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See the 6 most popular 'dumb phones' Gen Z is copping in a rejection of smartphone culture

See the 6 most popular 'dumb phones' Gen Z is copping in a rejection of smartphone culture

Jordan Hart

Gen Zers have never known life before the internet, but some are trying to go back to a time without smartphones and Instagram posts.Erik Von Weber/Getty Images

Members of the generation that grew up online are rejecting smartphone culture by returning to flip phones.
The "dumb phones" often don't have access to popular social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.

Gen Z has sparked a resurgence of "dumb phones" in an effort to disconnect from social media and step away from the generation's chronically online persona.

Teenagers and twenty-somethings say they're looking for less in a device to avoid distractions and take more breaks from their screens. Denkou Images/Getty Images

Source: Insider

The rise of dumb phones comes in part thanks to movements like the Luddite Club, a group of New York City teenagers who swore off smartphones in 2022.

A young woman uses a smartphone. Getty Images

Source: Insider

Here are some of the pared-down phones they're buying.

A woman holds up the StarTAC mobile phone (left), and a Motorola phone from its "Slim Line." Reuters

Nokia 2780

Courtesy of Nokia

Cost: $90

Capabilities: 4G LTE, 5-megapixel rear-camera with flash and video capabilities, FM radio and an audio jack for headphones

AT&T Cingular Flex

Courtesy of AT&T

Cost: $40

Capabilities: 4G LTE, Bluetooth and WiFi support, 2-megapixel rear-camera with LED flash, four gigabytes of memory, microSD port for more storage

Punkt MP02

Courtesy of Punkt

Cost: $399

Capabilities: Downloadable privacy feature for encrypted calling, internet access via WiFi tethering with tablets or laptops

Kyocera DuraXV Extreme+

Courtesy of Kyocera

Cost: $250

Capabilities: "Virtually indestructible," waterproof, 5-megapixel rear-camera with LED flash, customizable menu, multiple battery modes to help conserve energy and monitor use, pre-installed SIM card

TCL Classic

Courtesy of TCL

Cost: $75

Capabilities: Battery that can last up to 16 days from a single charge, 4G, Bluetooth and WiFi, hotspot for up to 10 other devices, 2-megapixel rear-camera without flash

Alcatel SMARTFLIP

Courtesy of Alcatel

Cost: $60

Capabilities: 4G LTE, hearing aid compatibility, battery supports up to six hours of talk time, microSD port for more storage, 2-megapixel camera without flash