A Dumb Company Dared Me to Trade My iPhone for a Hacked Flip Phone

When Lydia Peabody noticed her friend using a flip phone at a gathering last year, she burst into laughter.

“I was like, ‘Girl, seriously? Is that for real?’” Peabody shared with TechCrunch. It turned out her friend was participating in Month Offline, a community initiative that encourages participants to trade their smartphones for flip phones.

At first, Peabody couldn’t picture living without her smartphone, but her friend’s choice ignited something within her. Fast forward a year, and her life took a different direction. She transitioned from her job as a licensed therapist to become the founding CMO of Dumb Co, a company inspired by the Month Offline challenge. She discovered a newfound sense of happiness.

“I did Month Offline, and suddenly I was like, ‘Wow, why am I feeling less anxious? Is this happiness I’m feeling?’” she said. “I didn’t realize how much time I spent on my screen after work and how it impacted me negatively.”

Dumb Co sells flip phones that sync with smartphones, providing a blend of modern technology and retro simplicity. The venture began with funding from friends and family and is now run by a small, youthful team frustrated with the fast pace of contemporary life. They grew up with iPads and Instagram but crave a simpler existence.

Within an unassuming $20 TCL flip phone, Dumb Co incorporates its own software, enabling access to applications like WhatsApp, Spotify, Apple Music, and Uber. You can even use iMessage through a third-party app (discreetly, of course). By offering recognizable features like music streaming and navigation on a flip phone, Dumb Co appeals to those wanting to reduce screen time while navigating a smartphone-driven world.

“We’re crafting something that allows you to leave your smartphone at home and genuinely connect with your life and those around you,” Afreka Ebanks, Dumb Co’s communications director, told TechCrunch. “And when you do want to use your smartphone, you can always return to it, since call and text forwarding can be toggled off.”

I spent over a month testing the device known as the Dumb Phone, comforted by the knowledge that my iPhone was just a call away in case of emergencies. Initially, I didn’t rely on the Dumb Phone much, but as I showcased it to friends, I started to notice their intrigued expressions.

“I’ve had some really interesting conversations when people spot me at a stoplight and ask, ‘What is that gadget?’” Ebanks, who had personalized her flip phone, mentioned. “It’s a wonderful conversation starter, and it’s fascinating to see both myself and others interact socially without the distraction of looking down at our phones.”

Although the Dumb Phone has its awkward moments and operates more slowly than I’m used to, I find myself using it less than I would if my iPhone were available. Still, there’s something refreshing about realizing that if you want to scroll through social media or check your emails, you simply can’t.

When I spoke to Peabody later during my trial month of both phones, she asked if I had ever left home with only the flip phone. I had to admit I hadn’t. I reasoned that I sometimes need to check transit schedules or stay updated with work while out.

“Honestly, when you say you need something, it’s like saying, ‘I need food or shelter,’” Peabody clarified. “Sure, knowing the bus times is useful, but if you don’t have that information, you can always ask someone nearby, ‘Do you know when the next bus is?’”

Peabody urged me to leave my iPhone behind. On the day of our discussion, I needed to cover an event at a library across town. I mentioned my uncertainty about the library’s location and subway stops. She suggested I write down the directions beforehand. I was worried about recording interviews at the event without my iPhone, to which she reminded me that the Dumb Phone could record audio.

“I genuinely encourage you to try this because it’s an experience best lived,” Peabody insisted. “When I switched to a Dumb Phone last summer, I spent seven weeks without my smartphone during a cross-country road trip to New Mexico. I never thought I could do that, but trust me, you can!”

I found it hard to justify my excuses. Peabody traveled thousands of miles without a smartphone. What could I say about my need for an iPhone just to confirm that Tasker-Morris is indeed the right train stop?

While smartphones and social media aren’t entirely negative, they do offer genuine advantages. Connecting with friends online, sharing photos with family, or utilizing digital payments can be immensely helpful. Although researchers don’t characterize smartphone dependency as a drug addiction, there are indeed parallels. It’s not that everyone has a contentious relationship with their phones, but for people like me, excessive screen time often elevates anxiety and disrupts focus. Peabody even compared her phone dependency to a college vaping habit.

“Breaking that addiction was difficult, but now I can’t stand the sight of a vape — I think, ‘No way, I don’t want that,’” she shared. “When I stopped using my smartphone for seven weeks, I sometimes fantasized about going back, yet I felt a powerful aversion. I completely avoided looking at or touching it.”

Despite my initial hesitance to part with my iPhone, I relied on my understanding of the transit system and successfully made my way across town without it (though I admit I did send a text to confirm the library was at the Tasker-Morris stop). When lengthy texts proved difficult for T9 typing, I resorted to voice messages. I felt more connected to my surroundings, and everything unfolded smoothly.

While I don’t intend to switch entirely to the Dumb Phone, I value it as a tool for becoming more conscious of when and how I use my smartphone. The Dumb Phone includes a black velour pouch for storing your smartphone when you leave it at home. I may not yet be prepared to abandon my iPhone completely, but I took the pouch on a beach trip just in case. Although I used it occasionally for ordering food and checking train schedules, I resisted reaching for my phone during a joyful day at the beach — I had a book, a sandwich, two water bottles, and sunscreen — what more could I need?