Back to life: the best dumb phones for near-total disconnection
The smartphone has been one of the greatest technological feats of the current millennium – but, every so often, it’s good to tune out. Here’s how…
Connection, via a smartphone, is truly great – to a certain point. Having a map in the pocket to navigate yourself around unknown streets, the ability to sling messages to those on the other side of the world and access to vast hinterlands of information – whether for cheating in a pub quiz, or for cluing yourself up on the best T-shirts to buy or grooming products to invest in – are miraculous things, ones that arm many with knowledge and know-how.
Yet, it has often been noted that being plugged in doesn’t always carry its virtues, as the incessant ping of notifications (hourly news updates on global catastrophes; the avalanche of likes on Instagram; the boss’s Saturday emails) prevents us from switching off and taking respite. Lately, the low-key dumb-phone trend has taken flight, offering a basic alternative to its more souped-up sibling, with a severe lack of social-media apps and, therefore, browsing possibilities. Below, we outline a small edit of our favourites within the category – ones that still allow us to call and message those that we have to, but still keep us firmly away from the late-night doom scrolling.
For something robust
The Minimal Phone by The Minimal Company
The profile here – a full keyboard; a squat build – brings to mind the silhouette of a Blackberry, but the specs are far more limited with this offering. Core tasks, including calls, messaging and sorting out the calendar, are the focus, and the QWERTY buttons provide a tactile, throwback quality. The use of e-ink is also pleasant for the viewing experience (eye strain is minimised) and doesn’t drain battery – like old-school Nokia bricks, The Minimal Phone can go days without a charge.
For the design wary
MP02 New Generation 4G Voicephone by Punkt.
One of the stalwarts in the offline sector, Punkt.’s design is streamlined and feels nicely weighted in the hand (the body is fortified by glass-fibre and also features a textured finish), and the prosaic, easy-to-use look comes courtesy of Jasper Morrison: press the speech bubble to draft a message, and the phonebook icon if you want to make a call. The main draw is that it can be used as a hotspot for your other devices – so, though the internet is not easily accessible in the palm of your hand, the ability to connect is still there, should you need it.
For the gamers
The Boring Phone by Heineken x Bodega
A retro spirit is perhaps most evident in The Boring Phone – a collaboration piece between Heineken and streetwear retailer Bodega – given its flip-up mechanism, holographic stickers, see-through case and pixelated graphics. Snake, that all-time great for afternoon-killing, is also included, as is a traditional number pad. The headphone jack, FM radio, Micro-USB port and 0.3-megapixel camera round things out nicely.
For the task masters
The Light Phone II by The Light Phone
‘It’s an experience we call going light,’ reads this phone’s description, with its electronic paper screen (which eschews blue light, and, instead, makes use of black and white) intended to have a soft, gentle effect on the eyes. The shell is fairly simple, appearing like a cross between a digital alarm clock, an e-reader and an early-generation iPhone, and available tools include a calculator, timer, directions, voice memo, calendar, podcasts tool and a basic music player, meaning it’s at a halfway point between full-on functional and stripped-away. The phone is also unlocked, so users can swap their SIM card between their primary phones and this alternative.
Want more gear? These are the 5 best vinyl players that’ll spin your home audio to new heights…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
