Average IQ Phone Rant
I've posted on here before about what I am looking for in a phone and immediately was shot down by people who disregarded basically every issue that I had mentioned I have with modern phones by saying "It sounds like the phone you have is perfect for you" simply because it wasn't what their idea of a true dumbphone is. If you're someone who wants the latest and greatest device, there is a plethora of options for you. If you're someone who wants a true dumbphone experience there are likewise many devices to choose from. But, if you're someone who is looking for something in the middle of all of that it gets extremely difficult.
What I want is a standard T9 keypad clamshell Flip phone with 5G and Android 16. I want a phone that doesn't sell itself through being another means to doomscroll, take insane photos, or play mobile games. I want full US carrier support that has great 5G service, an OS that can support any banking app, and offers GPS with Android Auto. Bonus if it has a headphone jack, microSD slot, and tap to pay features. The phone I am asking for has a retro feel with the ability to support a modern lifestyle. The feeling of opening and closing a phone to pick up and end calls is so satisfying.
I think the Mive Folder 2 is the closest thing I've seen but its two major problems are a lack of support in the U.S. with 5G bands and it uses Android 14 at best. There are phones I've seen like the Titan2 that are clearly advertising themselves to the smartphone user that wants a blackberry but I'm 28 years old and when blackberry was popular it was the boomer phone. Made for the elderly AKA millennials who wanted to send emails. The clamshell is what every kid pulled out at the lunch table with unique stickers and key chains on them. I will admit there is of course nostalgia in my desire but I also am confident that such a phone would have a strong market in the U.S. of people who feel it could move them away from staring at a large screen. Make the screen look terrible, give it a 3mp camera, and make it terrible at streaming video for all I care. I want banking, GPS, and email (I'm old too now), on a classic feeling phone.
I understand everyone has a different lifestyle but I want to end my rant on apps. I think when I a lot of people talk about modern apps they think about social media, games, google services, and other messaging apps. I've seen a lot of people give great advice on how to de-google ones life or move away from most modern apps entirely, but again this is just something that is extremely unrealistic for people like myself. Whether I like it or not, so many private companies have opted to using a smart phone application or QR codes to utilize their services. In some cases there are alternatives to an app but they make it nearly impossible or frustratingly difficult to accomplish whatever task you're after. For example, when I need to access my medical records or to put in for a refill on my medications, they've made it so much easier to open a secure app and have them in seconds than to call and be told to check the app or drive 30 plus minutes to my hospital and request physical copies or schedule an appointment for what is the click of a button on an app. Also my security system in my home needs an app to operate and when I'm out of town I don't feel like keeping a laptop in my car to check my cameras fast to see if my dog is safe.
I think a solid small screen flip phone that capitalizes on the nostalgia of that clamshell feel while offering the utility of a modern phone would be so enticing for your average smartphone user that is interested in slowing down.