I came across an interesting article from the BBC discussing the growing demand for “dumbphones” (or as I like to call them - feature phones). The article highlights that while there is a significant interest in feature phones, finding them can be quite challenging.
Manufacturers are not producing them in large quantities, making it difficult for consumers to get their hands on one. This scarcity has sparked a discussion about the need for a balance between connectivity and digital detox.
What do you guys think of this? Do you think the role of basic mobile phones in our increasingly connected world is becoming more significant? Are people becoming too overwhelmed with technology & are looking to scale back? What do you guys think is driving this shift?
People are awakening to the fact that contstantly being on-line is not healthy for the mind, and want to take rest.
There are enough companies who make them, you only have to search for it. But the problem is that people who tend to want to detox, really don` t want to… they start complaining that they miss out on important apps, the dumb phone is to slow, typing is shit, want it to have navigation etc… in other words, they want to have a smartphone in a dumb/feature phone body… with Face ID, 10000 mp camera.
And yes, I read those comments about the phones.
And as long the sales of smartphones are going up, the great companies are not going to produce feature phones. They cannot make money out of it… ( advertising on apps )
Feature phones are at the other end of the spectrum from smartphones. We have plenty of options in both categories. If you want to make a difference, what is needed is something in between with users deciding to use functionality based on their preferences. Trying to reduce screen time should not have to imply sacrificing utility.
@mausje75 Actually, smartphone sales are falling globally.
The global smartphone market’s sell-through declined 8% YoY and 5% QoQ in Q2 2023 , according to the latest research from Counterpoint’s Market Pulse service.
In fact, the global smartphone market has been declining for eight straight quarters.
This downturn reminds us that change is constant and offers a chance to rethink, innovate, and grow.
“The global smartphone market now seems to be well past its rapid growth phase, with consumer replacement cycles getting longer, convergence in device innovation, and the emergence of a more mature refurbished market for smartphones hitting particularly the higher-volume low-to-mid-tier price segment demand.“
It’s great to see more people interested in feature phones as a way to stay connected without the distractions of a smartphone. Even though some think there’s not enough demand for big companies to focus on them, the drop in smartphone sales shows people are rethinking their tech use. It’s all about finding the right balance between being connected and enjoying a simpler life.
That is why I bought the Punkt MP02, a phone what is doing what’ s supposed to do. Keep my life simple. No directions, no mail, no WhatsApp, just call, text and Signal ( via Pigeon )… and some small clever things.
You have to search them in every corner of the earth, it is indeed a very rare site to spot them in the “wild”, but I will give you some tips if you find them.
Never look them in the eyes
Approach them never directly, but sideways
Just move very very slowly.
Whisper if you want to say something to them, never aloud.
If you neglect these tips, then you will lose them, to never find back…ever!!!.. be warned!
Sales of smartphones have dropped because people are keeping phones longer. For many people, a smartphone is a computer combined with a phone and camera. They do not realise the effect this is having on their lives.
