5 reasons to try Flip Phone February

Embracing a feature phone doesn’t have to mean going cold turkey on your smartphone

Smartphones are great, and we’re not here to convince you otherwise. They enable us to share, to find inspiration, to find the best route from A to B – they even help us pay for things at the till. With features and content seemingly limited only to selection of apps available – over 3.5 million in the case of the Google app store – it's not difficult to see how smartphones have become such an integral part of everyday life.

But sometimes, too much of a good thing can become… well, not so good. Excess screen time is damaging to our health. This isn’t news. Look it up and you’ll have no shortage of articles,studies, reports and papers on the topic.

If you’re someone who has considered reducing their screen time, you might have been tempted to switch to a “dumphone,” only to realize that a lot of smartphone features have, at some point, slinked away from the category of “convenience” and closer to that of “necessity.” That group chat with your friends, the maps that save you from getting lost, the wallet app that has you covered when you forgot your wallet – they just aren’t available on those good old-fashioned feature phones.

The answer may not be to make a hard switch – it might just be a matter of finding a balance. And what better time to try to find that balance than Flip Phone February? Let’s take a look at a few benefits you might experience by adding a flip phone to your roster of devices.

Reason #1: Better sleep

Spending too much time glued to screens can mess with your sleep. Videos, games and doomscrolling can get your mind racing, making it harder to wind down and relax when it's time to hit the hay. If you feel like you aren’t catching enough quality Z's, it might be time to dial back on the screen time before bed. With a flip phone, that temptation is pretty much taken out of the equation.

If you need a smartphone during the day, no problem. When it’s time to hit the hay, disconnect your smartphone from the internet and leave it in another room. Modern Nokia feature phones have alarm clocks, so take one to your bedside instead of a smartphone for an easy way to cut out some screen time.

Reason #2: Improved wellbeing

Like smartphones themselves, social media is great – in moderation. But studies have shown that over-using it can lead to feelings of depression and loneliness. FOMO – Fear of Missing Out – may sometimes compel us to be constantly online and available, but trying to meet that expectation can be emotionally and mentally draining.

Again, connecting with friends and family online is not a bad thing – it only becomes detrimental to our health when we put too much of ourselves into maintaining our online presence. So take a break. A flip phone lets you get offline, even for just a day.

Reason #3: They’re stylish

Rocking a flip phone isn't just about nostalgia; it’s also a style statement. Flip phones give off a retro vibe that stands out in a sea of smartphones, making a statement that you're not afraid to go against the mainstream. They embody a sense of simplicity and focus, reminding us of a time when phones didn’t come attached with distractions.

So, if you're looking to add a touch of classic flair to your tech game while staying true to your individuality, check out the Nokia 2660 Flip – you’re spoiled for choice of colors.

Reason: #4: The snap

What better way to end a call than with a satisfying “snap.” It’s dramatic. It’s cathartic. It’s a statement in and of itself. Once you Snap, you don’t go back.

We kept this reason short and snappy.

Reason #5: The battery life

If your first phone was a feature phone, you probably have fond memories of its battery life. They could last days, even weeks if they left on stand-by. Smartphones, with their larger, more powerful screens and impressive computing power understandably need to be plugged in and juiced up more often.

And this ties in with your wellbeing. It turns out that low-battery anxiety is a thing. If you have ever caught yourself frantically looking around for the nearest power outlet or scrambling to borrow a charger, you may understand the feeling. A flip phone with a long-lasting battery can really reduce that stress. Not only do they need charging less frequently, but if you’re looking to strike that smartphone-feature phone balance, you may decide to keep both on hand. So if your smartphone does run out of juice while you’re out and about, having your flip phone handy means you’re still reachable.

Ready to take the flip?

There’s a lot of talk around reducing screen time and digital detoxing – and rightfully, so. The potential health and social benefits are well documented. But it’s understandable that some people may be hesitant to part with their smartphones given how integrated they have become with everyday life. So, this February, don’t think of the “Flip Phone challenge” as some all-or-nothing commitment, if that sounds daunting. Instead, think of it as a chance to experience the best of both worlds.

Small changes have a big impact. And because they’re affordable, you’ll likely find that a flip phone is a small investment that will have a big impact on your mental health for the better.