allows you to install all Android apps
So... not a dumbphone then.
this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2025
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Android
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While there is something that attracts me to dumbphones, my problem is that their main function, calling, is something I almost never do.
The blackberry must return.
I still want an updated sidekick. I want it so bad.
Blackberry still exists (albeit mostly as a patent portfolio.) People just stopped buying them.
XXI century person right here
Oooh!
I've been rocking a de-googled but aging CAT S22 Flip since last August (low-end android smartphone in a flip phone form factor). Absolutely love it but sad there is no clear successor when I have to eventually replace it. It's basically the same concept as this phone.
Sadly, this is not a "new" model. He bought it used on eBay, it's got similar specs to my S22, and only runs Android 12. However, that screen is quite nice and would be a huge upgrade from the S22. The unfortunate conclusion is that there is still no clear successor for my S22 unless I want a slightly/barely less out of date phone and go with this one.
I was rocking an S22 for a while too and almost bought one of these. I have up on the S22 because of a few restrictions related to android versions.
Now I'm using the razr 2024 and LET ME TELL YOU. It's so good. It's a vertical flip phone but it has a square screen on the exterior. Now let me tell you my secret. I never open the phone. I never need to. Almost. But it makes the phone a mega-compact. It's not perfect but it's the closest thing to a "small smartphone" that I've been able to achieve and better for me than something like the S22. I highly recommend trying it out. It's also very cheap.
Don't get the fancy version, just the standard razr 2024.
I'd considered the Razr but was uncertain on the durability of it. Reviews were about 50/50 last I read.
That's awesome you mentioned using it closed most of the time. I'm tired of the "tall, skinny rectangle" form factor (and not being able to use it one-handed despite having not-small hands lol). Since smaller phones seem to be extinct, it's cool there's a middle ground in being able to use it that way.
I do need to make sure I can find one that's bootloader unlockable. Kind of a hard requirement for me and necessary to de-google it to my satisfaction. It's not listed as supported by Lineage, but I'll browse XDA and see what they've been able to do with it.
Thanks!
Ah I haven't tried unlocking the bootloader so I can't help you there. I hope it's possible because this is such a good phone for small phone lovers.
I’d considered the Razr but was uncertain on the durability of it. Reviews were about 50/50 last I read.
I have owned a razr 40 for well over a year with no issues. I take pretty good care of my phones and have never dropped it, though. The smaller flip folding phones seem to be a lot more durable than their larger siblings, I guess because the hinge and fold is a lot smaller.
I do need to make sure I can find one that’s bootloader unlockable. Kind of a hard requirement for me and necessary to de-google it to my satisfaction.
I wouldn't bother with flip smartphones if running degoogled Android is something you're unwilling to compromise on. They don't have the user base to attract custom ROM developers and are unlikely to receive that kind of attention unless Google releases a Pixel Flip or something. You need to decide whether the software or hardware is more important - I chose the hardware which meant giving up on degoogled Android for now.
Yeah, then I guess I'll need to keep looking. The hardware can be great, but not when I can't do what I want with it. Thanks for the insight.
XDA does show some people are able to bootloader unlock and root (which is basically all I need), so I may keep tabs on it and go from there.
If you're capable of building LineageOS or something for it then don't let me stop you! I just assumed that you, like most users including myself, would be relying on someone else doing that bit for you and I just don't think that's going to happen any time soon.
Seems like an interesting concept
They're not that great in practice. I have an LG Folder, it's not very enjoyable to use and is probably best as a treatment for smartphone addiction. Old people are better off using actual dumbphones or smartphones with simplified settings, people who want flip/small phones are better off with flip smartphones.
Definitely niche, but I see the appeal for people who want a less distracting phone
Yeah they are a bit of a fad with Gen Z for this reason. Though from what I've seen, a lot of these young people have trouble sticking with them for more than few weeks because they didn't actually grow up with the technology and are quite clueless about what the experience of living with one is actually like. I think the best solution to this problem of screen time and smartphone addiction is to modify your existing phone and develop behaviours that help you regulate its use, but for Gen Z this is difficult because a) they aren't old enough/have enough life experience yet to be capable of this kind of personal transformation and b) their lifestyle is so centred around presenting themselves favourably online and to their peers. Offloading all the effort on to a Y2K style product is a much more attractive solution for them.
meh