Surviving Modern Life with a Flip Phone (Barely)
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Mama was right: Smartphones are frying our brains. App locks, screentime reminders, digital detoxes: we’ve tried them all. Nothing sticks because hone

I’ve been using a flip phone as my daily driver for a while now. The smartphone is still around, but it mostly sits in a drawer until bureaucracy or banking apps force me to use it.

For me, the benefits are clear: less distraction, more focus, better sleep. But I know for many people it’s not so easy. Essential apps, social pressure, work requirements… these are real blockers.

I’d like to start a discussion (almost like an informal poll):

  • If you thought about switching, what’s the single biggest thing that holds you back?

  • Is it banking? Messaging? Maps? Something else?

I’m genuinely curious because if we can identify the main pain points, maybe it’s possible to work on solutions or even start a small project around it.

So: what would need to change for you to actually give a flip phone a try?

  • wulrus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    3 hours ago

    Yes, I had to delete lemmy, reddit, twitter, mastodon, all games etc.

    But I see 0 harm in:

    • 2FA authenticator apps (google authenticator, app for government ID, bank, …)
    • DHL (unlocks packing station / parcel distributing machine here)
    • calendar (with voice assistant)
    • Pixel, iPhone, Samsung and some others are a fantastic camera! 10 years ago, it’d be a great deal just for that one feature. I used to pay USD/EUR 250 - 500 for a hobby-level camera that was worse
    • read my mobile CO2 sensor
    • not crucial, but occasionally show someone something in a video call
    • send injured animal photo / video right to the wildlife rescue station for advice (~ 2x per year)
    • plain old mp3 player
    • some might read eBooks, which is a good use of it, but I still prefer a hardcopy

    So yes, on my 2nd smartphone only (first in 2021), but I find that it’s worth it these days.

    Enshittification intensifies, but a Linux phone might become very viable in a few years, especially when LLM adapters become easier to use. Self-hosted alternatives to google/apple photos are already very advanced.