dumb phone

plural dumb phones

1. alternativeAlternative form of dumbphone.

   I hope dumb phones will deliver us all from constant notifications, but it also seems possible that they will become markers of class and status.

   2025 December 31, Callie Holtermann, “10 Predictions for Life in 2026”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 23 Jan 2026

   2 more examples

   So if the handset is only for calls and texts for arranging pickups and emergency phone calls, then a basic “dumb” phone could be the answer. […] The downside is that many dumb phones still have limited internet access, and only a handful have basic parental controls for locking down the camera, the browser and picture messaging (MMS).

   2024 August 30, Samuel Gibbs, “From dumb phones to hand-me-downs: the ultimate guide to buying phones for kids”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 30 Aug 2024

   Students will still be able to access their smartphones between classes or at lunch. During instructional time, they could be allowed to carry “dumb phones,” which can send texts or make calls but not access TikTok, Snapchat or other potential distractions.

   2026 February 17, Jordyn Hermani, “Michigan bans cellphones in school as more states move to end classroom distractions”, in Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Calif.: Los Angeles Times Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 17 Feb 2026