The Rise of Dumbphones: Why More People Are Ditching Smartphones for Digital Minimalism
Chances are you’re reading this on your smartphone. Maybe you clicked through from social media, a news app, an email, or simply opened your browser out of habit. You probably didn’t pick up your phone specifically to read this story—but here you are.
Smartphones have become an inseparable part of daily life. For some, they’re a necessity; for others, a habit—or even an addiction. Research shows that excessive smartphone use negatively affects sleep, mental focus, and overall wellbeing. In fact, studies reveal that just having a smartphone in the same room can influence brain function. Yet in less than two decades, these devices have gone from novelty to necessity.
But now, a growing number of people are looking to disconnect. Some want a digital detox to regain focus, while others are concerned about data privacy, mental health, or the constant pull of the attention economy. At the far end, some young people are even rejecting technology altogether, proudly calling themselves “modern Luddites.”
For many, the solution is simple: return to “dumbphones”—basic devices with limited functions, sometimes called feature phones or brick phones.
The Dumbphone Comeback
Despite the dominance of smartphones, feature phones remain surprisingly popular. According to Counterpoint Research, about 210 million feature phones were sold globally last year, worth $3.2 billion. While sales are declining in developing markets as people upgrade to smartphones, niche manufacturers in developed countries are reviving the market. Movements like #BringBackFlipPhones and initiatives such as Smartphone Free Childhood in the UK reflect a cultural push toward digital minimalism.
Petter Neby, founder of Swiss company Punkt, experienced smartphone overuse firsthand in the mid-2000s while using his Blackberry. “You just want to send a message saying you’re late, and suddenly you’ve answered three work emails,” Neby recalled.
In 2015, Punkt launched its MP01, a sturdy, keypad-driven phone designed purely for calls and texts. Its successor, the MP02, sells for $299 and emphasizes “digital minimalism.” Punkt now sells around 50,000 devices annually.
The Light Phone: A Lifestyle Alternative
Another pioneer in this movement is Light, founded in 2014 by Kaiwei Tang and Joe Hollier. Frustrated by the tech industry’s obsession with engagement, Tang wanted to create a phone that valued human time, not ad revenue.
“The problem isn’t the device—it’s the business model,” Tang explained. “Every free app is designed to keep you scrolling so your data can be sold to advertisers.”
The result was the Light Phone, first released in 2017. Unlike traditional feature phones, Light built its own tools from scratch—like messaging, maps, and a music player—ensuring no ads, no endless feeds, and no addictive design.
The latest model, the Light Phone III, offers 5G connectivity, fingerprint ID, and NFC payments. It costs $699, a price Tang defends: “It’s not just a phone—it’s buying back your time and attention.” Over 100,000 people worldwide now use Light Phones, despite the company refusing to spend on traditional advertising.
A Shift in Consumer Mindset
Not everyone wants—or can afford—a $699 minimalist device. Some opt for budget-friendly flip phones from brands like Nokia, now revived by HMD Global.
In fact, sales of Nokia flip phones doubled between 2022 and 2023. Adam Ferguson, head of product marketing at HMD, links this surge to social movements. “Over 61 million people have used the hashtag #BringBackFlipPhones,” he said.
In 2024, HMD teamed up with Mattel to release the Barbie Phone, a retro-style flip phone marketed without social media access. It quickly gained traction among parents wanting safer devices for children.
Phones for the Next Generation
HMD is also rethinking how children interact with technology. Its Better Phone Project led to the release of the HMD Fuse in August 2024—a smartphone that starts as a simple brick phone and gradually unlocks features as a child grows older.
By default, all apps are locked, including the camera. Parents can choose which functions to enable, forcing conversations around responsible technology use. “People are frustrated with how phones are designed, especially parents,” Ferguson explained. “The Fuse is about giving families more control.”
Why People Are Choosing Dumbphones
So, why are millions opting out of the smartphone race?
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Mental Health & Focus – Constant notifications and endless feeds contribute to stress and distraction. Dumbphones eliminate digital noise.
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Privacy Concerns – Unlike smartphones, feature phones aren’t constantly tracking user behavior. Some, like Punkt’s MC02, even market privacy-first interfaces.
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Parental Control – Parents want safer devices for children without the risks of social media or addictive apps.
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Lifestyle Branding – Companies like Light position dumbphones not as outdated, but as luxury lifestyle choices—minimalist tools for intentional living.
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Longevity – Unlike smartphones with short upgrade cycles, dumbphones like the Light Phone III are designed to last 5–10 years.
A Digital Future That Looks to the Past
Interestingly, the resurgence of dumbphones isn’t about rejecting technology altogether. Instead, it’s about reshaping how we use it.
Tang puts it simply: “We’re not anti-technology—we’re promoting a lifestyle that’s different from a smartphone-centric one.”
From Punkt’s minimal keypad phones to Light’s sleek, distraction-free devices and HMD’s family-focused innovations, the movement is reshaping mobile culture.
As consumers grow increasingly discontent with constant connectivity, dumbphones offer something rare: freedom. Freedom from the endless scroll, freedom from constant notifications, and freedom to live life more deliberately.
And while they may never replace smartphones, their growing popularity suggests that for many, less really is more.