The best smartphones can do amazing things these days... but in a world of constant digital distraction, the best dumbphones offer a refreshing escape. These devices strip away the complexities, giving you a path to digital wellness without cutting you off from the world completely. They're all about what they don't do, helping you reduce screen time and improve focus.
While some are basic and budget-friendly (aka the best burner phones), others are premium, stylish devices designed for digital minimalists. What they all share is a focus on core functions: calls and texts.
Some dumbphones support basic internet, while others stick to just the essentials. Be careful, though: some older dumbphones can't actually connect to the internet, because in the US, the FCC has now phased out 2G and 3G, and other countries have done the same. With that in mind, here are our top recommendations, all of which support 4G.
With over 20 years of expertise as a tech journalist, Adam brings a wealth of knowledge across a vast number of product categories, including timelapse cameras, home security cameras, NVR cameras, photography books, webcams, 3D printers and 3D scanners, borescopes, radar detectors, drones, and cellphones.
Our top 3 dumbphones
Our top pick strikes the perfect balance between smartphones and dumbphones. Its 5MP camera with LED flash produces decent photos, and boasts WiFi hotspot capability too.
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Got money to spend? The Punkt MP02 turns the dumbphone into a design statement; providing a stylish way to achieve digital detox, along with secure, encrypted communications.
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This dumbphone can take and receive calls; read (but not compose too many) texts, and even browse YouTube and Facebook. Get the 2024 version, not its 2020 predecessor.
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Our pick of the best dumbphones
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Best dumbphone overall
The Nokia 2780 Flip strikes the perfect balance between the convenience of smartphones and the simplicity of dumbphones. It provides access to essential apps like WhatsApp, Google Assistant, and basic web browsing without the overwhelming ecosystem of a full smartphone.
The 2.7-inch internal display is bright and clear, while the external screen shows notifications and caller ID without opening the phone. The physical keypad provides excellent tactile feedback, making T9 texting surprisingly comfortable.
What sets the 2780 apart, though, is its smart feature integration. Its 5MP camera with LED flash produces decent photos for documentation, while WiFi hotspot capability means you can share internet with other devices. The battery life provides over two weeks of standby time, while support for 4G LTE ensures reliable connectivity. At around $89, it's ideal for those transitioning from smartphones but who aren't ready for complete digital cold turkey.
Best premium dumbphone
Got money to spend? The Punkt MP02 transforms the dumbphone into a design statement. Crafted by renowned industrial designer Jasper Morrison, this Swiss-made device proves that choosing simplicity doesn't mean sacrificing style.
Our reviewer found that its unusual trapezoidal form felt purposeful in hand, while the glass-fiber reinforced housing did a good job in resisting fingerprints and provided excellent grip. While the monochrome display is tiny, it's perfectly suited to the phone's minimal interface. But what really sets the MP02 apart is Pigeon—its implementation of Signal Private Messenger—bringing secure, encrypted communications to the dumbphone category.
At $379, this isn't an impulse purchase. You're paying premium prices for premium materials, thoughtful design, and the cache of owning something genuinely beautiful. For professionals and digital minimalists who want their values reflected in their devices, the MP02 offers a compelling take on the dumbphone. For more details, see our Punkt MP02 review.
Best value dumbphone
Here's a particularly cheap choice if you want to avoid the distractions of a modern smartphone, while still enjoying a few smart features. This simple handset can take and receive calls; read (but not compose too many) texts, and even browse YouTube and Facebook. That’s watch YouTube, by the way: the camera only takes stills.
If avoiding distraction is your priority, though, it’s worth bearing in mind that the color screen is good enough for some of Nokia’s famously playable games to work. So if you're a keen mobile gamer, you’ll still need to exercise some self-control.
One lovely nod to feature sets from phones 20 years its senior is the inclusion of an FM radio; a more battery efficient way of getting music, news and entertainment than the average smartphone will offer you. Note, though, that you can also add 32GB of MP3s via the MicroSD card slot.
Two versions of this phone can still be found in some places. The more recent 2024 edition offers some useful improvements over the 2020 edition; including having a bigger capacity battery, and USB-C charging.
For more details, see our Nokia 225 4G (2024) review.
Best for seniors
Want an easy phone your grandparents can use without getting overwhelmed? We recommend the Easyfone Prime A6, which keeps things nice and simple with big buttons, large fonts, and basic, easy to use functionality. We also love that it comes with an SOS button for emergencies (which you can disable if you prefer), and that it's hearing-aid compatible.
