Is Generation Z really turning its back on smartphones?
Generation Z – people born between 1995 and 2010 – is increasingly becoming the focus of research. However, some of the findings are surprising: although it is believed that this is the “mobile generation”, at least part of the generation has had enough of constant accessibility and social media. Some of its members are turning their backs on smartphones, at least to some extent. The alternative? Simple push-button cell phones, also known as dumbphones.
What is a dumbphone?
A dumbphone is a simple push-button cell phone without access to the Internet or the ability to install apps. The “dumb phones” are the antithesis of the increasingly sophisticated smartphones. If you are wondering which “dumb phone” could be an alternative to the smartphone, here is a small selection:
- The Nokia 3210: Nokia has reissued its classic from the 1990s. Even the legendary mobile game Snake is still on board.
- Punkt MP 02: The Punkt MP 02 is a designer dumphone from Switzerland. It comes from the company Punkt and is already the second dumbphone from the designers.
- Light Phone 2: The Light Phone is a minimalist phone. The display is an e-ink display, as we know it from an e-book reader.
Retailers report that they have already sold more of these so-called dumbphones in the first half of 2024 than in the whole of 2023. These simple phones can be used to make calls and send text messages – but that’s about it. Of course, you also lose a lot of convenience. But the feeling of being dependent on a device is gone. And that can be liberating for many people.
5.6 hours online – every day
Generation Z is the first generation to really grow up digitally. They are often referred to as digital natives. From an early age, its members were surrounded by modern technology. But this now seems to be turning into the opposite, at least for some of its members.
How Generation Z uses the internet has been pretty well researched. The Institute for Communication Science and Media Research at the University of Zurich (UZH) is studying this. As part of the “World Internet Project – Switzerland”, the average Internet usage was examined. The result: young people between the ages of 15 and 30 spend an impressive 5.6 hours a day on the Internet. So it stands to reason that more and more people have a growing desire for real human interaction.
Dumbphones as a new trend on the telecommunications market
For a long time, the growth of smartphones continued unabated. The release of new devices and technologies has been eagerly awaited. And still, when a new iPhone is published, there are still long queues in front of the stores – as seen with the iPhone 16 in autumn 2024.
However, this trend seems to be slowing down somewhat. This is because more and more young people feel overwhelmed by constant accessibility and social networks and are turning back to simple push-button cell phones. For members of Gen Z, this may be a form of self-protection to avoid losing themselves in the digital world.
The majority will stick with smartphones
According to experts, however, the trend towards dumbphones will only remain a niche phenomenon. This is because the overall increase in convenience offered by smartphones is simply too great. Whether it’s navigation, mobile payment or finding a restaurant – the smartphone is the digital assistant for all situations in life. If you want to use your smartphone as efficent as possible check out our list of “Must have apps”.
And with affordable mobile subscriptions, unlimited data tariffs are now affordable for everyone. A comparison on alao.ch is still worthwhile to find the best offer – whether for the latest smartphone or a simple dumbphone.
