Would you give up your smartphone for a minimalist phone?

Minimalism isn't about depriving yourself of anything it's about focusing on what you value and removing what doesn't work.

The problem with phones is that they've stopped being tools and started making us into tools. We need this: - Phone - RTF Messaging - Music - Camera - Maps Tools, not Twitter.

i want the light phone but with messaging and music. no apps.

I'm a college Student and a few weeks back, my s7 died. I didn't have the money to buy a new phone so I got a Nokia 106. I must say life feels good now I only reply to very important text and when I need to use the internet I uses my laptop. Plus I don't need to charge my phone every day, now after 5 days. I had to detox because I didn't have the money but now I won't switch to a smartphone if someone gave it to me for free.

For me an ideal minimalist should do just 3 things: Phone calls Texting (WhatsApp) Music (Spotify or something similar) Also nice to see that i am not the only one still using an iPhone 6.

i find it funny that he intends to have a detox from social media but then proceeds to download snapchat on a low-end device and expects it to work. you expect it to be minimal but then proceed to find what isn't provided. you want a basic phone but then you want a high quality camera. and then complains that texts are like emails. like that isn't how SMS's started when the nokia 3310 was popular - not threads. this is such a problematic video. lol.

Original Blackberry is exactly what you're describing - excellent for texting, can make phone calls, didn't do much else. Blackberry needs to bring out an updated (but not fully smartphoned) Curve 8300! Just make it 4/5G and current build quality standards and presto. Winner.

"Which minimalist phones will help you disconnect from social media and stop being addicted to your phone?" "Uh, well, this doesn't go on Facebook so I guess this phone is a fail"

My life is so polluted with devices. Let me fix that by buying another device.

When I decided to do the minimalist phone thing (because, burned out), I went with an LG 306G that was available through Tracfone. I still have it and I still use it. The thing is practically bomb-proof! I've dropped it quite a few times and apart from having to pop the back plate back in, it has had _no_ damage (that means no cracked screen). I charge it about every two weeks (sometimes a little less. Depends on usage). It is a feature phone, but it does have a touch screen, and is incredibly easy to navigate, and text with. I find that by not having my nose glued down to a smartphone screen all the time, I'm actually happier and more relaxed. I still do social media and comment online (obvs, since I'm here typing right now) but I do it mostly at home, or in a cafe, while staring up at the *considerably larger* screen of my laptop. And that's just the thing...I already have a great laptop, and also a tablet...I don't _need_ a smartphone. I'm in _zero_ hurry to get another smartphone. Not only is it nice to not fall back into the "notification bell" conditioning, but I find that I love looking at the world around me.

"Smartphone detox" -> proceeds to download Snapchat, Instagram etc. I do understand the need for messaging app and a decent camera, that's it.

I spent my teenage years with a basic phone, and I only got a smartphone when I was an adult. Honestly, I texted super, super fast on T9 and later on even faster on my slide-out qwerty keyboard. It can take a bit to get used to T9 but trust me, you can definitely text bomb with it. I'm getting the Nokia phone, solidly done with the constant demand for attention from my smartphone, let alone the toxicity and mental health decline I've experienced through using social media.

Why haven’t we seen more of this guy?! He’s great.

"The small screen makes me avoid all the things I hate about a smartphone, but I want the screen to be larger so I can type." -- this guy

My perfect phone: Calling and texting. A good camera, front and back, with a flash (doubling as a flashlight). Calculator. Clock, world clock, timer, countdown. Navigation (GoogleMaps). Calendar, reminders. Notes. Spotify (for music and podcasts). NO SOCIAL MEDIA, NO INTERNET BROWSER, NO KZfaq. Just necessities and something to listen to while working.

Smartphone detox --> uninstall the social apps or stop the notifications

when i was studying i had a windows phone. While many complained about lack of apps, i used it only to communicate and I had no distraction

I'm really thinking about getting the Nokia but maybe I'll hold off until someone develops a new flip phone. I love the nostalgia.

I think the Jelly is a great idea! The full functionality when you need it, but limiting enough that you only use it when you do need it. PERFECT! More people should use jellys!

Thanks for your review. I find it so refreshing to listen and watch someone who is as calm as you are..

*_Please re-do a 2022 version of this. We need this._*

The ideal minimalist smartphone for me is something that's just in between 4-5 inches and with specs that can only run simple apps and not something like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and games like PUBG mobile. Messenger, Snapchat and the like is still useful and not as distracting as the other apps mentioned above so it's a must have. The phone should also have at least 4,000 mAh battery capacity or higher so you wouldn't have to worry about charging it every night. The cameras should also be decent enough not for compulsive selfies but for very important moments like taking a video of a person assaulting someone ( I mean, helping the person is more important but providing a video for the authorities to see would probably cement the case against the suspect).

