Dialing up nights out: Heineken® & Bodega launch the no-frills ‘boring phone’
- Heineken® and US brand and retail marketplace Bodega have launched ‘The Boring Phone', to help people discover there is more to their social life when there is less on their phone
- Produced by Human Mobile Devices (HMD), ‘The Boring Phone’ takes things back to basics with no access to the internet, social media or other apps
- Building on the theme of digital disconnection, HMD debuts white label business announced at MWC in 2024 with new collaborators Heineken and Bodega
- The device will be shown for the first time on Thursday 18th April at a pop-up Bodega at Milan Design Week; the world’s leading festival for design and innovation
- Following research that reveals 90% of people admit to habitually scrolling on nights out, Heineken® has answered the “call” from young adults who want to disconnect from their tech
Heineken®, in collaboration with tastemakers in street culture, Bodega have launched ‘The Boring Phone’ produced by Human Mobile Devices (HMD).
The limited run of ‘dumb’ phones - specifically designed to have reduced tech capabilities - has been created to encourage people to enjoy better real-life connections on nights out by disconnecting from their smartphones.
With smartphones becoming so advanced and interesting to the user, it’s easier than ever to connect to the online world but harder to stay in the moment. Produced by European mobile innovator, Human Mobile Devices (HMD), the Heineken® x Bodega Boring Phone strips back the distractions of today’s smartphones. Designed to deliver the basics needed for a great night out, the phone’s primary function is to send and receive calls and text messages.
The phone’s transparent casing and holographic stickers draw inspiration from Gen Z’s love of Newtro fashion and design and are reminiscent of mobile phones of the early 2000s. With modern-day frills removed, the phone is unable to download social media or other apps that take away from being present. It also has a handy week of standby time and up to 20 hours of talk time.¹
As smartphones continue to dominate attention spans globally, new research commissioned by Heineken® reveals 90% of Zillennials² across the UK and US confess to doom scrolling while socialising with friends and family; checking their devices seven times each night out on average.
When it comes to the biggest distractions, two-thirds admit to checking social media (62%) when hanging out with others, while over a third (36%) confess to checking work emails. Three in ten (30%) also revealed they sneakily play games instead of engaging with their family and friends in the moment.
But as over a third (37%) reveal that they check their phones more often than they should when socialising, the tide is beginning to turn with 32% admitting they would like to be able to switch off from their phones while on a night out.
Encouragingly, one in five (22%) revealed they already turn their phone off or leave it at home ahead of social occasions and a further two in five (38%) say they’d consider doing so.
Heineken® and Bodega have embarked on this partnership to show people that there is more to their social life when there is less on their phone.
Emerging Ibiza-based, British producer, TSHA, who is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young artists in the industry, will be celebrating The Boring Phone launch with a giveaway to fans, having experienced first-hand how smart tech serves as a barrier to being in the moment at music events.
Heineken® and Bodega will unveil The Boring Phone at Milan Design Week on Thursday 18th April, with a party hosted by the collaborators. Following this, devices will be given away to revellers around the world, so they can disconnect, reclaim quality time with friends, family and loved ones, and dial up their nights out.
An app that will turn smartphones boring will also be launched in June to give those who don’t manage to get their hands on a physical device the Boring Phone experience.
To discover more about The Boring Phone and why ditching smart tech enables better nights out, visit: www.heineken.com/theboringphone.
¹ Standby time up to 7 days in laboratory conditions as tested by HMD Global Oy
² Heineken commissioned survey of 4,000 Gen Z and Millennial Smartphone users of legal drinking age (2,000 UK, and 2,000 USA). Conducted by OnePoll, March 2024. Data can be separated into just UK/US/Gen Z/Millennial demographics if required. Further data from Italy, Brazil, Germany and Mexico available upon request.