You don't get a camera, and there's little in the way of features, but that's kind of the point: keep things simple, and your oldest relatives will be able to make and receive calls without getting stressed or confused by too much modern tech.
Best pre-paid
The Cingular Smartflip IV runs KaiOS 2.5, giving it the power to run apps like Facebook or the – essential to some – WhatsApp. There’s also a camera which isn’t much to write home about, though it can record low frame rate postage-stamp videos (352x288) if that’s your thing.
If you’re not a fan of typing, Google Assistant provides voice-type in most text entry fields, and the contacts sync with Google and Outlook (to a maximum of 1000). You can also use a Bluetooth headset, but you’ll still need to open the phone and press ‘OK’ to start Google Assistant. Some reviewers said that they appreciated the ability to switch predictive type on and off, while at least one enthusiastic texter on Amazon did seem to find the system confusing.
As a classic phone, though, this is a good value device. The handset supports HD calls and the keyboard can be operated by feel well enough, ideal for those who like the form factor, don't want a touch-screen, and need to keep in touch across generations.
Best rugged dumbphone
Flip phones need not be flimsy, and not only does this one have a IP68 and 810H military spec but CAT promises the hinge has been tested 150,000 times (presumably not on the handset you buy!) The screen is Gorilla Glass 5.
Admittedly you're limited to T-Mobile, but in terms of the smart/dumb choice this handset opts to walk a tightrope with the Android Go operating system which uses the keypad but can still behave a little like a full smartphone (there is a Google search bar and icons familiar to Google Android users).
Being half-smart also means you get a 5MP main camera with flash and 2MP selfie camera so you can capture images on-site and the phone has GPS positioning. Up to 5m water resistant means it can easily be cleaned, too, and the charger is USB-C.
Some customers didn't seem to appreciate the rugged bulk (and the fact it weighs more than an iPhone Pro Max). The PTT button, too, is a useful tool for some tradesfolk but perhaps the phone could be dumbed down to remove it for others – this is more of a semi-smart built with a bit of a battering in mind.
Best retro dumbphone
Originally released in 1999, but remade in 2024, the Nokia 3210 is an excellent choice for those seeking a break from the overstimulation of smartphones without sacrificing modern practicality.
This revamped classic combines nostalgia with functionality, offering features like a USB-C port for seamless charging and a simple camera that evokes lo-fi charm. Its enduring battery life ensures you can go days without a recharge, relieving the anxiety of constant power monitoring.
The device fosters focus and disconnection, stripping communication down to essential texts, free from the noise of messaging apps and social media. With its retro allure and thoughtful upgrades, the Nokia 3210 masterfully bridges past simplicity and present needs. And, hey, you can play Snake on it! (If you know, you know.)
Best for remote locations
While the best satellite phones are very clever, this technology doesn't really do fast data transfer. Physics, however, does give it one huge advantage: a few satellites can see most of the Earth’s surface. That makes these phones perfect for keeping in contact from remote locations.
The IsatPhone 2 is built for adventure with IP65 compliance, a reflective screen with Gorilla glass, a dedicated location-sharing button (texting your location as a GPS text to an interested follower), and an SOS button. Put up the giant antenna nearly anywhere in the world and thanks to a network of geostationary satellites you will be able to make a call.
FAQs
What is a dumbphone?
The simple answer is a dumbphone is the opposite of a smartphone – retailers tend to call them "feature phones." Dumbphones get rid of all the things that make smartphones too complicated to use, opting for simpler user interfaces, larger text, and physical buttons instead of touch screens and gestures that many people struggle to use with modern smartphones.
What is the smartest dumbphone?
Well if you are looking for a modern dumbphone with a few smart features you can't go wrong with our top pick of the Nokia 2780 flip phone. It has a passable camera for snapping photos as well as features like Bluetooth for connecting to headphones and hearing aids. The phone also has an internet browser and mapping.
Do manufacturers mind the name 'dumbphone'?
Not really. You might think 'dumb' sounds a bit offensive, but it's just the opposite to 'smart'. Nokia even have a page called 'dumbphones' on their site.
How do we pick dumbphones?
This is a complicated area, because different people have different needs from dumbphones. To be sure we're making the best recommendations we not only asses the handsets on the market against what we in the office like, but make sure we check with real-world users, or online retail reviews to get as many perspectives as we can from different users, be they seniors looking for a straightforward experience and uncomplicated buttons or evangelists looking to re-invent our relationship with devices. Where possible we review everything in house, but this is one of those instances that seeking as broad a range of opinion as possible definitely helps!
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