That line towards the end where he says how no one actually answers their phones anymore... That is so true. I have so many friends and family members that when I try to call, they send it to voicemail and *immediately* text me, "Hey, what's up?" It's so infuriating. I called because easier to tell you what's up over a phone call. It's like no one has any regard that you might be driving, or only have a few minutes in between something at work and need to just communicate something quickly.

Bruh I was faster at texting in T9 than I am with full qwerty

I can text with T9 faster than I type. Predictive is amazing

I love the light phone

This video was beautifully shot, you guys make great content!

Why not buy a basic android smart phone and just install the messaging apps you need, or uninstall anything non essential from your current iPhone and ignore the fluff? Minimalist phones aren't the answer, showing restraint and discipline is. You're basically driving a car into a tree and complaining that the possibility of doing it was the issue. Just don't drive into the tree.

"In this video I'm gonna use minimalist phones to detox! I wanna get away from smartphone features!" Doesn't even try to detox and the entire video is essentially, 'Wowee i tried to use smartphone features! This phone does smartphone features so bad I don't even want to use smartphone features!" Maybe I'm missing something but this video somehow managed to simultaneously be directionless as well as contradictory.

Loveeddd this video so much, thank you for the efforts you put up to make this and the conclusion by the end is so relatable. I've tried switching on to them too but it's hard and you can't be making phone calls all the time. Loved the conclusion you made.

Finally a video I need. Thank you for this video.

This is the nuclear option. I think a more sensible step would be to set a long password and multi-factor authentication the addictive apps... then uninstall/disable them. This would make accessing them enough of a hassle to put you off, unless you really need them. You’ll also get the benefits of a modern phone (decent digital keyboard, gps, music, web connected address book etc), plus much improved battery life.

No. Just forget these phones seriously. The problem is, they are trying to solve a new problem with 20 year old tech. It’s funny that the lite phone 2 is adding a few smart phone features......just don’t bother and keep you smartphone, and delete the apps you don’t want to use.

Very well said. Sums up my journey with minimal phones. Thanks!

I like the topic and arguements, looking at phones from a different perspective (not only specs and etc.)

I shifted to the 3310...its worth every penny

Pro Tip: Just take your old Motorola razer from your drawer. Better for the environment and cheaper

I find it useful to be able to look up stuff on the Internet if I find myself curious about what I'm seeing in real life and it's something that would be lost with a minimalist phone. At the same time, despite having some social media apps on my phone, I mostly ignore the notifications that pop up because I've long since detached myself from that experience, given that I was already not that engaged with it to begin with.

You're a smart guy for using the minimalist phones Good job man We dont need 90 percent of those modern bells and whistles They just clutter your mind

I would give up smart phones (I've done it before), but I'm a merchant sailor. Being able to use Wifi when I go out of country is more convenient than having to buy sim cards for different regions AND smart phones make it easier to handle stuff like bills and home affairs that I can't really manage as easily on a basic phone Otherwise, I'm all for a reality where we get away from social media and smart devices. I think we've allowed them to ruin the way we interact with each other AND how we interact with the direct world around us

5:15 i was hoping so badly he would just throw the phone in the water. Anyone else have that urge? 😄

I have the Punkt MP02, just got it about 2 weeks ago, and I LOVE it. I had a smart phone for years, until I realized that all these screens just weren't good for me. It makes me so much happier without my smart phone.

The verge never disappoints me

I can text using T9 without looking at it. Gimme some time and I can do that again.

I've been using the Nokia 3310 as my daily driver phone for a year now and I love it. I will NEVER go back to a smartphone

I'm in my early 40s and recently got my hands on the 3310. Texting on T9 was surprisingly OK. The old muscle memory for multiple key presses to spell one word was still there.

I don't usually comment, but for this i think this guy should be in more videos explaining and comparing stuff!

The phone isn't the problem. The user is the problem.

Dude is making a minimalist phone review then complains that the phone can’t text or Snapchat. Just call them.

that light phone is gorgeous

Calling, texting/emails, music player and a decent camera, that's all I need.

Smartphone functionality without gizmos? It's called Blackberry10 OS.

Hey Verge, cool video!

Okay, I made this same choice though I went with a smarter feature phone in the Sonim XP5s. In your review you mention a couple of phones that have gotten significant updates. Those are the Lightphone and the Punkt. The Lightphone has a number of additional applications like maps that may make it better for you. The Punkt now has the MP02 which has 4G and improved texting to include their own app that interfaces with Signal. It might be worth looking into them if you decide to revisit this subject.

Lite phone 2 sounds cool. However, I really love the camera on my phone, being able to whip it out and send a video of my daughter learning to say a new word or crawl to her grandparents super easily. A good, portable camera is the most important feature to me have on a phone. But once you add it and the ability to share your photos and videos it pretty much becomes a smart phone

People use a smartphone & the internet for business, its kind hard these days to go without either.

