DIGITAL LIFE

4 dumbphones that keep it simple but still support WhatsApp

Not everyone needs a smartphone to tell them they are on the correct path or to doomscroll the entire day only to have productivity loss and an adverse impact on mental well-being. The latter is a significantly growing concern in this day and age, and as a result, parents strive to postpone their children’s inevitable entry into the world of smartphones.

Smartphones are powerful than ever. They can do a lot more things than they used to a few years back. However, not everyone needs the bundle of extra features that keep them stick to their devices for the entire day, which is why many people are now shifting to dumbphones. In the last few years, the sale of dumbphones or basic phones has gone up.

While dumbphones allow people commmunicate via SMS, there’s a scarcity of them supporting cross-platform chat apps with group messaging and multi-media support such as WhatsApp. Thankfully, a few good dumbphones can still run WhatsApp while offering a minimalist experience for a digital detox.

1. TTfone TT970...TTfone TT970 is an excellent choice for seniors and those looking for a simplified mobile experience without the complexities of a smartphone. It’s a 4G flip phone with dual screens: the outer one measures 1.8 inches, and the inner one is 2.8 inches. There’s also a large dedicated SOS button on the back that can be configured to contact any phone number in emergencies.

The phone runs the Android operating system, and thus is able to support WhatsApp. Some more preinstalled apps are there, such as Facebook Lite, YouTube, Email, and a web browser, which you may or may not like, but it ticks many boxes for anyone seeking a reliable smartphone alternative.

It has an 8MP camera on the back and a very basic, low-quality selfie camera for video calls. This phone also has a voice notes feature to help users set reminders using their voice. The battery is good enough to last for a few days.

The TT970 costs around $160. You can buy it from the official website or marketplaces such as Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/TTfone-TT970-Whatsapp-Touchscreen-Senior/dp/B09R29PYCL

2. Emporia TOUCHsmart.2...This clamshell-style phone runs Android Go but doesn’t have a Google Play Store or any third-party app store. WhatsApp is preinstalled on this phone, but for those seeking non-Facebook options, Signal and Telegram are also available.

The TOUCHsmart.2 is a compact and lightweight phone for easy portability. While the design resembles an old-style clamshell phone, you don’t always have to use the physical keyboard if you wish to, as the small 3.25-inch screen also supports touch. You can also enable the optional on-screen keyboard when required.

The phone has an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP selfie camera, which are just okay(ish). The battery is also reasonable at 1,400mAh. But these are not the reasons you would buy the Emporia TOUCHsmart.2 for. The most important of all, it has WhatsApp with support for voice and video calls.

In short, the phone delivers on its promise by keeping you connected with minimal distractions. Emporia doesn’t officially ship this device outside of Europe, but there are ways to get it delivered outside that region, and it’ll cost you around $200.

3. Cat S22...The Cat S22 is the strongest flip phone on the list, with MIL-STD-810H durability. It’s also IP68-rated for protection against dust and water. It’s a rugged phone targeting users looking for a durable device for challenging environments while still offering essential smartphone capabilities.

Unlike the two dumbphones mentioned above, this one runs a full version of Android Go with Google Play support. While it opens the door to a world of apps, its tiny 2.8-inch screen might not be ideal for media-heavy apps like TikTok or YouTube. The smaller screen outside shows notifications, time, and the remaining battery.

The Snapdragon 215 chipset, paired with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, provides enough power to keep the apps running smoothly without significant lag. It ships with a 2,000mAh battery that lasts for a few days on normal usage and even more than on the standby mode. The Cat S22 costs around $75 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Cat-S22-Flip-Touchscreen-Resistant/dp/B0BTTQGVVW

4. AGM M7...The last one we have on the list is AGM M7. Unlike others, it’s not a flip phone but runs Android OS under the hood without the Google Play Store. So, you won’t be able to install anything on this device, but the app you need, WhatsApp, comes preinstalled, alongside some more apps such as TikTok, Skype, and Zello.

The AGM M7 is a rugged phone suitable for outdoor adventures or physically demanding jobs. It’s also IP68-rated for protection against water and dust.

This rugged phone costs $120 and is available globally. 

https://www.agmmobile.com/products/us-agm-m7

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