Why Generation Z is Reviving Interest in America’s “Dumb Phones”

In the United States, the iPhone is the most widely used mobile phone and has a market share of over 50%, while Android continues to monopolize virtually the rest. However, something quite remarkable happened last year because, Thanks to Generation Z, there has been a growing interest in phone featurealso known as dumb phones or stupid phones.

Believe it or not, young people born between the mid-90s and early 2010 are trying to revive the appeal of these simple mobile phones with small screens and limited connectivity. Regardless of the form factor, whether candiessliders or flip phones.

But the resurgence of interest in phone feature It’s not just a nostalgic whim. Generation Z seeks to disconnect from the bombardment of social media and messaging apps. to improve your mental health.

Be careful, this does not mean that from tomorrow young people will boycott technology and stop buying new iPhones, Pixels or Galaxy. But they are more aware of the consequences of constant mobile phone use and addiction to apps like Instagram and TikTok.

So having a phone with more limited functionality can help teens or young adults keep their day — or at least part of it — connected via calls or text messages. but without the hustle and bustle that comes with other apps.

Generation Z could revive sales phone feature in North America

It is clear that while smartphones in all their bands are driving destinations today in terms of connectivity and mobile connectivity, V phone feature they never disappeared. In fact, Nokia is no longer one of the world’s leading brands, but it continues to offer an extensive catalog of these devices.

According to the fee CNBClast year 80% of sales phone feature it was divided between India, Africa and the Middle East. HMD, the parent company of Nokia, has experienced a drop in global demand for these types of phones. but he grew up in the United States. Especially in their typical models clamshell phone, also known as “de concha” or “con tapita”, depending on where you are in the Spanish-speaking world. An interest that may not only be associated with those who bet on these simple devices, meaning the elderly. Generation Z would also play a role.

While no specific numbers are mentioned, in 2022 Nokia would be selling “tens of thousands” of this type of device per month in the US. The numbers may not impress the vast majority, but for the Finnish brand they represent a light of hope for the future.

analyst Patrick Moorhead ensured that the market phone feature in the United States, it may reappear within the next five years. In North America market dumb phones it’s pretty stagnant. But in the next five years, it could increase to 5%, at least based on existing public health concerns,” he said. It all probably depends on how long Gen Z’s interest in these types of products lasts.

Jose Brioneswho manages the subreddit g/dumphonesalso expressed his opinion on CNBC. “I think you can see this with some Gen Z populations: they are tired of the screens. They don’t know what’s going on with mental health and they’re trying to cut costs,” he said.

In fact, his Reddit community summarizes the most important points for those looking for a dumb phone. or phone function in the middle of 2023. Which type of mobile phone to choose according to your needs, which operating system to use if you want to keep access to apps like Spotify or WhatsApp, etc.

From “stupid phones” to “minimalistic phones”

The growing interest of generation Z in breaking ties with smartphones It also made room for new business. We are talking about “minimalistic” phones, which are offered as a solution that relieves anxiety. One of the most famous cases is the case light phonewhich seeks to establish itself as an alternative option in an era they characterize as “surveillance capitalism” and “attention economy”.

“You will never have social networks, news from clickbait, email, internet browser, or any other endless source of worry,” says a website promoting the Light Phone II. But he is not the only one of his kind. Sunbeam wireless launched clamshell phone called F1, which is marketed as “a phone that lets you do more.” While Item MP02 adherence to such a philosophy.

As we said earlier, none of these devices will take away the market dominance of the iPhone and Android smartphones in the near future. But they make it clear phone feature could have a second life in the United States at the hands of Generation Z. Especially because of the desire of its members to avoid the harmful effects of the technology with which they live almost from birth.