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Ask HN: What “dumbphones” are available and viable in the US?

175 points| msftie | 7 years ago

There’s an increasing interest in “dumbphones” these days, but it seems that options for a basic phone are fairly limited in the US market.

If you have switched, what did you switch to? If you’re looking to switch, what are you considering?

171 comments

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[+] AngryData|7 years ago|reply
Last time I got a phone, which is a few years ago now, I looked up the cheapest shit flip phone walmart sells and went to the store with the model number. The guy I asked it for didn't even know they sold it but it was down in some closed stock case, it was model A117 I believe or something else really close to it and it was like $20. I must admit though, it is a step down in quality from my previous flip phone that finally died after it got ran over twice busting a corner and exposing a ribbon cable which eventually failed and killed the screen (likely from me fucking with it).

The downside is maps would be useful sometimes, especially once google cancelled their free text-for-directions service. On the upside, I don't have to charge it but once every few days and if I still got a good 12 hours of battery once it gets to the low mark.

My next phone I will probably do the same, and because im only spending 10-20 bucks, I figure if I don't like it enough I can easily get a new one. The one thing I would make sure is that you can use a microsd card to put a different ringtone, all the default tones are like the screeching of satan's dirty asshole.

[+] kiddico|7 years ago|reply
I've never heard of text for directions...

I wonder how hard it would be to set up a server connected to twilio, get the directions from google maps (or Open Street maps) and text it back. I might add that to my growing list of projects I'll likely never make.

[+] kpmcc|7 years ago|reply
Has anybody mentioned the Punkt MP-01? https://www.punkt.ch/en/products/mp01-mobile-phone/

I've had it for 2-3 years now and it's been pretty great. Granted service can be kinda spotty because it's 2G and I'm not sure how much longer it will be viable when 2G is phased out. It's also very expensive compared to dumb alternatives but I don't know of any other phone on the market that is so clean in terms of physical design and UX.

Punkt is making an MP-02 which will run on 4G I believe but I'm not sure if it will be as minimal. I think they're partnering with Blackberry to bring like secure email or messaging or something, which to me seems anti-dumphone, but I guess people expressed demand in a user survey...

[+] imglorp|7 years ago|reply
That's stylish hardware, but how do you feel about the price for what you get?
[+] setr|7 years ago|reply
>The MP01 is made in small production runs using top-grade components, and leaves that noughties retro-look behind.

...in favor of the 90s calculator retro-look behind

I'd need a big push to trust this phone, just based on its design aesthetic... its very close to "first thing I could think of, for modern dumbphone"

Its easy to imagine the rest of the engineering is similarly complex; I wouldn't be surprised if the higher cost was purely resulting from mistakes on their part

[+] mbowcutt|7 years ago|reply
That design looks so sleek.

I'd dream of something like this embracing 5G and open source firmware so users could add native encryption and other utility as they please.

Also, "Hashtag Key"

[+] CaliforniaKarl|7 years ago|reply
I have a "dumb phone", which in the context of my post means a phone that does calling and texting, and does not have WiFi. It is a backup phone in case my main phone dies, so that I can continue to do two-step auth in certain situations.

What I ended up doing was going on Amazon, to their Cell Phone section, pulling up the list of unlocked phones, and limiting the search to $50 or less. That got me a BLU Tank model (which does not run Android, and was not one of the "sends data back to the manufacturer" models) for something like $25.

It's interesting, though, in that although my phone doesn't do apps, or email, it still supports multimedia (music, images, video, via a microSD card). Also (like, I understand, many phones mainly used in the APAC region) it has an FM tuner, and includes dual SIM support.

To be clear, though, this is just a backup phone. I keep it charged, and I turn it on once in a while, but I don't use it regularly. Still, redoing my Amazon search shows that there are alot of models to choose from!

[+] dzek69|7 years ago|reply
> It's interesting, though, in that although my phone doesn't do apps, or email, it still supports multimedia (music, images, video, via a microSD card)

Well, that's what `dumb/feature` phones was doing at their times. There were Java applications, that could access the web/mail/stuff but I wouldn't consider them as real "mail/whatever support" as there were no notifications, background sync and stuff.

