★A really stupid phone★
A dumbphone is a mobile phone that lacks most or all of the advanced features modern smartphones have, focusing on core features like texting and calling. This could be something as simple as a smartphone with all the social media apps deleted, but most dumbphone users like myself go the nuclear route and ditch our smartphones altogether and replace them with flip phones.
I got a flip phone for two reasons: 1.) I was tired of wasting my entire day doomscrolling. I would deliberatly seek out content that would anger or upset me. Social media became a way to distract from my real life at best, and a self harm method at worst. 2.) I just find flip phones more aesthetically pleasing! You can add phone charms and stickers all over them, they often come in fun colors, and it's so fun to snap it closed! I mean, there's only so many ways to customize a smartphone.
I've been using a flip phone for about two years now and I can honestly say it's been the best decision ive ever made. I have so much more free time (like time to make this website), and feel a lot less anxious. There are a few hurdles, namely online banking and the sort, but I've found there are often analog solutions available. I know not everyone can afford to go complete dumbphone, but If you're even just a little bit interested, then I can't recommend it enough!
★Nokia 2780★
The Nokia 2780 was the first flip phone I got. I wanted something cheap, simple, and easy to set up just to get a feel on if I'd even like using a flip phone. They're super easy to find second-hand on Ebay. I got mine for about $60, unlocked (meaning it's not tied to any one network provider), and compatible with any carrier in the US. Set-up was as simple as switching my SIM card from my old phone to the new one.
It runs on KaiOS and while it can definitely get on the internet, it's not very practical. The build does feel pretty cheap, kinda like a Fisher Price toy phone, with a thick plastic shell, large, squishy keypad, and deep inset screen, but for a test phone, it's pretty good!
You can't install any social media apps on it, but you can play Snake on it so thats a plus! The camera is pretty shit but in an endearing kinda way. It does have a music player, but I found it rather buggy and impractical.
Pros
- inexpensive
- easy to find
- compatible with
most carriers
Cons
- cheap feeling build
- kinda looks like a toy
- damages easily
Overall, if you just wanna try out using a flip phone, then this is a good phone to start out with. I imagine it would be great for those with dexterity issues, too. I wouldn't really recommend it if you want something stylish, though. Not a bad phone, just not the best.
★Kyocera 902kc★
The Kyocera 902kc is the second flip phone i got, right after the Nokia. I wanted something stylish, durable, and most importantly, could hold phone charms!!!! I would have to look outside the US for something like that, which led me to Japan. In the US, the flip phone market is rather boring and mainly for the elderly, and while Japan isn't much different, their options tend to be far more sleek and appealing. Keitai (Japanese flipphones) often have far more "smart" features than American flip phones, some even running on Android! Sadly, very few work in the US either due to being restricted to Japanese mobile carriers, band incompatibility, or both. The only ones i've found that work are the Kyocera 902kc/903kc, the Kyocera KY-42c, and the Kyocera A202KC. They only work on T-mobile and the carriers that use T-mobile towers like Mint Mobile and Tello.
You can definitely find some on Ebay, but I wanted to make sure mine was unlocked and actually usable in the US. I ended up ordering mine through a company in Japan called Kyoex.com. Their prices are a bit on the high side, I ended up paying $170 for a used one, but that included shipping, dealing with customs, unlocking, language changing, and if you ask, they'll even sideload certain apps on it for you! The customer service is amazing too! They respond quick, even if you message in the middle of the night (which i did a lot sorry Tominaga . ‸ .) so I think the price is totally worth it!
The build is so very beautiful! It's a sleek metal shell, small backlit keypad that feels good to press, and a vibrant, high resolution screen. It runs Android 8 so you can technically sideload apps onto it, I managed to get Tumblr and Instagram on there just for fun, but very few work properly.
I had to change phone carriers since I had Verizon and the Kyocera was only compatable with T-mobile carriers, which was a pain but at least Mint Mobile is cheap. The interface isn't as intuitive as the Nokia 2780 was for me but I'll chalk that up to lack of familiarity. The camera isn't much to write home about, comparable to the Nokia. The most egregious flaw is THE COMPLETE LACK OF VOLUME KEYS???? OR HEADPHONE JACK???? If you want to adjust the volume you have to go to your settings and manually do it which is insane to me.
Calls sound perfectly fine and texting is fine too, though I've had issues sending images. I may have to tweak my APN settings but I don't send images often anyway so It's not a big deal
Pros
- beautiful
- durable
- PHONE CHARMS!!!!
- allows sideloading
Cons
- only works on T-Mobile
- NO VOLUME KEY/HEADPHONE JACK
- pricey
Ultimately, despite it requiring a lot more work to set up than the Nokia 2780, I much prefer the look and feel of the Kyocera 902kc. It feels good to use, I don't feel like I'm holding a toy phone, it allows for more customization to both the phone and the interface itself, and it works perfectly fine for texting and calling. If you're just getting into flip phones, I dunno if I could recommend this one to you just because of how involved the setup is, but if that doesn't scare you off, then get the Kyocera 902kc over the Nokia 2780.
LuvstarKei vid on Kyocera