of their life, and save themselves some cash
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN A DUMB PHONE?
When looking for the best dumb phone, Folitarik’s advice is fairly straightforward: “make sure the phone does what you need it to do!”
“Obviously they are feature phones for a reason but some have more features than others,” Foltarik says. “The Nokia 3210, produced by HMD for example, is 4G VOLte (which stands for voice over LTE), and comes with a torch, a range of other features and of course Snake, a personal must-have!
In all honesty, as long as it is stylish and has the ability to talk and text, that’s what you’re really looking for!”
WHAT IS A DIGITAL DETOX?
“The idea of a digital detox is to switch off from the online world and focus on the here and now – to be present”, Foltarik says. “Dumb phones/feature phones have a range of benefits, the main one being the ability to switch off from the constant notifications of a smartphone and switch on to being present in real life.”
“There are more and more people around the world, including many Australians, who are moving to a feature phone either permanently or for weekends and other short periods to have a ‘digital detox’. Dumb/feature phones take a good portion of this away, whether it be for a short-term reprieve, or a longer-term move.”
SHOULD I GIVE MY CHILD A SMARTPHONE OR A DUMB PHONE?
“Because every family and situation is different, there cannot be a blanket ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer,” Folitarik says. “It’s clear that Australian parents are struggling to find the balance between giving their children the benefit and freedom of connectivity while also teaching them the responsibility that comes with it.”
Recent research by HMD for ‘The Better Phone Project’ revealed that 77 per cent of Australian parents think that social media puts their children under too much pressure, 74 per cent say it’s not good for their child’s mental health and 54 per cent want more support to help them manage their child’s screen time.
If you share similar concerns, giving your child a dumb phone could be a good option. However, providing a smartphone doesn’t have to be negative. By setting rules around phone use, implementing screen time limits and parental controls, and discussing the potential risks of online interactions, you can help ensure your child uses a smartphone safely and responsibly.
More tech coverage:
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 review
- Samsung Galaxy A55 review
- iPhone 16 Pro rumours: 5 new features we’re expecting to see
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