5 “dumb phones” that can still run WhatsApp

Smartphones have long been the dominant on-the-go communication device, and have outsold their cheaper feature phone counterparts for over a decade. But if recent reports are to be believed, the Luddite revival is fueling demand for mobile devices that can do, well, not much.

So-called dumb phones could help people digitally detox amid fears that doom scrolling and 24/7 connectivity are having an adverse impact on mental well-being. Such concerns are becoming even more apparent as parents increasingly seek to delay their children’s inevitable introduction to smartphones.

Due to this, a specific market has even emerged in which companies such as Light and Punkt produce minimalist phones for a seemingly still niche market. However, one common complaint from people looking to try this lifestyle is that these minimalist phones lack one key feature: a messaging app.

Sure, while SMS enables text-based communication on any mobile device, cross-platform chat apps with multimedia group messaging are the gold standard in today’s digital world.

WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging app in the world, with over 2 billion users and over 100 million daily active users in the United States alone. Last year, the Meta-owned messaging app received a game-changing feature for those looking to dive into the digital detox domain: support for multiple devices and more than one mobile phone. That is, those who do not want to entirely ditch their smartphone, can now run a second device with simultaneous access to the exact same WhatsApp account – perfect for when they want to go out without the constant distraction of a fully functional mobile phone.

However, there is a lack of stupid phones that support WhatsApp. KaiOS phones used to be the best choice as WhatsApp introduced a native app for the operating system due to its popularity in India and other markets. However, WhatsApp recently announced that it is ending support for KaiOS.

So basically we’re left with Android. However, there are a few phones that run a version of Google’s ubiquitous operating system without all the bells and whistles found in a full-fledged smartphone – or at least are designed to make using the Internet easier. somewhat unattractive.

So here, in no particular order, are five dumb phones to help you stay connected in a world where WhatsApp rules messaging.

Emporia Touchsmart.2

It’s a quaint little flip phone from the Austrian company Emporia, which focuses on digital gadgets for seniors. The Touchsmart.2 has Android Go under the hood, but it doesn’t have any Google Play tomfoolery, so there’s no app store or anything like that. It simply comes with WhatsApp pre-installed, as well as Signal and Telegram for those who prefer something less Facebook-esque.

While it has the traditional “look” of an old-school Nokia clamshell, you don’t have to use the bulky physical keyboard if you don’t want to; The small 3.25-inch screen also supports touch and, if desired, can also be equipped with an optional on-screen keyboard.

Truth be told, it’s not as great a phone as you might expect, and you probably wouldn’t buy it for its 8-megapixel camera or FM radio. But it includes USB-C, 4G, a basic browser, and most important of all, WhatsApp, with voice and video calling support. In other words, it does what it promises: keeps you connected with minimal distractions.

Although Emporia doesn’t officially ship outside of Europe, those who want to get creative with their purchase can expect a price tag of around €130.

TTfone TT970

Like Emporia, UK and UAE-based phone maker TTfone produces simple devices aimed at older users; The TT970 even has a large “SOS” emergency button on the back that can be assigned to any phone number. The clamshell form factor and Android operating system put it in a similar position to the Touchsmart.2, but while the TT970 doesn’t have any app store to speak of, it comes with a few extra apps pre-installed in addition to WhatsApp, including Facebook Lite, YouTube , email and browser. You may like it or not, but it will check most boxes for people looking for a viable alternative to a smartphone.

The TT970 costs £120 ($160), although you can likely find it cheaper in various markets, and TTfone says it ships to several international markets, including the US and Canada, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and Poland.

TTfone also sells a cheaper TT950 model that supports WhatsApp; it costs £80 ($107).

Cat S22

The Cat S22 Android flip phone is the brainchild of US construction giant Caterpillar, which touts it as a “rugged” mobile phone for people working in industries where devices can be susceptible to damage.

Unlike the Touchsmart.2 or TT970, the Cat S22 supports a more complete version of Android Go from Google Play, so you can access the full range of smartphone services. However, given the modest dimensions of this device, the 2.8-inch touchscreen probably won’t be very encouraging for TikToking or YouTube.

The Cat S22 will cost around $70 on Amazon (though you can probably find it cheaper) and is technically intended for T-Mobile and its affiliated MVNO networks. However, there is an unlocked version available that works with most GSM carriers, including AT&T.

M7 General Meeting

The Chinese company AGM Mobile specializes in durable mobile devices. The AGM M7 deviates from the first three on this list because it is not a flip phone; it has an old-school keyboard, but for those who don’t want to go back to the T9 technology from 2006, the 2.4-inch touchscreen comes to the rescue.

It is worth noting that unlike the rugged Cat S22 mobile phone, the AGM M7 NO you have an app store, which means you won’t be able to install anything on it yourself. But apart from WhatsApp, it has Facebook, TikTok, Skype and Zello walkie-talkie app pre-installed.

The AGM M7 retails for $120 and ships worldwide.

Unihertz: Jelly Star

China’s Unihertz says its goal is to “create unique smartphones for niche groups of people,” with everything from QWERTY phones and rugged devices to small smartphones.

For those who can’t step back two decades and reach for the humble flip phone, Unihertz offers a range of tiny cell phones that, while technically smartphones, are small enough to be unaffected by the bright lights and distractions of the global Internet.

The Jelly series includes the Jelly Star running Android 13. This is something you may not like to use – apart from the fact that its screen is only 3 inches. Sure, it doesn’t fit the strict definition of “stupid,” although some may find the device a bit silly, but we all have to find a compromise somewhere — and that’s a solution more people can agree on as part of a digital detox program.

Unihertz Jelly Star costs approximately $200 and is available worldwide.