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If your phone’s screen time report has started feeling like a personal attack, trust me, you’re not alone. Between going down TikTok rabbit holes, scrolling through Instagram Reels, and somehow ending up watching a stranger’s 20-step skin care routine at 2 a.m., many Gen Zers are looking for ways to spend a little less time glued to their phones and social media. Enter: dumbphones.
A dumbphone, or a simplified mobile phone designed to minimize distractions and limit smartphone features, strips technology back to the basics of calling and texting — just like how phones existed in the olden days of a couple decades ago. These minimalistic devices have taken social media by storm as more people try digital detoxes and healthier technology habits. While some dumbphones are true throwbacks with little more than calling capabilities, others offer a few modern conveniences without making it quite so easy to lose hours scrolling.
Whether you’re looking for a weekend break from social media, trying to cut down on doomscrolling, or simply love the flip phone aesthetic, I’ve rounded up some of the best dumbphones for Gen Zers to try right now.
P.S. If you’re thinking about making the switch, don’t forget to double-check that your carrier supports your new device before buying. Once you’ve got the logistics sorted out, all that’s left to do is enjoy a little less screen time — and maybe discover what life is like without checking TikTok every five minutes (been there).
Tracfone Nokia 2760 Flip ($60)
If you’re not ready to drop hundreds of dollars on a digital detox experiment, the Nokia 2760 Flip is a great place to start. It’s affordable, simple, and has all the nostalgic early-2000s energy. Plus, there’s something very satisfying about dramatically snapping a flip phone shut after a conversation.
Unihertz Jelly 2E ($160)
Ever wished your smartphone was just… smaller? I know I have, especially when I’m trying to shove my iPhone into my back pocket to free up my hands. The Unihertz Jelly 2E is about the size of a credit card, making it very nicely portable. You still get useful features like maps, music, and apps, but trying to binge-watch TikToks on a screen this tiny sounds more frustrating than fun. Instead, it’s designed for intentional use: enough tech to stay connected, but not enough to pull you into an endless spiral of scrolling.
Wisephone II ($399)
For the people who know they’ll immediately redownload TikTok the second they get bored, the Wisephone II removes temptation altogether. There are no social media apps and no web browser, so your “quick five-minute check” can’t accidentally turn into a two-hour scrolling session. This one’s a pricier choice, but it’s one of many dumbphone fanatics’ top picks.
The Minimal Phone ($450)
Clicky keyboard lovers, this one’s for you. The Minimal Phone combines an old-school QWERTY keyboard with an e-paper display that feels more like a Kindle than an iPhone. It’s designed to help you stay productive and reduce eye strain, all without constantly tempting you to open social media. It’s a fancy choice (its price rivals that of an actual smartphone) — but if you’re serious about cutting back your screen time, it could be worth it.
TCL Flip Go 4058W ($80 refurbished)
If your goal is to recreate the kind of phone your parents probably carried in the early 2000s, the TCL Flip Go 4058W is about as close as it gets. It has a classic design, large keypad, and straightforward interface, making it pretty perfect for anyone who misses the days when phones were mainly for calling and texting. It also includes a basic camera and FM radio. What else do you need?