this post was submitted on 14 Sep 2025
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206
What would stop you from switching to a flip phone (or dumbphone) in 2025? (tim.kicker.dev)
submitted 1 day ago by tim@feddit.org to c/technology@lemmy.world
159 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

I’ve been using a flip phone as my daily driver for a while now. The smartphone is still around, but it mostly sits in a drawer until bureaucracy or banking apps force me to use it.

For me, the benefits are clear: less distraction, more focus, better sleep. But I know for many people it’s not so easy. Essential apps, social pressure, work requirements… these are real blockers.

I’d like to start a discussion (almost like an informal poll):

  • If you thought about switching, what’s the single biggest thing that holds you back?

  • Is it banking? Messaging? Maps? Something else?

I’m genuinely curious because if we can identify the main pain points, maybe it’s possible to work on solutions or even start a small project around it.

So: what would need to change for you to actually give a flip phone a try?

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[–] Brkdncr@lemmy.world 52 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Who even makes phone calls today? Not me. I need a device that does everything but phone calls more than I need a device that only does voice.

[–] rc__buggy@sh.itjust.works 7 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Construction workers, for sure. I miss PTT from NEXTEL (Motorola radio built into the phone) that shit was awesome.

[–] rudyharrelson@lemmy.radio 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

My parents and all their friends used to use PTT with their Nextel phones. It was a super handy feature. I wonder why it fell out of style. Seemed more convenient and less tedious than a phone call for short communications.

[–] rc__buggy@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago

Money, I think. Motorola radio communication isn't very cheap.

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

There are both open source and commercial apps that do PTT over internet. It turns phones into radio, it even has the capability to have central radio operation rooms for companies and such. It's all automated.

[–] rc__buggy@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 day ago

I can't get these people to use Signal instead of SMS.

But nothing internet dependent will turn a phone into a radio. We are in places where even 4G doesn't reach sometimes and if there was a Motorola repeater onsite it'd be great. I've got our company trying it out and the SL300 has been a game changer for our communication on site.

[–] coolmojo@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

There are devices like that. For example the iPod touch.

[–] Brkdncr@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I still need internet service and the iPod touch was discontinued years ago.

[–] atomicbocks@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Sony still makes an Android equivalent.

[–] Brkdncr@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I know someone that has been trying out all of the mp3 players and has yet to find something that works as well as an iPod classic.

But then why would I need one? It’s all on my phone.

[–] atomicbocks@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

I’ve seen a few devices go by recently trying to capture that use case. Some have looked promising but I still have a Zune.