This fool..... “after downloading a few apps.” Lol

I love the concept of Light Phone. But I agree that if it provides the ability to text as well, it will be the bomb.

pumped for the light phone 2!

Just use a old smartphone. I'm using since last october a 100$ Huawei smartphone from 2012. Only notes and urgent phone calls. Battery lasts half week. No regrets

Remember being addicted to your minimalist phone's in the early 2000's.

The video is so beautiful to look at and the music is so well done also love contents, thanks

Great ideas for Father’s Day. Yes, my dad is one of those dads that can’t text or use apps.

The nophone is not here? weird...

The video quality is great

I own a unihertz jelly and I think it's great! Only downsides are the GPS and the battery. Battery will last long enough if you use it as phone and not as a computer.

You got it so right. Ideal survivalist phone would be calls, easy texting. easy google maps. notes. twitter is a little extra but id love only that. No camera, no music. Easy texting is key though.

Just get a flip phone they’re cheaper

These are still smartphones, maybe the less functionality to help with losing the addiction to smartphones but the majority pf the drawbacks are still there. The health concers some people have, and ypu will not be 'disconnected' in any way. Just buy an old phone. Much cheaper.

The sad thing with these phones is no matter how you want to detox and spend time away from your smartphone, many feature phones connect to 2g/3g, which in many countries has already undergone sunset.

Great topic. It'll be interesting to see if this becomes a real trend

But I thought it was pronounced something like "nOHkia" and instead of "noKEEa"

Why can’t the iPhone just support a minimalist skin that you can modify to your liking? Seems like a no brainer for a market that wants to be less connected and could easily be done with something as simple as a toggle in a future OS.

The light phone is a genius idea. It’s also really high fashion. I like how it looks. Plus I don’t really like using phones.

I think I read an article ( couple of months back) that a company is producing a minimalist phone for teenagers with only text, calling, contacts and few base apps. I don't know how soon it was suppose come out.

The perfect minimalist phone would be with spotify, an awesome camera, SMS, phone calls. And basic apps like calender, calculator etc.

Is there an Oculus Go review coming soon ?

This dude is mad chill, lmao On a more tech note though, I like the idea of the Light Phone. I’d be interested in picking one up just to see what it’s like, but realistically, there’s a lot I’d have to give up as well. The ideas of the Light Phone 2 make more sense to me, and I’d imagine it’d be a somewhat practical daily for some people, and an excellent runabout or secondary for most people. I’ll be interested to see what happens when the 2 launches, so I hope this dude makes a return when that comes around. Cheers!

Great production and not a single word abput apple. Keep it up!

if the light phone 2 will have fb messenger, whatsapp or any text app, it would make much much more sense

People will buy anything

I was addicted to my phone, until i actively limited myself during the day, and stopped using my phone in bed and turned social media notifications off, it takes will power to do all this, but once you're in the routine it gets easier, now i appreciate my smartphone, and i talk to people and have more time for my dogs, and they love it!

My understanding is that the Light Phone is not tethered, it can be linked to a primary phone service to allow for call forwarding, or it can be used directly as a primary phone.

T9 too slow for texting? You just be something special buddy.

These phones are just a waste of money. If you want to disconnect yourself just uninstall the app and focus on the things at hand.

light phone seems very cool

I agree with the conclusion of the video, but the problem generally seems to be that different people want different things. What we want is the best parts of old phones (weeks long battery, small sizes, physical keys, smooth performance) but without giving up the functionality of modern smartphones.

Get self control, not a new phone

Ok, I watched this on my Jelly :)

Senior market is a big market that companies tend to forget about, they usually are looking for something light compact simple with minimal functions.

I’m looking for Light Phone 2, concept sounds great and it looks good too.

Why is there no case on the iPhone?

The Jelly is useless. Just buy an iPhone 5.

I tried this life for some years and it was worth while!

The jelly is adorable

"iPhone 6, it's a pretty good phone" Hahahahahahahahahahahaha

Just get an Apple Watch.

We together with wife disabled network features, so have internet access at home or at work, but on the go we are living the moment.

Last summer I traded in my iphone for a flip phone at t mobile. I bought a pocketsized notebook/planner to replace my calendar and to wrote down maps and things I might need. It also allowed me to carry around a couple crossword puzzles to tackle in those moments I would usually scroll through social media. A few months later, I got a new job and decided that I should really have more accessible email, so I got an lg v20, which is what i carry today. I am realizing, tho that I hardly need email so accessible and have really gotten sucked back into the social media black hole (this youtube comment being exhibit a). So the flip phone may be resurfacing soon.