Dumb phone: recommend me one, please.

[r04DiE]

Hello all,

As the title suggests, I will be downgrading my phone. I would like a really basic phone, no GPS, no wireless, no apps, etc, etc. All I really want to do is call and text with it. I am doing this for privacy reasons and for the fact that smartphones are ubiquitous. I am sick of seeing people walking around, swiping and checking emails, social media, the news, this, that, the other. I am sick of doing this myself.

I am thinking of the new (revamped) Nokia 3310, but I would welcome any other suggestions. I might just see if I can pick up an original.

Set me free from this drudgery!
Thank you, guys

 

[slowmotion]

I can't recommend this one too highly. It's spectacularly stupid. An altogether wonderful bit of kit. I keep it in the kitchen drawer for most of the year. Nobody gets to trouble me.

Doro EasyPhone 612.

The best bit about it is that it's a real pain in the bum to text with. You quickly give up replying to your inbox........and they stop hassling you. What's not to like?

 

[classic33]

View attachment 420487 I can't recommend this one too highly. It's spectacularly stupid. An altogether wonderful bit of kit. I keep it in the kitchen drawer for most of the year. Nobody gets to trouble me.

Doro EasyPhone 612.

The best bit about it is that it's a real pain in the bum to text with. You quickly give up replying to your inbox........and they stop hassling you. What's not to like?

It's not that hard to text with, but I second your choice, from current handsets.

Maybe a JCB phone or Samsung B12 !

 

[tamiya]

I am thinking of the new (revamped) Nokia 3310, but I would welcome any other suggestions. I might just see if I can pick up an original.

I too have been scouting for a 3310 since they released last year, but do far no luck - always sold out whenever they're on special

https://www.nokia.com/en_int/phones/nokia-3310

Btw Are you aware they're (supposedly) 2G only?

Where I am the 2G networks have shutdown, Vodafone was the last 2G signal around here but they too went dark just fortnight ago

2G-only phones won't talk to 3G/4G/5etc which is a PITA as none of my vintage ancient phones will work anymore... (otherwise my favourite phone before smartphones was the tiny Ericsson T39s )


There's plenty of other cheaper throwaway handsets sold here in supermarkets by Sagem, HTC etc but nothing that caught my interest like Nokia 3310.

 

[Blue Hills]

I have one of these, or one very like it:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-Ne...-Unlocked-Mobile-Phone-WARRANTY-/283000161062

Got mine for a tenner or not much more when they were still just about current. Unlocked.

Great phone - nice keyboard, which can (oo) be set to light up. Nicely made, nice feel, dropped it a fair few times with no great problems. Great for calls and texting. Nicely made. Small. Battery lasts for ages. Spare batteries can be obtained for not a lot from ebay for probably evermore. No frills, not even a radio or camera. Oh, makes a great alarm clock. Unlike some smart phones you can switch it off at night and it will, clever smart thing that it is, wake itself up to sound the alarm. Other basic functions like a countdown timer with alarm - handy - I set it whenever I out the espresso pot on the stove so that I don't forget it and fry the pot.

Worried that all remaining stocks would be buried in a purge I bought another second hand pretty much as new off ebay for a tenner.

Note that it cannot be used on the Three network. As it's 2G.

Mine is on Asda mobile - nice and simple.

Be aware that there is another basic phone under various brandings (forget them) that is appalling - sound quality dire and it, believe it or not, doesn't have predictive tesxting.

PS - can't help but be intrigued by your "privacy reasons".

 

[Blue Hills]

Where I am the 2G networks have shutdown, Vodafone was the last 2G signal around here but they too went dark just fortnight ago

.

where's this?

 

[jefmcg]

Btw Are you aware they're (supposedly) 2G only?

How weird. I see from your link that is true, but the ones they make for the Australian market (where 2g has been switched off) are 3g or 3g/4g.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

@r04DiE I am sorry to hear you have been through some hassle.

I had some trouble nearly 10 years ago on Facebook and more recently (2years ago) on WhatsApp. Intrusive and disturbing. I am no longer in touch with those people. I think in the eighties they would have been referred to as stalkers.

However rather than ditching the phone, I just removed the apps. Could you do that? I am self employed and I use my phone for client contact and invoicing during the day, every day.

I use it for music and podcasts when doing mundane work. During lunch and tea breaks, I catch up on CC where I learn and laugh a lot. I can also sort out household admin too. I would honestly be lost without it. I am one of the cyborgs you could say, but I don’t walk around glued to the thing. I don’t get it out my pocket if I am in a social situation or school gate etc. I watched (ok curtain twitched) with bemusement a couple of weeks ago, the weirdest BBQ ever. The young couple a few doors down had a gaggle of friends and kids over for a BBQ. They all sat around on the lawn in almost complete silence as they all mucked about on their phones. The men were worse.

Maybe cull all the intrusive apps that cause problems and run your phone as a slimmed down version.

 

[marshmella]

It's not that hard to text with, but I second your choice, from current handsets.

Maybe a JCB phone or Samsung B12 !

My wife has one of these (Doro)nothing wrong with them it's in the drawer now as she belatedly joined the 21 st century and got a smart phone

 

[KneesUp]

The best dumb phone I had was an Ericsson T39. Lasted a week on standby and had a titanium frame. You could also get a larger capacity battery for it.

 

[Drago]

I use a Cat B25. Dumb as me, shock and waterproof. 3 weeks to a month on standby between charges.

If you can find one, a Samsung B2710 is excellent. Mine lasted 8 years before finally disintegrating, and still gave 5 weeks between charges. Not produced any more, but new stock is still to be found here and there. Both are ideal for cyclists, dont mind a bit of dust, heat, water, or vibrations.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I'd recommend the Nokia 6310i for its robustness and reliability. The battery easily goes two weeks between charges.

For a phone that was discontinued over a decade ago, it is still very popular and has held its value too.

Try Amazon or ebay.

 

[classic33]

I'd recommend the Nokia 6310i for its robustness and reliability. The battery easily goes two weeks between charges.

For a phone that was discontinued over a decade ago, it is still very popular and has held its value too.

Try Amazon or ebay.

View attachment 420508

I've one sat in its box.

 

[r04DiE]

Have to say that there are some great options here and thank you to everyone for contributing - much appreciated!

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Instead of wasting money on another phone, why not turn your smartphone into a dumb one? Turn the data and the Wi-Fi off and you won't be bothered by anything other than text messages and calls, and you get to keep your nice big screen and easy to use keyboard.