Yes, Dumb Phones are Making a Comeback in 2024… But Why?

Although there is an obvious rise in VoIP technology due to the 2027 landline switch-off, in 2024, a rather unexpected turn moves towards the regeneration of ‘dumb phones’, implemented as cell phones that only serve voice calling and texting functions, which had become neglected in the previous years.

However, as high-tech, apps-filled, notification-filled and screen-time spilling over mobile phones become rampant, and most users are looking for a remedy. 

Lauren Davies of bOnline comments: “Switching off from technology, screens and the devices that keep us hooked is becoming increasingly important for people throughout the UK and even the world. The benefits of removing oneself from constant exposure to screens are well documented and more people than ever are seeking to benefit from this and enjoy the health and mental health benefits.

What is a Dumb Phone?

A dumb phone, as the name implies, is the opposite of a smartphone, offering only basic functions like calling and texting.

These devices focus on simplicity and are designed to be less distracting than feature-packed smartphones.

While they lack the advanced capabilities of modern phones, their minimalist design provides a more straightforward, less addictive experience. Over time, many users have begun gravitating toward these basic models, seeking relief from the complexities and constant notifications of today’s digital devices.

The Digital Switch Over

With the international networks coming to the 5G level, several remote switchovers are taking place that isolate countries from the older mobile devices market in certain areas. This technological transformation is creating some sort of separation among consumers.

Traditional phones, which strip away unnecessary features and solely rely on basic calling and text messaging, have become a haven for people inundated with the various aspects of online platforms.

Introduction of 5G Technologies

The transition to the next generation of wireless networks, known as 5G, has ceased the accessibility for some older phones, leading some users to begin assessing their current high-tech gadgets and wonder if there is any need for one more such device at all, or whether a basic phone will be sufficient for their needs. This change has created a new space for feature and retro phones and the renaissance of the once lost brands such as Nokia, which now boasts of lightweight and simple design with long battery life, tackling the needlessness of unnecessary fussy digital elements.

Will It Affect Businesses in Any Way?

From a business standpoint, the emergence of dumbphone return offers both threats and possibilities. Smartphone-dependent industries revolve around smartphone usage for effective communication, social media promotion, and managing clients.

The shift from these gadgets could harm business processes that integrate mobile devices and mobile notifications. Businesses have incorporated smartphones into their processes, from remote working tools to interactive social computing workplaces with instant messaging capabilities such as Slack.

How Can Smart Phones Be Profitable?

Nonetheless, there is also a chance for companies to profit from this phenomenon. Companies that cater to consumers’ attention span deprivation such as the slow-living culture are likely to thrive as more people turn away from fast-moving modern technology. 

Similarly, there may be companies whose businesses are in security or any kind of professional services that will issue dumb phones to workers for some routine work that cannot be performed face-to-face on video calls. These work-constraining devices could manage distractions enabling better focus and also decreasing potential cyber threats as a result of installation of unnecessary applications.

A Digital Detox

Many researchers have noted that accidents caused by smartphone overuse cause stress, anxiety and other conditions which aggravate the psyche of an individual.

There’s a lot of noise, notifications constantly begging for attention, and social media that one has to log in to even on weekends. Stressful living seems to have become the new normal. As coined by the American Psychological Association, ‘screen fatigue’ as a term has become more prevalent now than before, more so during the years of the pandemic when most activities were carried out on a computer.

How Dumb Phones Reduce Stress

Dumb phones alleviate such stress by getting rid of the thousand and one activities one can do using a smartphone and as a result one longs for peace.

Since there are not many apps and hence not many notifications to check, these devices encourage people to disengage themselves and seek eye-to-eye conversation with people instead of gradually increasing the amount of time spent watching screens.

Can Dumb Phones Enhance Quality of Life?

Studies have shown that excessive use of technology tends to decrease the quality of sleep, heightens stress hormone levels, and negatively impacts attention spans.

Nevertheless, you can always go back to dumb phones, which if made popular, would probably restore healthier habits like reading or exercising instead, or just relaxing without a gadget in hand. This is also in step with the growing popularity of practices where people spend days without touching their phones. 

Younger Generations Are Changing The Way We Communication

One of the most intriguing aspects of this resurgence is its impact on communication, particularly among younger generations. Communication through mobile telephone by Gen Z and Millennials has not been favoured and e-mail and phone call use is becoming less common. Previous generations were accustomed to calling as their main communication line,  however, younger generations are living in an age where using messaging tools and social media to contact is the norm.