My suggestion to OP:

Buy refurbished Nokia 5310.

Pros: - it looks beautiful - it's size is just right - it works very fast, including multimedia - it has dedicated multimedia keys - good battery time (as every dump phone should have, comparing to smartphones) - cheap (Aliexpress prices are starting at $25, but see Cons before you buy)

Cons: - watch out for bad quality refurbs. Ask seller for real photo, this is an example of bad refurb: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Nokia/724717466.html - metal parts replaced with cheap looking plastic, both numeric keyboard and multimedia buttons looks not-solid - multimedia keys can be fragile from putting phone into your pants pockets. If metal part around the buttons sticks out - it will hook your pants material and start to stick out even more. I had used this phone few years and it was ok, but seen some people that had this problem

Suggestion number 2:

There are A LOT of dumb phones produced by sometimes not-well-known brands, but they are good ones. They are cheap and you can choose from many models. Get a friend from Europe to help you if you are located in US (I assume you are, maybe wrongly)

[+] duxup|7 years ago|reply
Not really sure I trust BLU after that whole previous incident. They were ok with sending that data back before... too bad as the R 1 HD was a great backup phone IMO.
[+] jkartchner|7 years ago|reply
Not sure if it qualifies as a dumbphone, but I'm eyeing the Lightphone. It's definitely more expensive than the old bricks, but way cheaper than the usual smartphone.

https://www.thelightphone.com/home/

[+] crispyambulance|7 years ago|reply
Phones are a real problem for people as they age or experience visual, auditory, motor-skills and cognitive decline.

For folks like that any kind of smartphone with "off-the-shelf" software is a non-starter-- too many options, too small, not tactile.

The problem with "dumb" flip-phones is that they tend to be small and slippery. An arthritic octogenarian will have a hard time even opening a flip phone.

The ones that are "designed" for old folks tend to be setup as "medical alert" devices-- a big red button on the back and all the drawbacks of a regular flip phone. They're more designed for paranoid family members than the actual users.

The phone I purchased for my octogenarian mother is an Alcatel "GO Flip". She has difficulty opening it and the buttons are too small. As a work around I programmed numbers "1","2","3","4" as a speed-dial to me and the rest as a speed dial to my brother. She knows to press "1" for me and "9" for my brother. I tell her to hold down the number until she sees my (or my brother's) picture. $75~ for the phone, $20/month for no-contract unlimited talk/text (she doesn't use text)-- that's it. That's the best I can do.

[+] synthmeat|7 years ago|reply
This doesn't come as surprise to me, as I see this becoming a problem for my sexagenarians too. So I train them when I can. Whatever future brings, they'll be at least a little better prepared for it.

Bonus tip - if you have a couple of genarians, drop same phones with different colors on them, they can help each other a lot. If any sales exec is reading this - sell them like that.

[+] seren|7 years ago|reply
Which makes me think, isn't it easier to set up a Google Assistant/ Echo to be able to call your relative ?

I don't understand why there isn't more focus in assistant to support elderly people because there is a huge market. (but maybe I missed it because I am not affected yet)

[+] ChristianGeek|7 years ago|reply
I would pay good money for a phone for my 84-year-old mother-in-law that has photo-based dialing and easy access to a ride service such as Uber or Lyft. That’s all she needs. As you point out, a smart phone is too small and too confusing with too many options.
[+] PenguinCoder|7 years ago|reply
I don't have an answer (yet), but I am tracking on KaiOS[1] for a future replacement. Once there is some decent and accessible hardware behind it, I feel it may be my next 'upgrade'. There's the Nokia 8110[2] but it's not available to me yet.

[1]https://www.kaiostech.com/

[2]https://www.nokia.com/en_int/phones/nokia-8110-4g

[+] pinewurst|7 years ago|reply
Note that Google (recent large investment) and Facebook are KaiOS “partners” so don't assume data privacy for very long.
[+] culot|7 years ago|reply
Too bad KaiOS is the only major project continuing work on B2G, as they have no respect for the project. They refuse to release the code they are required to open or the code they should open in the spirit of the project.
[+] wroman|7 years ago|reply
I got the Fsmart M5 off Amazon for $20 and is the size of a credit card.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UWT5DM4/

Works great on T-Mobile, with one exception: it cannot receive MMS, so you don't get notified if someone sends a photo or group text.

