Why 2025 Might Be the Year of the Dumbphone

Technology was meant to make life easier. But somewhere along the way, it became another source of stress. For years, smartphones have dominated our daily lives, stuffing our pockets with endless apps, alerts, and distractions. However, it looks like, perhaps, 2025 is shaping up to be the year when more people say, "Enough."

The rise of the so-called "dumbphone" (they are not dumb- they are a brilliant idea when you want to disconnect) isn't about nostalgia or rejecting technology altogether. It's more about reclaiming peace of mind. 

With a wave of thoughtfully designed minimalist phones hitting the market, this year marks a quiet rebellion against digital overload.

A Surge of New Minimalist Devices

What's driving this shift? A major reason is the launch of several standout minimalist phones in quick succession:

• Light Phone 3: With its sleeker design, OMLED screen, and expanded functionality, this new iteration stirred major excitement while still refusing to include addictive apps or a web browser. 

• Minimal Phone: A new contender, more of a ‘new kid on the block,’ from the Minimal Company, featuring an e-ink screen, physical QWERTY keyboard and full Android OS, certified by Google, bridging the gap between utility and restraint.

• Mudita Kompakt: The unique, privacy-focused, de-Googled phone from an awesome Polish company (we’re really humble), equipped with a genuine E Ink, touchscreen display, essential tools, and a signature Offline+ switch that cuts off all wireless signals for complete digital disconnection. Basically a software & hardware cutoff, for maximum security. 

It's not just that these devices exist, it's also significant that all these minimalist phones appeared around the same time. That type of launch clustering hints at something bigger than just a trend. 

At Mudita, we believe that this suggests a significant shift in what it means to stay connected. We’d like to say it’s a movement, but only time will tell. 

Cultural Shifts Fueling the Dumbphone Revival

The momentum behind this minimalist phone wave didn’t appear out of nowhere. People are growing increasingly tired of living in a constant state of distraction.

• Digital fatigue is real: According to a study by research firm Dscout, the  average individual interacts with their phone more than 2,600 times a day. Over time, those taps, clicks, and swipes add up to more than 70 full days a year spent staring at screens. This steady stream of input fragments our focus, heightens comparison, and overwhelms the nervous system. Many are now questioning whether the trade-off in mental health, focus, and genuine connection is worth it.

• Privacy concerns are mounting: Digital devices collect increasing amounts of personal data through location tracking, cookies, and background app activity, resulting in eroding public trust. People are growing more uneasy about who has access to their information and how it might be used, whether for targeted ads, surveillance, or worse.

• Mindful tech use is on the rise: Movements promoting digital minimalism, screen-free time, and intentional device use are gaining ground, especially among Millennials and Gen Z.

READ: The Allure of Analog: The Rise of Mindful Tech Use

The demand is clear: people want tools, not temptations. 

The New Dumbphone: Minimal, Not Primitive

If you spend any time on the internet, or browse the r/dumbphones subreddit, you’d think a dumbphone is just a relic of the past. Maybe a Nokia 3310 comes to mind. However, that’s not always the case. These days, it’s best to think of the dumbphone more as a stripped-down version of your iPhone or Android device: no distracting apps, no internet browsing, no social media. Just the essentials. 

The new generation of dumbphones is designed to be simple and functional, with a focus on practical tools, rather than bells and whistles.They’re carefully curated devices that give you just enough to stay connected, informed, and in control.

READ: Is Mudita Kompakt a Dumbphone?

Take the Mudita Kompakt, for example. It includes practical tools like offline maps, notes, music, alarm, and even a meditation timer. However, it avoids the slippery slope of infinite scrolling, algorithmic feeds, and constant notifications. It also features a peaceful user experience, thanks to its genuine E Ink screen, minimalist UI, and privacy-focused features.

At Mudita, we believe mindful tech use isn’t about going off the grid entirely. It’s about choosing when and how to engage with technology, and when to let it go. Being mindful & intentional with our choices. 

Where We Go From Here

Will 2025 be the tipping point that turns dumbphones into a mainstream category? Maybe not overnight. However, there’s no denying it- the seeds have already been planted. Even the celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon. 

READ: The Dumbphone Spotlight: Celebrities Drop Smartphones

The way we see it, as more people adopt these minimalist devices as primary or secondary devices, the idea of intentional tech use is entering the conversation in a bigger way. 

In fact, Google Trends data shows that searches for the term ​“dumbphone” or “dumbphone” have steadily increased since 2020. 

Additionally, dumbphone sales are also on the rise. 

Smartphone makers may be forced to take note, either by offering more robust digital well-being features or by simplifying their devices.

And if nothing else, the rise of the dumbphone in 2025 sends a powerful message: maybe we don’t need more tech in our lives. Maybe we need better boundaries.

A Quiet Revolution in Your Pocket

Whether you call them dumbphones, minimalist phones, or distraction-free devices, one thing is clear: the momentum is real.

2025 might just be the year we stop asking, "What more can my phone do?" and start asking, "What can my phone help me ignore?"

And that, in itself, feels like progress.