It sounds like a joke at first. In the age of TikTok, Instagram filters, and mobile banking apps, who would willingly give up their sleek smartphone for a chunky old Nokia with physical buttons?
Yet this is exactly what’s happening across the United Kingdom. More and more people are ditching their iPhones and Samsungs for so-called “dumbphones” or “feature phones”. Once mocked as relics of the early 2000s, these devices are enjoying a quiet comeback. From teenagers wanting fewer distractions to parents worried about screen addiction, the UK is seeing a small but significant trend that surprises tech companies. And while Brits simplify their devices, they still find ways to enjoy modern pleasures—from streaming to new casinos not on GamStop—though often with a twist.
Nostalgia Meets Digital Burnout
One of the biggest drivers behind this trend is digital fatigue. According to Ofcom’s 2023 report, the average Brit spends over 4 hours a day on their smartphone, with teenagers spending close to 7 hours daily. Constant pings from social media, WhatsApp groups, and news alerts make it feel like we are always “on”. This pressure to be permanently available has sparked a movement towards digital minimalism. People are asking: do we really need an app for everything?
Enter the dumbphone. With limited features, no constant updates, and little more than calls, texts, and maybe a simple camera, these devices allow users to escape the endless stream of notifications. A survey by Light Phone, a US company selling minimalist mobiles, found that 78% of their customers bought the phone to cut down on screen time. In the UK, online retailers report that sales of basic phones jumped by five per cent in 2022, a figure small compared to smartphone sales but big enough to catch attention.
Safety, Privacy, and Peace of Mind
Parents are another group embracing the dumbphone revival. Concerned about the risks of cyberbullying, online predators, and addictive apps, many now hand their children simple phones that allow calling and texting—but nothing else. A 2022 study from Internet Matters found that 62% of UK parents worry their kids spend too much time online. By giving them a Nokia brick instead of a smartphone, parents feel they can keep them connected without the dangers of endless scrolling.
There is also the matter of privacy. Smartphones track users constantly, from GPS location to browsing history. For those who value discretion, the appeal of a dumbphone is obvious. It does not collect data in the same way, nor does it bombard you with targeted adverts. In a society where hacking scandals and data leaks are common, going back to basics can feel oddly secure.
A Fashion Statement
For younger people, dumbphones are also becoming a style accessory. Just as vinyl records and vintage fashion made comebacks, so too have retro gadgets. Influencers on TikTok and Instagram show off their brightly coloured flip phones as ironic but cool fashion choices. In clubs across London and Manchester, you’ll now spot Gen Z pulling out devices that look like they belong to an early Big Brother episode. Some even decorate them with stickers and charms, turning the cheap phone into a quirky personal statement.
Caroline, a 19-year-old student in Leeds, told The Sun: “I got a pink Motorola flip phone on eBay for £20. It feels fun, like I’ve gone back in time. Plus, I’m not wasting hours on Instagram anymore. If I want to post, I just use my tablet at home.” Stories like hers are increasingly common.
The Cost Factor
Money is another reason why Brits are reconsidering their tech. With the cost-of-living crisis still biting, paying £1,000 for the latest iPhone plus monthly contracts can feel excessive. Dumbphones, by contrast, are cheap. A basic Nokia model can cost as little as £25, and it often lasts for years. Battery life is another plus: while smartphones need daily charging, a dumbphone can last up to two weeks on a single charge. For cash-strapped households, the savings are hard to ignore.
A report by Counterpoint Research in 2022 estimated that global sales of feature phones reached 80 million units, with demand remaining steady in both developing and developed markets. The UK is only a small slice of this, but it reflects a shift in consumer priorities: not everyone wants or needs a pocket-sized supercomputer.
The Dark Side of Smartphones
The dumbphone revival cannot be understood without looking at the darker side of smartphone use. Studies link heavy screen time to anxiety, poor sleep, reduced attention spans, and even depression. The Royal Society for Public Health found that 70% of young people say social media makes them feel worse about their body image. Meanwhile, NHS doctors warn about “doomscrolling”, the compulsive habit of consuming negative news online.
For older generations, smartphones have also become a source of frustration. Updates that break apps, complex interfaces, and endless security warnings make technology feel overwhelming. For a pensioner who just wants to call their grandchildren, a simple phone with big buttons is a relief.
Entertainment Still Finds a Way
Yet going “back to basics” doesn’t mean giving up on entertainment altogether. Many Brits who adopt dumbphones still keep a tablet, smart TV, or laptop at home. They may not want social media in their pocket, but they are happy to binge Netflix on the sofa or play a few online games in the evening. The paradox is that while dumbphones reduce mobile addiction, overall online entertainment remains strong.
Interestingly, online gambling has continued to grow in this environment. The UK Gambling Commission reported that online betting reached £6.4 billion in revenue in 2022, up from £5.7 billion in 2019. This shows that even if people cut back on smartphone use, they are still drawn to digital play when at home.
A Temporary Trend or a Lasting Shift?
Sceptics argue that the dumbphone craze is a passing fad, driven by nostalgia and TikTok trends. After all, most modern life requires smartphone features—mobile banking, NHS apps, ticket scanning for trains and flights. Without these, dumbphone users may find themselves carrying a second device or constantly borrowing a friend’s smartphone.
But experts believe there could be a middle ground. Tech giants are already introducing “focus” modes on smartphones that limit app usage, screen time reminders, and grayscale displays to make phones less addictive. At the same time, companies like Nokia and Punkt are producing minimalist phones designed specifically for digital detoxers. If this hybrid approach grows, the dumbphone might remain more than just a quirky phase.
The Psychological Appeal
Psychologists suggest that part of the appeal is control. Smartphones make people feel like they are controlled by algorithms, adverts, and endless notifications. A dumbphone flips this dynamic: you choose when to connect, rather than being constantly pulled in. In a world filled with uncertainty—from rising bills to climate change—this sense of control, however small, can be comforting.
As Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, a UK psychologist, put it: “Choosing a simpler device is about reclaiming your time and mental space. It sends a signal that you are not at the mercy of endless notifications. That small act can make a big difference to wellbeing.”
The dumbphone revival may not overthrow the smartphone empire, but it highlights something important: people are rethinking their relationship with technology. The UK’s return to button phones shows a hunger for simplicity, privacy, and peace of mind in an increasingly noisy digital world.
Whether the trend lasts or not, it speaks to a wider cultural shift. Brits are no longer blindly chasing the latest gadget—they are choosing devices that suit their lifestyle, even if that means sacrificing convenience. In an ironic twist, the future of technology in Britain may well include a healthy dose of the past.
