Posted on 03/07/2026 6:10:00 PM PST by Jamestown1630
I'm wondering if anyone has experience with 'dumb' flip phones, the kind they suggest for seniors.
My husband recently bought us fancy new 'smart' phones, and it's the first one I've had in ten years. It's huge and much more complicated than anything I've used before.
As I've been figuring it out, I've thought I'd like to supplement it with something smaller, simpler and faster when I'm out-and-about, something that just does phone calls, texts, and maybe has a radio, and fits in my pocket.
We've been looking at Jitterbug, Iris and some others; does anyone have experience with these and can share their opinions?
Thanks!
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I use an appreciate the smart phone for a lot of things; but I don’t need all of that if I just need a way to call someone quickly when I’m out.
Everything has its place and use.
You’ll probably be limited to GSM bands though. I dont think 4G is open yet.
I was speaking to the act of upgrade.
I hate the process and the learning curve before everything’s automatic.
I only use a home phone the old fashioned way. The smart phones were way to invasive for my taste.
Oh! I use a Motorola (Lenovo, Chinese now) flip. It’s a smart device, but I use it with the screen closed. I can open the screen for detailed inputs.
I’ve also bound it to a galaxy watch (Korean made, they hate China) to avoid the format completely. Dialing from the watch is easy, and even texting is decent. Paired with a good headset (JBL, now Kardon, China) I’m making calls and moving life without the screen.
I was speaking to the act of upgrade.
I hate the process and the learning curve before everything’s automatic.
Nokia 2780.
Pure Talk.
I had one about 25 years ago. They’re pretty much obsolete now. When I leave the house now I don’t pat my wallet pocket to ensure I have it, I pat my iPhone pocket to make sure I have it. All my bill paying and banking is done with it. I use it for everything. Sometimes I even use it to make a phone call. I can’t imagine being without it.
Not much of a selection anymore, but they are cheap. I pay 10 bucks a month for my Android service with this company.
https://www.tracfone.com/phone/blu-flex-prepaid
In what way did you find them ‘invasive’?
I’ve never used a smart phone for any business, and never will.
We had TracFone for many years; but their website has become ridiculous to navigate, so we ditched them.
It’s the only type I use.
Calls, texts and a radio? - That escalated quickly! For a radio you need the Internet access, so a smartphone is the only practical option.
My iPhone 16 fits in my pocket just fine. How are you getting digital deals at the grocery store without a smart phone? That's what I use mine for when out shopping. At the doctor's office or dentist's office I set up my next appointment in the calendar with alerts set up for the day before and an hour before my next appointment. If I get a check, I do a remote photo deposit rather than going to the bank. When I get a credit card bill from the one company that doesn't offer autopay I immediately setup a payment for five days before the bill is due. That way I don't forget about it and get a late charge. A smart phone has so many useful purposes it's impossible to list them all here.
I had a Samsung that was really tight for my pockets, I lost it. When I got another phone I got an iPhone and got pretty the smallest and cheapest one that they had at the time and that was an iPhone SE 2nd generation and it fits into my back pocket and front pocket pretty nice, doesn’t fell like I got it jambed or stuffed into my pocket.
I am probably more private than most people. Some call me a hermit, others a recluse.
The modem modules I use have both 4G and 5G access. What do you think manufacturers use in their cell phones? There are only about three or four makers of the radios.
I don't allow my phone to conduct money transactions.
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