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Ask HN: What is the best “dumb” phone?

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Re: Ask HN: What is the best “dumb” phone?

#152

Anyone have suggestions for dumb phones that will work with Verizon? I'm still on a Samsung Intensity II from ~2011 because from what I can tell there aren't any non-flip-phone dumbphones that work with Verizon anymore.

They have quite a few options at https://www.verizonwireless.com/basic-phones/

I have used the Exalt and the Kyocera DuraXV. Both are great phones and even allow you to create hot spots with them.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best “dumb” phone?

#153
post #18

You will be in a tough spot if you're in the USA. All the nice Nokias and decent low-tech phones are rapidly becoming useless as carriers phase out 2g (and even 3g) coverage to free up bands for LTE and now 5g. If your "dumbphone" doesn't support VoLTE you'll be frustrated with dropped calls and spotty service everywhere. I know this from experience. I settled on T-Mobile's only "dumbphone" - the Alcatel GoFlip [1].…

> I tried turning my smartphone into a "dumbphone" and using it less, but I honestly lacked the self-control to put the stupid thing down Did you remove the browsers and app store as well? I got rid of everything except for phone/texting, Slack (for work), and non-bingy convenience apps like Maps/Yelp/etc. On Android, it can be done with the adb shell without rooting, even the 'uninstallable' apps like Google search…

Great idea! I guess that way you don't get app updates tho?

Re: Ask HN: What is the best “dumb” phone?

#154

This might be of interest to you: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/privo-mobile Looks like they are trying to make a dumb phone that has better UX like a smart phone.

What are the odds this project works? Just curious as making a functioning cellphone sounds difficult.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best “dumb” phone?

#155
post #18

You will be in a tough spot if you're in the USA. All the nice Nokias and decent low-tech phones are rapidly becoming useless as carriers phase out 2g (and even 3g) coverage to free up bands for LTE and now 5g. If your "dumbphone" doesn't support VoLTE you'll be frustrated with dropped calls and spotty service everywhere. I know this from experience. I settled on T-Mobile's only "dumbphone" - the Alcatel GoFlip [1].…

Surprisingly effective way to make your phone less addicting: put it in greyscale

Re: Ask HN: What is the best “dumb” phone?

#156
post #152

Anyone have suggestions for dumb phones that will work with Verizon? I'm still on a Samsung Intensity II from ~2011 because from what I can tell there aren't any non-flip-phone dumbphones that work with Verizon anymore.

They have quite a few options at https://www.verizonwireless.com/basic-phones/ I have used the Exalt and the Kyocera DuraXV. Both are great phones and even allow you to create hot spots with them.

Those are all flip phones though. I want something in the old candy bar style. I guess technically there is that Sonim phone, but it's ugly as sin.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best “dumb” phone?

#157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I tried turning my smartphone into a "dumbphone" and using it less, but I honestly lacked the self-control to put the stupid thing down Did you remove the browsers and app store as well? I got rid of everything except for phone/texting, Slack (for work), and non-bingy convenience apps like Maps/Yelp/etc. On Android, it can be done with the adb shell without rooting, even the 'uninstallable' apps like Google search…

Great idea! I guess that way you don't get app updates tho?

The apps you'd have to uninstall/reinstall manually for updated versions but I did still get a few official Samsung updates come through recently so I guess those aren't tied to the Play Store. I think at least one of those reinstalled some of the apps I had removed but other than that it went ok.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best “dumb” phone?

#159
post #18

You will be in a tough spot if you're in the USA. All the nice Nokias and decent low-tech phones are rapidly becoming useless as carriers phase out 2g (and even 3g) coverage to free up bands for LTE and now 5g. If your "dumbphone" doesn't support VoLTE you'll be frustrated with dropped calls and spotty service everywhere. I know this from experience. I settled on T-Mobile's only "dumbphone" - the Alcatel GoFlip [1].…

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