You don’t need to go to extreme lengths to curb your social media addiction. Yes, you can lock your phone in a drawer to keep Twitter at bay, or turn on grayscale to make Instagram less eye-catching, but there are easier ways to unplug.
Take dumb phones, for instance. The devices are throwbacks to a simpler time when phones couldn’t connect to the internet. Back when your ringtone was more important than your profile pic and we were all typing out smileys in texts.
If you just want to go back to 1999, you’re in luck. Nokia has released a pair of retro phones complete with physical keypads that hark back to the iconic 8210. The company has carved out a niche as the go-to maker of surprisingly solid feature phones that offer simple retro delights. And the Nokia 150 and 130 follow that esteemed lineage.
So, if you still like making calls instead of sending voice notes, and bashing out texts over bland auto-predict messages, these are the phones for you. As far as procrastination goes, you won’t find TikTok or Tinder on these simpletons. If you’re looking to kill time, you’ll have to settle for a game of Snake. Trust us, it will be worth it just to see the look of bemusement on your partner’s face when they peep over your shoulder.
The Nokia 150 also comes with a “long-lasting” battery that should keep chatterboxes happy. For all the nostalgists still pining after their iPods, the phone has an MP3 player, which you can enjoy through your wired headphones — no Bluetooth here, babes.
Alas, you’ll probably still need a mate to whip out their Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 when it comes time to take a group pic. The Nokia 150’s single camera probably takes grainy photos at best due to its titchy 0.3-megapixel lens.
Heck, they’ll probably think you’re insane when they find out your Nokia 130 doesn’t even have a camera. But the joke’s on them. While they’re doom-scrolling on TikTok, you’re free to touch a whole lot of grass, read a book, or meditate. Plus, they just splurged a massive chunk of their wages on their new blower, while you saved a ton on yours.
The Nokia 130 and 150 will cost you around £40, also making them a great present for young teens —or ideal burner phones.
