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'Dumbphone' fans disconnect in face of smartphone dominance

26 Comments
By Glenn CHAPMAN

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26 Comments
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Or you can just remove or disable the apps you don't want on your smartphone. That is easier, cheaper and more convenient.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

I miss the green phones and phone cards.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Dumb phones are going away because the spectrum which the 2G and 3G service run on are being switched to 4G and 5G.

However, some phone makers do make dumb phones for 4G and 5G spectrum, notably Japanese ones, so at least dumbphones will continue to live on in Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Oh, PHS died today. RIP PHS.

https://www.nippon.com/en/news/yjj2023033100795/japan-ends-phs-wireless-communications-after-28-years.html

Japan Ends PHS Wireless Communications after 28 Years

SoftBank Corp. , the only company with PHS operations in Japan, ended its PHS service, used for such purposes as vending machine management.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

But "not many people come and say they want to keep TikTok, Instagram and Facebook," Briones said.

I love my iPhone and will always use one. Will not change. BUT I did delete my instagram and twitter accounts ages ago, although I still keep Facebook and Messenger to communicate with friends, and I don't use TikTok.

There is a middle ground. You don't have to go dumbphone to reduce your dependency on smartphones. Smartphones are the way to go.

The key is to be smart when using one.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

When I ask my spouse if she would swap her smartphone for a dumb phone she just gives me a dirty look. My iPhone is more powerful than my computer.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

God I feel old. He’s 27. If he was actually old enough to have lived part of his adult life without smartphones, I doubt he would be so enthusiastic about going retro.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Actually, I might to that one day. And instead of staring at the smartphone, I'll read comic books, like everyone did in the good old days. Especially while riding on trains.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

I’ve started writing letters to friends and family. They’re happy to get one. But answer by email or messenger. Ha!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Wallace,an iPhone is a spying device,that connects too others iPhone ,today is actually my phone first birthday ,Phonism , people are actually discriminated based on the kind of phone,they have especially by iPhone users Google Google iPhone Owners Discrimination

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Yrral

you are wrong

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I have stubbornly stuck to my old flip phone and have never owned a smart phone. When I show it to 20-somethings they say it reminds them of their childhood, which makes me feel insanely old.

According to my cell phone provider however they will stop servicing it in 2024 when they dump 3G, so my hand is finally being forced.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

There are only two things I miss about the old phones: 1) they stopped charging when they reached 100% even if you left them plugged in, which saves battery life. 2) I'll admit I liked the flashing antennas you could buy. haha.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

My iPhone and iPad are essential business devices.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"Why not just disable apps?". Using a flip phone is a status symbol. It shows that you recognize the dangers of social media. I use a flip phone mostly because I want to signal to everyone that I think we are addicted to technology. I still have access to a powerful tablet I can use just like a smartphone, but I aim to keep my time on the tablet focused. But yeah, I'm completely aware this is just a political message.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I use a 4G PAYG feature phone when out and about in the UK. PAYG with a feature phone is a much cheaper alternative to any contract.

When abroad, I take a smartphone for all the extras (FB, Google Maps, e-mail), working with a local pocket WiFi unit. My smartphone never has a sim card in it.

I still buy CDs and DVDs. Happy to use cash, cards or Suica but no interest in using an app to pay for things. I am a million miles away from being either Gen-Z or hipster, and my phone choice/use has no effect on my mental health.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I do miss my old J-Phone from 20 odd years ago. It predated the flip phones, and was one of the first phones to have a camera which could take 5Kb pics

I remember sending my mate back home pics from the phone via my phones email, which phones over there couldn’t do. He was astounded.

At that time Japanese mobile phones were light years ahead of the rest of the world.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Don't worry, if you chose not to use a smartphone the government can literally require that you rent one to install their tracking app. Or did everyone forget about that already?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Alternatively, you could exercise some self discipline....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

GaijinjlandApr. 1 02:35 pm JST

God I feel old. He’s 27. If he was actually old enough to have lived part of his adult life without smartphones, I doubt he would be so enthusiastic about going retro.

Really? To each his own. I loved the days when you couldn't instantly contact me; when I could be on vacation in some far-off backwater knowing that I cannot be reached by my girlfriend, employer, etc. Nowadays, people expect a reply immediately as if your smartphone is in front of your face 24/7.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Both my iPhone and iPad earn me money. People need to learn to switch their phones off or just ignore them during quiet times.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Everyone is entitled to their own lifestyle. If some people prefer flip phones, let them enjoy natural life for themselves. Also dumbphones is not a good name for it since it held its own during its prime days as it was effective enough for communication. Some people prefer to be zombies and rely on their smartphone by their own choice so it’s their life their decision. While a limited number have the restraint to use smartphone sparingly without using their time ( not wasting their time in their own minds ) on social media and other unnecessary apps! So it comes down to living your own life the way you prefer!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

wallaceToday  04:15 pm JST

Both my iPhone and iPad earn me money. People need to learn to switch their phones off or just ignore them during quiet times.

Would those still earn you money if you switched the phon off or ignored them during quiet times?

And why ignore during quiet times? On the contrary you suggest to not ignore during non-quiet times?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Would those still earn you money if you switched the phon off or ignored them during quiet times?

And why ignore during quiet times? On the contrary you suggest to not ignore during non-quiet times?

it not quite the same for me. I’m not an employee of a company but if I was when I finished my work time I would turn the phone off. I have my own business.

I make translations and transcribing on both my iPad and iPhone. And on my desktops.

I don’t receive much spam emails, about five a day. Most of my clients can contact me during normal office hours.

My phone is off for about 10 hours overnight with only my family who can call me.

I don’t have the problems many others have.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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