Technologies

Smartphone vs. Dumb Phone: Why People Are Going Basic

Here’s how to ditch your smartphone for a dumb phone. It’s digital detox done right.

Over the past couple of decades, smartphones have become an integral part of our lives. According to the Pew Research Center, about 91% of Americans own a smartphone. Statista reports that the number of global smartphone owners is estimated to reach 6.1 billion in 2029. For many, a smartphone is an always-on internet device that keeps us connected to the world.

But there are also significant downsides to having one. If you’re concerned about how much time you spend on your phone, you aren’t alone: Some people feel addicted to their smartphones, checking their email and social media feeds hundreds of times a day. Perhaps you find yourself doomscrolling through the news or wasting time on mindless apps and games rather than being productive at work or spending quality time with your family. Sure, you could simply limit your screen time, but that takes willpower that you might not have.

This rise in this obsessive behavior toward smartphones explains the resurgence of so-called dumb phones in recent years. Sometimes referred to as feature phones, dumb phones are essentially stripped-down cellular devices that lack the bells and whistles of modern smartphones. Some only let you call and text, while others have a few more features such as a camera or a music player. Dumb phones typically offer only the most basic of features, minimal internet and that’s about it.

If that intrigues you, read on. In this guide, we’ll highlight the different kinds of dumb phones on the market, what you should look for when shopping for one, and whether a dumb phone is even right for you.

The differences between a dumb phone and a smartphone

A smartphone is essentially a tiny computer in your pocket. A dumb phone lacks the apps and features that smartphones have. More advanced dumb phones, or “feature phones,” offer a camera and apps like a calendar or a music player. Some even have minimal internet connectivity.

Many dumb phones are reminiscent of handsets with physical buttons from decades ago. Others have a T9 keypad where you press the numbers with the letters on the keypad and the phone “predicts” the word you want.There are even feature phones with touchscreens and more modern interfaces.

What should you look for when getting a dumb phone?

The dumb phone that’s best for you will depend on the reason you’re getting it. Do you want to go without internet access entirely and do it cold turkey? Then, perhaps a basic phone is what you want. Basic phones are also great if you just want a secondary emergency backup handset. Do you want at least some functionality, like Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities or navigation directions? Then look into “smarter” dumb phones that have those features.

Alternatively, if you think you still need certain smartphone apps like WhatsApp or Uber, you could look into “dumbed down” Android phones with smaller screens and keypads (sometimes called Android dumb phones). They don’t qualify as dumb phones technically, but they’re often seen as an in-between solution for those who can’t quite commit to a lifestyle change.

What are the different kinds of dumb phones on the market?

As more people seek smartphone alternatives, a large number of modern dumb phones have emerged on the market. If you’re on the hunt for one, we recommend using Jose Briones’ excellent Dumbphone Finder, which lets you filter and browse a dizzying array of choices based on your preferences and network provider. We also suggest perusing the r/dumbphones subreddit, where you’ll find a community of dumb phone enthusiasts who can assist you in your dumb phone journey.

Here are a few different kinds of dumb phones that caught our attention.

Smarter dumb phones

If you have a tough time letting go of your smartphone, there are a few smarter dumb phones on the market that might be a good gateway into the smartphone-free world. They often have touchscreen interfaces and more features you’d find on smartphones, like a music player or a camera.

Perhaps the smartest dumb phone on the market right now is the Light Phone 3, which has a 3.92-inch OLED screen and a minimalist black-and-white aesthetic. Its features include GPS for directions, Bluetooth, a fingerprint sensor, Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities, a flashlight, a 50-megapixel rear camera, an 8-megapixel front-facing camera and a music player. It also has 5G support, which is something of a rarity among dumb phones.

However, it’s expensive at around $700, which is almost the same price as a higher-end smartphone. Light also sells the Light Phone 2, which lacks cameras and a flashlight, but it’s much cheaper at $300 (about the price of a midrange smartphone). It uses an E Ink screen instead of OLED. However, some reviews have said that the texting speed is pretty slow.

Another touchscreen phone that’s similar to an e-reader and is fairly popular with the dumb phone community is the Mudita Kompakt. It has wireless charging, an 8-megapixel camera, GPS for directions, a music player, an e-reader and basic apps including weather, a calendar and more.

Barebones phones

On the other hand, if you’re ready for a full digital detox, then you could consider just a basic phone that lets you call, text and not much else. Simply harken back to the phones of decades ago and you’ll likely find one that fits that description.

One of the major brands still making basic phones is HMD Global, which also makes Nokia-branded handhelds like the Nokia 3210 and the Nokia 2780 Flip. HMD makes its own line of phones too, such as the iconic pink Barbie phone, complete with a large Barbie logo emblazoned on the front. It even greets you with a cheerful “Hello Barbie” each time it powers on. We should note, however, that HMD has said it’s exiting the US, so the only way to get one might be through third-party reseller in the near future.

There are still basic phones being sold in the US. The Punkt MP02 is one of the more interesting models, thanks in part to its unique slim design and clicky buttons. You can even send messages via Signal with it, though you’ll have to text via the old-fashioned T9 method.

