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 have a Kyocera. I only carry a flip phone. NO Smartphones.
So why? Tell us more for your reasoning...
I know how to answer it and make calls, send texts, use the Web, etc. I’ve had a smart phone before.
It just has features that make using it more complicated than I want in certain situations.
Put the Phone Call, Text and Radio buttons on the speed bar at the bottom. Then it’s flip phone you want with other stuff when you get there.
I’ve never used a cell phone for any kind of business. I don’t shop or bank or do anything on it except place calls, send texts, listen to podcasts.
“Major carriers still offer basic flip phones.They often have better coverage than “smart” phones,”
SMART phones may have access to more frequencies than basic phones.
Lots of places sell them and service for them now. Even some of the young folks have reverted to using them.
“I hate new phones and new computers.
Hate ‘em.”
Why?
I “window shop” on mine, but never place an order on it.
“Not interested in wasting money on a smart phone.”
My smart phone saves me time and money!
“but never place an order on it.”
Why not?
Yes, that’s what we’ve found in our research. I use ‘dumb’ simply because that’s what people call them to distinguish from the fancy cell phones. They have cameras, search the web, and we found one that uses Alexa.
The people calling and texting while driving really anger me. I don’t understand how people become so addicted to the device that they just can’t wait until they park.
When cell phones first came into general use, it was weird to be in a store or on the street and hear people apparently talking to themselves...
smartphones aren’t really phones ... they are computers that have a phone app and sim card installed on them. They can also have numerous apps of many other types on them.
“I’ve never used a cell phone for any kind of business. I don’t shop or bank or do anything on it except place calls, send texts, listen to podcasts.”
It took about 30 seconds on my phone to pay a bill that came in the mail yesterday.
Thanks for the review.
I do all of that on the computer.
“they are computers that have a phone app and sim card installed on them. “
My phone has two eSims. No card needed.
I remember a few years ago they were selling phone cases that made your phone look like the Warehouse 13 ‘Farnsworth’.
Which one do you have?
Newer flip phones are built to access 4G, LTE, and 5G so it's accessing the same frequencies.
The antenna in a flip phone is installed in the ear half, which allows manufacturers to use an optimally sized one and its location makes it less susceptible to interference from the device itself. Even when the phone is closed, the antenna has full facing versus being buried within a smart phone.
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