Almost enough to stop doomscrolling. A boring device is now cool.
The Boring Phone is a new featureless flip phone that is catching the attention of young people seeking to switch from smartphones to basic phones.
The latest model, a collaboration between Heineken beer and fashion retailer Bodega, made waves when introduced at Milan Design Week this month, where designers worldwide showcase their latest trends. The Boring Phone is part of a growing trend of dumb phones evolving from Gen Z’s skepticism towards data collection and attention-grabbing technology. This skepticism has revitalized retro cultural items, known as nutro, seen in the resurgence of vinyl records, cassettes, fanzines, 8-bit games, and vintage cell phones.
“I always despised being constantly connected,” said Lana Ali. The 29-year-old, previously in finance and now a music producer and rapper known as Surya Sen, added, “I tried using a smartphone, but I always return to simplicity.”
Nostalgia for “brick” phones with long-lasting batteries led to the relaunch of the Nokia 3310 in 2017, but the trend really took off in the US last year, sparked by TikTokers using the #bringbackflipphones hashtag. HMD, behind the Nokia relaunch, saw foldable phone sales double by April 2023, while Punkt, which focuses on minimalist phones, also experienced a significant sales boost.
The Boring Phone is a retro flip phone with minimal functionality.
Mintel mentioned that Apple and Samsung are not yet threatened. Nine out of ten phones are smartphones, and dumb phones remain a niche market, as per Joe Birch, a technology analyst at the research firm. “Nevertheless, there are signs that this generation is altering their smartphone habits, and we are concerned about the potential negative effects of constant digital connectivity driving this change,” Birch added. “For instance, three out of five Gen Zers express a desire to disconnect from the digital world.”
This shift towards offline life or digital minimalism is also evident in Gen Z’s reduced use of social media. They are the only generation to have cut back on social media usage since 2021, as per GWI. Yet, seniors are also undergoing digital detox, including Lars Silberbauer, HMD’s chief marketing officer, who mentioned a transitional period after disconnecting. “In the first few hours, you may feel anxious,” he explained. “But soon, focus returns, and previous activities resume.”
According to technology analyst Portulance Institute, the internet now appears more as a surveillance tool for brands, governments, and scammers rather than a place for exploration or meeting interesting individuals, causing more young adults to prioritize privacy.
Older tech can offer greater freedom. Sampling music has become a challenge for emerging artists due to Spotify and YouTube’s algorithms, which detect uncleared samples. However, an underground artist can press 500 copies of an EP record and distribute it to DJs and fans without hurdles.
The downside to going offline is the increasing reliance on smartphones in today’s world. Hannah Whelan from the Good Things Foundation’s Data Poverty Lab noted that 2.4 million UK households cannot afford mobile contracts, and 2 million young people lack access to learning devices, hindering essential services now online.
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The Luddite Club of New York schoolchildren announced their decision to switch from iPhones to flip phones in December 2022, although Punkt founder Petter Nebby noted that smartphones are still necessary. “It’s impractical,” he commented. “While we discuss banning smartphones in UK schools, education systems rely heavily on online tasks for scheduling and assignments. I advocate for banning smartphones for children, but it’s a complex issue that requires balance.”
Piers Garrett, a 27-year-old tech sales executive, found a balance by using a Litephone, an e-ink device without apps. However, he eventually gave up. “The concept was good, but I lasted only six months,” he admitted. “WhatsApp is the main mode of communication. Now I maintain a strict app usage policy, only using banking and transit apps and turning off notifications. In the morning, I prioritize personal activities like coffee or reading, noticing a significant mental clarity improvement.”
Source: www.theguardian.com
