From the ages of zero to 17, I used a dumb phone that did not even have a sim card. I watched as all my friends got their own little internet portals with their own little phone numbers, and honestly, I felt estranged. So, when I finally was able to get my first smartphone with a number, it felt like some sort of precious foreign gadget in my grasp. I had been released from the string of my home’s wifi. I could talk to anyone at any time. The realm of possibilities was just a screen tap away. But that was the problem.
You might have seen me roam around campus with a Nokia 2780 flip phone – I’ve graciously named her Franny if you were wondering. In fact, I have been stopped by others who envy my slow stride in technology and often get told “I’ve always wanted one of those!” But this inconvenient shift was one I did not choose for myself. Instead, my reasons were due to the fact my smartphone’s microphone died.
Back when I was younger, I had the fake Cheetah Girls flip phone that raved their song “Amigas Cheetahs” every time you opened it. Though it had literally no function other than to remind the world of that specific song’s existence, I felt pretty much unstoppable when I snapped the lid shut. I mean, how could you get more sassy and classy than that? So, when I was forced into buying this flip phone, I admit to being just a teensy bit jittery to get the real deal. And it did not disappoint; however, not everything is as glamorous as it seems.
There are small luxuries most of us probably don’t think about when using our smartphones. One is the speaker phone function. When using my flip phone, sure I can have you on speaker… but then I’m automatically muted. It became especially annoying while driving or cleaning. A simple sentence via text becomes an endeavor as well. In fact, as I become more accustomed to using the multi-tap functions of the buttons, I find myself thinking in terms of numbers instead of words. For instance, the letter C is not C, per se, but rather 2-3 (button two pressed three times). But the one that is the most inconvenient is the slow reaction times. I guess I’ve been spoiled over the years by how quickly my phone can load caller ID or a YouTube video or even a game because I become impatient having to wait just a couple more seconds than usual with my flip phone. And don’t get me started on the absolute pain Google Maps is.
But, lots of people want one. According to an article “Smack it closed or whip it open: Flip phone sales are surging again” written in 2024 by Jennifer Jolly in USA Today states: “Sales of simple flip ‘feature’ phones − not the snazzy new Samsung Galaxy Flip5 or Fold5 smartphones − are up in the U.S. for the second year. According to the tech news site ZDNet, searches for flip phones are also surging, up ‘15,369% over the past year among Gen Z and younger Millennials,’ writes contributor Artie Beaty.” Within our culture, we have strong nostalgic ties to flip phones; however, the rise in popularity for this device is usually not linked to wistful feelings for the past, but rather a brain break from an overstimulating world.
I have to admit, the numbers don’t lie. and it appears my overall smartphone screen time has dropped 13% since getting my flip phone. My average time on my iPhone, which still has Instagram, Spotify and my school apps, is now just three hours, and it has only been going down since. The funniest part about this is the fact I hadn’t even noticed the change since my time has been filled with doing other hobbies.
When I wake up in the morning I find that I am more likely to forget my iPhone rather than my flip phone. When I need to check the time, I inherently pick up the one with all the buttons instead of the flat-screened one. As I wait in lines, I observe what is around me or talk to someone. If I feel bored or restless, I write or doodle instead of doom scroll. I don’t think having social media or a smartphone is terrible; heck, I still use both pretty often. But having to go down to a dumb phone has almost realigned my focus. So, if you have been looking for a sign to ditch your smartphone, to stop using one when going out during social events or just to have one for whatever reason, I think this might be your sign.
