9 dumbphones to help curb your screen addiction
Since 2011, the share of Americans who own a smartphone has skyrocketed from 35% to 90%. Also on the rise? The percentage of Americans who feel like they’re addicted to them. Now, the market for “dumbphones” is quietly booming to help people curb their screen time. These stripped-down cell phones will keep you offline but reachable.
Understanding Feature Phones
Also known as “feature phones,” dumbphones are deliberately designed to be less alluring than their smart counterparts. This means fewer capabilities — many are simply early model cell phones, doing little more than calling and texting. Some are even designed to look boring, with black and white screens replacing brilliant screens and colorful app icons.
Even if you don’t think your smartphone usage rises to the level of “addiction,” a dumbphone could help you spend less time doomscrolling or obsessing over social media and more time on activities that are better for your productivity and mental health. While you could, in theory, dumb down your current smartphone by deleting apps or blocking your access to them using a service like Unpluq or Brick, that approach requires a level of willpower that not everyone possesses — you can always reinstall TikTok on your iPhone, but with most dumphones, you won’t even have access to an app store.
Choosing the Right Device
The right dumbphone gives you everything you need — and not a single feature more. Once you decide you want a dumber phone, you then need to figure out which features you can’t live without: Will you be lost without a navigation app? Couldn’t imagine life without a camera in your pocket? To make it easier for you to navigate the dumbphone landscape, we’ve compiled details on several options, ranging in cost from $80 to $800.
| Model | Cost | Status | Key Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light’s Light Phone 2 | $299 | Available now | Calls, texts, navigation, music player |
| Light’s Light Phone 3 | $799 | Available February 2025 | Light Phone 2 features plus camera and flashlight |
| Lively’s Jitterbug Flip2 | $79.99 | Available now | Calls, texts, camera, alarm |
| Mudita’s Pure | $369.99 | Available now | Calls, texts, alarm, calendar, flashlight |
Light’s Light Phone 2
May be for you if… you want a phone that’s minimal on features and size. The front face of the Light Phone 2 is only slightly larger than a credit card, making it the smallest phone on this list. It features a music player, navigation, and basic tools like a calendar and calculator. However, it may not be for you if… you’re a quiet talker, as some reviewers have noted that it often picks up background noise during calls.
Light’s Light Phone 3
The Light Phone 2 was already packed with features (as far as dumbphones go), and the addition of a flashlight and camera to the stack makes the Light Phone 3 even more userful. May be for you if… you want the smartest dumbphone available. May not be for you if… you’re on a budget. Even at the heavily discounted pre-order price, the Light Phone 3 is one of the most expensive dumbphones on this list.
Lively’s Jitterbug Flip2
Lively designed the Jitterbug Flip2 specifically for senior citizens, giving it large buttons, a loud speaker, and hearing aid compatibility. It also has a button that, when pressed, connects the caller to a certified Urgent Response agent who can help in an emergency situation. May not be for you if… you like your current phone carrier — the Jitterbug Flip2 requires a Lively phone plan.
Mudita’s Pure
This device offers calls, texts, alarm, calendar, flashlight, and a music player. It is a suitable option if you care about Specific Absorption Rates (SARs). Unlike many modern devices, this phone does not feature WiFi capability, focusing strictly on essential communication tools.