All articles tagged with #feature phones
As concerns over smartphone addiction grow, niche companies are creating premium 'dumbphones' with limited features to promote digital minimalism and healthier phone use, catering to consumers seeking disconnection and privacy, despite higher prices and niche markets.
As concerns over smartphone addiction grow, niche companies are developing premium 'dumbphones' with limited features to promote digital minimalism and healthier tech habits, offering an alternative to mainstream smartphones and catering to a niche market seeking disconnection and privacy.
HMD Global has unveiled three new retro-inspired feature phones, the Nokia 6310 (2024), Nokia 5310 (2024), and Nokia 230 (2024), based on classic designs from the early 2000s to 2010s, featuring modern upgrades like Bluetooth 5.0 and USB-C charging. These phones offer a simpler user interface, long standby battery life, and a nostalgic design, but lack app stores, touchscreen, and access to modern features. With limited internet functionality and 2G support, they may not work on newer networks. The phones are likely to appeal to retro tech enthusiasts and those nostalgic for the originals.
HMD has unveiled three new Nokia feature phones, the Nokia 6310 (2024), 5310 (2024), and Nokia 230 (2024), which are modern versions of classic designs. These phones feature upgrades such as larger batteries, USB-C ports, and improved chipsets while retaining the nostalgic appeal of physical keypads. Despite their basic functionality and low price, they are limited to 2G connectivity. Pricing details have not been disclosed yet, but they are expected to be considerably cheaper than modern smartphones.
Rumors of Nokia's demise are false, as HMD Global plans to release more phones under the Nokia name, including an iconic device based on a best-selling model. While HMD Global is expanding its efforts with new non-Nokia mobile brands, the Nokia brand remains important, with more feature phones expected in the near future. Despite previous rumors, the Nokia brand is here to stay, although it may focus more on feature phones.
Gen Z and millennials are increasingly opting for "feature phones" over smartphones as a form of digital detox. These retro handsets, such as old-school flip and slider phones, offer limited functionality but are cheaper than iPhones or Android devices, with prices as low as $20. Analyst firm Counterpoint Research predicts that the feature phone market, currently accounting for just 2% of overall phone sales, will reach $2.8 million in sales by the end of 2023. The increase in sales is attributed to the support of minimalist and digital detox movements, potential B2B sales, and the demand from tourists and casual consumers for affordable and handy devices.
Nokia has refreshed its lineup of feature phones with the Nokia 130 and Nokia 150, offering inexpensive options for customers looking for basic, long-lasting phones. The Nokia 150 features a 2.4-inch display, VGA camera, and a 1,450 mAh battery, while the Nokia 130 lacks a camera but has the same specs. Both phones have a low price point and offer long battery life, making them appealing options for those in need of a secondary phone or basic device.
Dumb phones or feature phones are becoming popular among certain Gen Z users in the US who are looking to limit their screen time and protect their mental health. While feature phone sales have flatlined in developing nations, HMD Global, the licensee of the Nokia brand, sold tens of thousands of its feature flip phones in the US each month during 2022. The trend has benefitted companies such as Light, the creator of the Light Phone 2, which is being hailed as a great device for productivity thanks to the lack of distractions found in typical smartphones.
Digitally native Generation Z consumers in the US are turning to "dumb phones" or "feature phones" due to rising awareness of the harmful effects of social media and digital devices on mental health, as well as the growing awareness of the environmental impact of smartphones. The cost of smartphones is also becoming prohibitive for many young people. Companies like Punkt and Light are offering devices designed for people who want to reduce their screen time and social media use. The trend is not a rejection of technology altogether, but rather a recognition that the constant stream of notifications, social media updates, and other digital distractions can be overwhelming and harmful.
While dumb phones are losing popularity globally, they are on the rise in the US, with companies like HMD Global selling millions of mobile devices similar to those used in the early 2000s. Feature flip phone sales were up in 2022 for HMD Global in the US, with tens of thousands sold each month. Some young people in the US are reverting back to dumb or minimalist phones due to concerns about mental health and screen time.