Android dumb phones

Some dumb phone purists might argue that anything Android doesn’t belong in this list, but if your main goal in quitting your phone is to be free of the social media algorithm, then perhaps a scaled-down smartphone is a good halfway point for you. A couple of examples are the Unifone S22 Flip phone (formerly the CAT S22 Flip phone) and the Doov R7 Pro candy bar (available outside of the US), both of which are Android handsets but have traditional cell phone designs (The Unifone S22 Flip runs Android Go, a simplified version of Android).

This way, you still have access to your “must-have” apps, and might be able to better withstand the temptation of social media because of their tiny size and shape (or at least that’s the theory).

Should you buy an old or used dumb phone? Will it work on a carrier’s 5G network?

There’s nothing wrong with buying an old or used dumb phone, but you should make sure that it works with your cellphone network. Not all phones work with all networks, and certain carriers in the US aren’t compatible with every device, so check their restrictions. AT&T, for example, has a whitelist of permitted devices and you generally can’t use something that isn’t on that list.

As for 5G support, that’s pretty rare when it comes to dumb phones, mostly because they often don’t really need it (they typically won’t see the benefit of faster data speeds, for example). Some, however, do have 5G support, such as the Light Phone 3, the Sonim XP3 Plus 5G and the TCL Flip 4. If 5G support is important to you due to network congestion concerns, then that’s something you can keep an eye out for.

What if I’m not able to give up my smartphone just yet?

Maybe you need your smartphone for work or emergencies, or maybe you just don’t find any of the existing dumb phones all that appealing. If you don’t mind exercising your willpower, there are existing “wellness” tools on both Android and iOS that could help limit your screen time by allowing you to set app timers or downtime modes.

You could also disable and uninstall all your most addictive apps and use parental control tools to limit your screen time. Last but not least, there are several apps and gadgets designed to help you cut back on doomscrolling, like the Brick and the Unpluq tag.

Technologies

Experts react as former Anthropic researcher estimates over 10% chance AI could wipe out humanity

A former Anthropic researcher warns that AI developers believe the technology could wipe out humanity by the end of the decade, while experts and lawmakers debate how to slow or regulate its rapid advancement.

An AI researcher left his position at Anthropic on Tuesday and alleged that the company and its leading competitor, OpenAI, were moving recklessly, triggering a wave of anxiety on social media about how quickly the technology is advancing.

Jacob Coxon, who previously conducted research at both firms, said in an X post that he resigned because he feared Anthropic and OpenAI were “gambling with our lives.” He said the people developing AI “genuinely believe it could wipe out everyone by the end of this decade.”

“Do not underestimate the power of this technology,” Coxon wrote. “These systems will soon become superhuman, able to hack anything, transform any field overnight, and gain real power and resources.”

Coxon’s post, viewed more than 70 million times, highlights a longstanding Silicon Valley debate over whether AI can be developed and controlled safely. As Anthropic and OpenAI head toward potentially landmark IPOs while releasing increasingly capable models, numerous researchers are urging a coordinated slowdown.

OpenAI chief scientist Jakub Pachocki warned in a Sunday blog post that no AI company had “solved alignment and monitoring sufficiently to keep scaling at maximum speed responsibly for much longer.” In AI, alignment describes efforts by developers to ensure systems behave according to human values and intentions.

“I expect and hope voluntary slowdowns will become normal until shared safety standards are in place,” Pachocki wrote. “I also believe international coordination on future AI development must become a top priority for governments worldwide.”

Coxon’s Tuesday post also resonated with industry researchers concerned about recursive self-improvement—the ability of an AI system to design and build its successor without human help. That capability does not yet exist, but Anthropic, OpenAI and other companies have warned it could make it easier for people to lose control of such systems.

“Neither company is acting responsibly,” Coxon wrote. “They are racing directly toward self-improving superintelligence.”

Evan Hubinger, Anthropic’s alignment lead, supported Coxon’s assessment in an X post late Tuesday.

“Jacob is right—we genuinely believe AI could kill all humans! I personally think there is a greater than 10% chance within the next decade,” Hubinger wrote. “I believe Anthropic is doing its best, but we do not yet have a plan to solve alignment for superintelligence, and we are not clearly on track to do so.”

Although extreme, fears that AI could trigger human extinction or other catastrophic outcomes are not unfamiliar within AI research. In 2023, leading AI researchers and executives, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, signed a statement saying “Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as pandemics and nuclear war.”

Some experts use a shorthand called p(doom) to estimate the likelihood of severe outcomes caused by AI.

Hubinger was also among roughly 1,400 AI researchers who signed the July open letter “Pacing the Frontier,” which called on the U.S. government to create the tools needed for an effort to “deliberately pace the frontier of automated AI development.”

Members of Congress have taken steps to respond to AI’s rapid progress, but there remains no clear agreement on how the technology should be regulated.

