The "Ebb" of Smartphones: Feature Phones Make a Comeback as Parents and Students Seek Digital Detox

The "Ebb" of Smartphones: Feature Phones Make a Comeback as Parents and Students Seek Digital DetoxThe internet can be a dangerous place for children, from the negative impact of social media on physical and emotional well-being to the risk of encountering unpleasant situations or people. With most children under the age of 18 carrying smartphones, allowing them almost constant access to the internet, concerned parents have driven up sales figures for feature phones, or dumb phones

The "Ebb" of Smartphones: Feature Phones Make a Comeback as Parents and Students Seek Digital Detox

The internet can be a dangerous place for children, from the negative impact of social media on physical and emotional well-being to the risk of encountering unpleasant situations or people. With most children under the age of 18 carrying smartphones, allowing them almost constant access to the internet, concerned parents have driven up sales figures for feature phones, or dumb phones. According to Virgin Media O2, a major media and telecom company in the UK, sales of non-internet-connected feature phones in Britain doubled year-on-year, with a particularly significant surge in September as a new school year began. Ironically, Nokia, a brand that dominated the mobile phone scene in the early 2000s, is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity among those seeking to escape the digital world. The latest Nokia 3310, released by HMD, the owner of the Nokia brand, is a prime example. This famously indestructible phone was first released in 2000.

Its not just parents who are buying these phones that only offer calling, texting, and simple games (of course, the new Nokia 3310 still features the classic Snake game). Older consumers who are averse to increasingly complex phones and discussions regarding artificial intelligence are also opting for simpler, easier-to-use feature phones. Feature phones are also common in industries where devices are prone to damage, such as construction and oil rigs. Smartphones are not renowned for their durability, and feature phones are not only generally more robust, but also cheaper (around $50-100), meaning the pain of breaking a 3310 (which is not very likely to happen) is much less than breaking a $1000+ Apple or Samsung flagship phone.

This isnt the first time weve heard about non-smartphones making a comeback. A report last year by Counterpoint Research found that sales of these devices in the US were on the rise. This is believed to be partly driven by Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012, currently aged between 12 and 27), who are attempting to reduce their screen time to protect their mental health and reduce distractions in their lives. Eton College, a renowned boarding school in the UK, has banned first-year students from using smartphones, providing them with Nokia dumbphones instead. The school hopes the program will help to create a supportive learning environment while minimizing distractions.