Smart Dumbphones or Dumb Smartphones?

SOMETIMES, LESS TECH IS MORE PEACE

In a world increasingly obsessed with having the latest tech in their pockets, I did something unusual: I turned to the past. Not in nostalgia alone, but as an experiment in digital balance. The goal? To find out if you really need a “dumbphone” to cut distractions or if an old smartphone could be dumbed down enough to serve the same purpose.

This is the story of my time using the Nokia 2660 Flip and an iPhone SE (2016) both as secondary devices and what I learned about convenience, function, and the weird joy of pressing real buttons again.

Setting the Stage

This entire experiment started with a small, impulsive decision. After months of thinking, questioning, forgetting, and repeating the cycle, I found myself sitting in the washroom one morning and ordered a dumbphone. Yep. Just like that. Curiosity finally won.
The phone in question? The Nokia 2660 Flip. A clamshell phone with a clean design, built-in UPI, and just enough smarts to make it usable in 2025 or so I thought.
Meanwhile, I was also using my Pixel 4a as my primary driver until the screen broke. The repair cost was ₹9,000 with no affordable third-party options, which pushed me to dig out my old iPhone SE (2016) 16GB for temporary use. But it brought up an interesting dilemma: this iPhone, though technically a smartphone, lacked modern app support due to its outdated iOS version especially for UPI apps in India, which are tied to recent security protocols.
So I had two “secondary” devices on hand. One, a purpose-built dumbphone. The other, a dumbed-down relic of a smartphone. And I started using both side by side.

Looks That Turn Heads

You wouldn’t expect it, but both phones attracted a surprising amount of attention.
The Nokia 2660 Flip has that unmistakable charm. It’s unapologetically retro. When I whip it out, people almost always look twice either in confusion or admiration. You don’t see flip phones every day anymore.
The iPhone SE, on the other hand, is a design classic. Its 4 inch screen, compact body, and aluminum finish inspired the form factor of many modern iPhones. It doesn’t scream “retro,” but it does whisper “iconic.”
Still, in public spaces, it’s the Nokia that wins the glance game. People just don’t expect to see a dumbphone in someone’s hands in 2025.

Functionality: The Good, the Bad, the Dumb

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: the iPhone SE is technically more capable in every sense. It’s faster, has a better display, supports apps (some of them), and connects more smoothly to modern accessories.
But here’s where it gets interesting as a dumbphone, it wasn’t a clear winner. Why?
Battery Life: Another point for Nokia. A full charge lasted days, while the SE needed charging almost daily with my use.
Security & UPI: In India, secure payments like UPI depend on devices getting regular software updates. The iPhone SE (2016) no longer receives these updates. So while it could run older apps like YouTube Music or Safari, I couldn’t use it for UPI payments something even the Nokia handled (kind of) via SMS-based UPI. Sure, the reliability wasn’t perfect, but I could use it for quick known transactions with vendors I trusted.
Call Performance: Surprisingly, the Nokia was faster at making calls. With the iPhone, I had to unlock it with a (broken) Touch ID, enter a passcode, go to the dialer while the Nokia was instant. Flip open, press a few keys, and call placed.
Media & Music: Nokia supports memory cards up to 32 GB, so I filled mine with around 1,000 songs. When paired with my Sony WH-CH720N headphones via AUX cable, it felt like I was back in 2009 (although it supports Bluetooth, but really will it look that badass if I use Bluetooth!). The iPhone, while more modern and convenient with Bluetooth streaming and access to YouTube Music, lacked that analog charm.

The Real Problem: Dumbphones Are Easy to Forget

Here’s the thing though: despite the appeal, dumbphones are easy to forget.
Some days, I’d carry my Nokia around like a pro two-phone handler. Other days, it would just sit on a shelf, forgotten. I wouldn’t check it for calls or messages. I didn’t need it. That’s the truth most dumbphone buyers don’t want to admit.
As much as I like the charm, I get why most people won’t last with it. And if you’re not extremely intentional about your usage, it’s easy to relapse into using a fully capable smartphone 24/7.

The Smarter Choice Might Be a Dumber Smartphone

Looking back, the real MVP might be the old smartphone if you know what you’re doing.
Here’s how you can get the best of both worlds:

1. Wipe it Clean: Factory reset and don’t reinstall all your old apps.
2. Custom ROMs: For Android phones, try Pixel Experience, LineageOS, or even crDroid to get a lighter OS that can breathe new life into your old device.
3. Dummify It: Only install what you really need calls, maps, music, messages. No social media, no browser if you can help it.
4. Use a Jailbroken iPhone?: Not really worth it unless you’re already deep into the Apple ecosystem and know what you’re doing. The risks outweigh the gains.
5. Choose Wisely: If the phone’s too old (like the SE 2016), you might miss out on core security updates. That includes UPI, banking apps, etc.

This route lets you reduce distractions without losing core functionality. And best of all, you don’t need to buy a new device.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not About the Phone

The whole dumbphone vs smartphone debate is actually about intention.
A Nokia flip phone won’t save you from doomscrolling if you forget it on the table. An old iPhone won’t be a distraction-free device unless you strip it down and use it that way. The tech is only half of it your mindset is the real decider.
In hindsight, I didn’t need to buy the Nokia. But I’m still glad I did. It made me aware of how I use my devices, what really matters, and how a little discomfort can often help you grow more mindful.

Would you ever switch to a dumbphone or try turning your old smartphone into one? Why or why not?