[+] busterarm|7 years ago|reply
When the 2G networks are shut down, this phone will no longer work.
[+] DennisAleynikov|7 years ago|reply
Samsung phones have a low power mode on everything from s5 and up that disables every function of the phone (every sensor and radio) except texting and calling and 4 apps of your choice. It's much smarter to just disable your current phone than to completely replace it with something inferior and harder to use like an old flipphone. Samsung also makes modern flip phones running Android that have all the same simplicity of being able to be closed and of course not having apps installed if you so choose.
[+] ddingus|7 years ago|reply
Newer models, and I have a Note 8 for reference, let you customize those modes, and will do 8 apps.

I use Chrome with file:/// to view docs and play media files while in the super low power mode.

Very effective. Standby is measured in days, and I have played audio files while camping for many hours without even coming close to a low battery.

My favorite feature on Samsung.

[+] bridanp|7 years ago|reply
This is a really good solution for someone who wants to go nuclear on the smartphone, but isn't sure. You'll find out quick if your willpower is the main issue.
[+] TheChaplain|7 years ago|reply
Looking at the answers here, why is it so hard to get a cheap phone in the US?

Last week in Europe I got an unlocked Nokia 105 Dual Sim for $12. It's the dumbest phone but with 30(!) days stand-by time on a single charge.

edit: added "unlocked"

[+] vertex-four|7 years ago|reply
Because since the cost of a phone has traditionally bundled into your contract, and prepaid plans just aren't a thing, even the most expensive phones look "cheap" month-on-month - so nearly everyone with just a little disposable income has a flagship Android phone or an iPhone because they can mostly afford it. Americans think of things as costing a certain amount of their budget per month, rather than pricing their total costs, due in part to the relatively easy (and normalised) accessibility of credit.
[+] fyfy18|7 years ago|reply
I believe US carriers have began to shutdown their 2G network, so 3G is a requirement. Most of these dumb phones only have 2G hardware though.

I’m not sure why the EU hasn’t done the same though.

[+] Assossa|7 years ago|reply
My mom just recently got a Alcatel GO FLIP which is one of the first phones with KaiOS. I messed around with it a little and was very impressed by the OS. If you're wanting to get a dumbphone, but not go back 20 years in technological advancement, check out KaiOS phones.
[+] masklinn|7 years ago|reply
Nokia's 8110 4G looks somewhat interesting, it's KaiOS, relatively basic on-board, but can act as a hotspot for your tablet or laptop.
[+] plants|7 years ago|reply
I just ordered one of those, I'm pumped. To me, the biggest selling point of KaiOS phones is the fact that they have GPS. That was the main reason it took me so long to get rid of my smartphone in the first place.
[+] tazjin|7 years ago|reply
I don't like the KaiOS philosophy of "you can't write software for your device unless we like the idea".

In order for mostly-dumb phone like that to be useful for me there are a few small things I'd need to sort out via software, but they won't allow it.

Stallman was right etc.

