Tech matters 04
Three testimonials from young dumbphone users that prove disconnecting isn’t as scary as it seems.
Bridget – Nokia 225 4G
‘I knew that I wanted to engage more with the world, and I felt quite siloed in my online life.’
The Nokia 225 4G is the platonic ideal of a dumbphone: classic design, physical keypad. In a word, clunky. Bridget is a student and writer who, despite a few niggles, hasn’t looked back.
Bridget’s phone is the ‘dumbest’ and cheapest in our lineup, with no apps or search function and a deliberate retro ethos. ‘It’s been a bit rocky and I haven’t fully made the switch yet because the battery on my Nokia is just so bad. It’s always beeping.’
‘I’m between the smart and dumbphone. My current rule is that I leave home with my Nokia unless I’m planning on going somewhere new at night where I might get lost.’
‘I’ve been really pleased to develop a level of resourcefulness that I didn’t have before, like calling PTV for directions or drawing maps before I leave the house. I’m surprised by how slowly time passes when I’m outside, something I’ve never felt before.’
‘When my Light Phone comes in November, I think I’ll sell my smartphone and fully commit.’
Maddy – ALT MIVE
‘The memory of what life felt like when I had a phone that served a single purpose inspired me to make the switch and do some research on the viability of going full ‘dumb.'
Half flip phone, half smart phone, the ALT MIVE is a middle ground that can still perform as a smart phone when required, but not without friction.
‘I felt I’d still need access to a banking and GPS app to feel comfortable with the transition to the dumbphone. This led me to the MIVE. It has everything I need to go about my day, with the added benefit of being super clunky to hold and overall unappealing.’
The friction is the point; it’s the barrier that doesn’t let you slip mindlessly into bad habits.
‘I’m surprised with how much having a phone I don’t want to use has freed my mental space up to focus on other, more enriching things in my life. I feel more mentally and physically active in my day-to-day, in that I’m able to plan and execute an idea or goal without getting sidetracked or losing hours scrolling.’
The ALT MIVE is not strictly dumb, but for Maddy it serves its purpose: staying off her phone.
Tom – Mudita Kompakt
The Mudita Kompakt is a modern e-ink rendition of a dumbphone. Deliberately designed around an ethos of mindfulness over convenience, it offers the smart phone shape without all of the apps clawing for your attention.
‘I’ve become really comfortable with inconvenience—even when every restaurant seems to want me to order through a barcode and my friends laugh at me when I explain to the staff that my phone won’t let me.’
‘I’ve found myself relying on the help of strangers for directions and answers to questions that I once would’ve googled. I am more present and aware of my surroundings; people talk to me.’
The Kompakt’s deliberate design means it’s a bit pricier than some alternatives. You can find it for around AU$600, but for Tom that’s just the right price for peace of mind.
You approach the world differently when you’re disconnected from its digital codes. Once you step out the door, that’s it. No Google, no email, no social media. It’s liberating.