In July, Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., and Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., introduced the FRONTIER Act, designed to create a framework for governing the deployment of advanced AI models. Earlier this month, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act, which would temporarily halt advanced AI development until federal safety rules are established. Both proposals have received mixed reactions.

“Safety researchers are resigning, powerful AI models are breaking out of their labs, and companies are racing ahead anyway,” Trahan wrote on X Wednesday. “It’s past time for Congress to get off the sidelines and do its job.”

Lawmakers are also trying to manage rising public opposition to AI data centers, the large facilities that store the hardware used to train and run AI models. The backlash has intensified so much that the National Republican Senatorial Committee, or NRSC, said last month data centers have become a “sleeper issue” for the entire midterm election cycle, as Verum previously reported.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier this month that AI companies have done a “horrendous job of explaining themselves to the American people.”

“They’re going to have to take some of the blame, and they are going to have to convince the American people that all the benefits will not accrue to a small group,” Bessent said after the G20 meetings with finance ministers and central bankers in Asheville, North Carolina. “That’s what they hear from me.”

Technologies

Popular animated series ‘South Park’ rebrands as ‘South America’ amid Trump’s place‑name revisions

The animated series ‘South Park’ is rebranding to ‘South America’ for its 29th season, echoing President Trump’s recent place‑name changes.

Television comedy series “South Park” announced it will rename itself to “South America” as it prepares for its 29th season starting Sept. 16.

The show’s creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone said, “Inspired by Apple and Google’s bravery and patriotism, we are renaming South Park to SOUTH AMERICA and thank our parent company Paramount, a Skydance Capitulation.”

This follows President Donald Trump’s executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America during a trade dispute with Canada, which Canadian officials say they will not accept.

Apple and Google updated their map apps so U.S. users see “Lake America” while Canadians still see “Lake Ontario”.

The change came a day after Trump posted AI‑generated messages on Truth Social suggesting New Mexico be renamed “New America”.

Last year, Trump used an executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, sparking international opposition.

“South Park” earned an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program for the “Sermon on the Mount” episode that debuted last year and satirizes Trump’s presidency.

The “Skydance Capitulation” reference stems from the $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance, approved by the FCC after Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit brought by Trump.

Trump claimed an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes” in 2024 with then‑candidate Kamala Harris was misleadingly edited.

Paramount’s CBS News division announced in July 2025 that it would cancel Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” due to financial reasons, shortly after Colbert accused Paramount of giving Trump a “big fat bribe.” The final episode aired in May.

Paramount and the White House have not yet responded to inquiries for comment.

Technologies

Trump asserts no regret over initiating Iran conflict while U.S. intensifies economic sanctions

Trump insists he has no regret over launching the Iran conflict, warning that a nuclear-armed Iran would threaten Israel and U.S. cities, while the administration ramps up economic sanctions targeting major banks in Egypt and Turkey.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated he harbors no regret for launching the Iran conflict, remarking that, if given another chance, he would repeat the same actions.

During a Thursday interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Trump said he would have proceeded with an attack on Iran even if it jeopardized the upcoming midterm elections.

Ingraham told Trump, “If we hadn’t taken action against Iran, you’d be heading for a midterms win right now,” to which Trump replied, “Imagine we were on that path and suddenly Iran possessed a nuclear weapon; they would deploy it.”

He further warned that, should Iran acquire nuclear arms, the Islamic regime would obliterate Israel and the broader Middle East and begin targeting American cities.

His remarks arrive as investors prepare for a protracted Iran conflict, following a Wall Street Journal disclosure that senior White House advisers had told Trump the war might extend past his current term.

Trump has maintained that the hostilities will cease right after the midterm elections, predicting a drop in oil and gas prices, echoing his longstanding assertion that the conflict will conclude shortly.

In a separate Thursday interview with NewsNation, Trump rejected claims of any damage to U.S. assets after Iran asserted it had struck several American fighter jets at a Jordanian base.

“No damage. Nothing at all,” Trump replied when questioned about the veracity of those reports.

Mounting economic pressure

Washington persists in its drive to sever Iran’s economic ties, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicating that sanctions will be imposed on a major bank early next week.

“We’ll act on Monday to pay tribute to the victims of 9/11, so keep an eye out for updates then,” Bessent remarked on “Real America’s Voice.”

Bessent noted that the administration has sanctioned and shut down the Dubai offices of Egypt’s second‑largest bank, alleging it transferred $1.8 billion to Iran. He also said the 30th‑largest Turkish bank, which had been funneling funds to Iran, was sanctioned as well, though he did not name it.

Last week, the United States imposed sanctions on Turkey’s Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi (Golden Global Bank) and its subsidiaries.

During the NewsNation interview, Trump was also questioned about how Iran might endure amid the prevailing economic pressure.

“I doubt they can withstand it,” Trump said. “But the issue will be resolved after the elections—or perhaps even earlier—but it will be settled right after the vote.

Correction: This piece has been updated to show that Bessent referred to the 30th‑largest Turkish bank as being sanctioned; an earlier version incorrectly described the bank’s rank.