[+] abstractbill|7 years ago|reply
I'm thinking about downgrading to a Blackberry Classic. Not quite a dumb phone, but from what I've seen it's much more of a tool than an entertainment/social-media/time-wasting device, which is exactly what I'm looking for. There's no way I could do without navigation, so I don't think anything more dumb will work for me.
[+] am_lu|7 years ago|reply
I never switched. Still using my business class Nokia E72. It has a decent camera, sd card for storage, Opera browser for basic internet, HERE offline maps for navigation. And putty terminal for SSH connections to a remote system. Fits in my trouser pocket unlike the massive smartphones. I keep two spare ones in case it breaks. It broke once, i opened it up, cleaned the inside, put back together and it still works like new. Get them on second hand on ebay.
[+] fooker|7 years ago|reply
Are there any that can act as dumbphones and hotspots for my tablet or laptop?
[+] evincarofautumn|7 years ago|reply
I’m gonna take a wild guess, based on my knowledge from about 10 years ago, that your best bet is going to be prepaid providers. Dunno what they’re doing nowadays, but I used to use a Tracfone Wireless phone, which cost $20–30 at Walmart for the hardware, and iirc about $60 per 120-minute card—although there were frequent promotions, so I acquired coupon codes for my family when I was in high school to help save money. The unfortunate thing was that it cost 0.3 minutes per SMS. Also the deal is that you have to buy minutes every so often to extend your service period. Anyway, if they’re still doing a “basic hardware” type option then that could be something to look into.
[+] oatmealsnap|7 years ago|reply
I have a friend who got a really tiny (like, fits in your wallet tiny) cell phone from China. Worked fine when he put the SIM card in, and the audio quality was really solid.
[+] janaagaard|7 years ago|reply
I haven’t tested this idea, but what about using a regular smartphone, and simply uninstall or not enable most of the features?

Don’t want to be distracted? Turn off notifications. Don’t want access to email? Don’t set up the email account.

[+] msftie|7 years ago|reply
Frankly, addiction and bad habits make it very difficult to sustain that when it’s easy to re-enable things.

I have hardly any notifications, my phone is perpetually on silent with vibrate disabled (I often miss calls and texts), and I have no “social media” apps beyond iMessage/Signal. But I still reach for it at every idle moment (most time being spent in the browser).

The one app I truly need is a keepass client. Not sure how I will overcome that without a smartphone.

[+] Nition|7 years ago|reply
The problems I see with that option would be:

- More expensive

- Lower battery life

- More fragile

- No physical buttons (might be a positive if you like touch keyboards)

- Temptation to use the features anyway

[+] cimmanom|7 years ago|reply
How do you turn off the web browser, though?
[+] posting2fast|7 years ago|reply
Imagine someone asks what graphics editors are available on the C64, and people suggest using Photoshop at low resolution because that's what they are interested in, and because hey, it could be that that person hasn't heard about Photoshop yet. "About your question, that's a good question, but let me answer a better question."
[+] eatbitseveryday|7 years ago|reply
One option I've seen is the Nokia 3310 3G [1] for $60 in the US. I have it.

[1] https://www.nokia.com/en_us/phones/nokia-3310-3g

[+] drsopp|7 years ago|reply
I hate this phone. Typing is slow. I swap auto completion dictionaries a lot. Limited memory forces you to delete previous reminders and sms conversations. Deleting them is done with a menu system that is inconsistent; the same command jumps to different positions. Mms does not work with my provider. With some types of phones i call, there is some weird feedback of electronic noise that is only audible on my side. Stay away from this phone!
[+] zdkl|7 years ago|reply
I have one as well. For reference I'm happy with it as a "talk/sms" phone but I don't use any apps on it, even only lightly the browser. If you plan on needing the 3g much, I'd recommend the bigger brother 8110 model because on the 3310 you're back to 2003-2005 mobile internet UX. I'm not sure whether you can use either as a hotspot though.

(Dat multiweek battery life. Haven't tested the "indestructable 3310" myth on this new version yet though)

[+] msftie|7 years ago|reply
Can you remove the preinstalled FB/Twitter apps?
[+] rootusrootus|7 years ago|reply
Verizon sells one they claim is LTE capable. Consumer Cellular has a couple of grandpa-friendly models. Or you could just get something like an Apple Watch 3 with LTE, which achieves a similar goal.
[+] akouri|7 years ago|reply
You need not buy a new phone. Some of the Samsung phones of the 2005-2006 era were my favorite, in terms of speed and menu design. They can be found on Ebay for <$10
[+] cgoecknerwald|7 years ago|reply
I agree. And, if you have a phone that is too "smart", you can always root it to edit what is easily available to you.
[+] PhantomGremlin|7 years ago|reply
I'm sure that YMMV. But there are often problems activating very old phones. E.g. Verizon won't activate phones that don't meet their GPS requirements.