The Ideal Phone

Why it doesn't exist and what you can do about it

---

Introduction

I hear this question from many people every week: “Why don’t Apple, Samsung, or Google create a phone with only the essentials and no distractions?” The answer is straightforward. Big companies are no longer interested in merely selling you hardware; they are interested in your data, which they can sell for higher profits.

Until the 2000s, manufacturers focused on people representing their brand through physical products. For example, wearing a branded t-shirt or using a logo-emblazoned device was a way for consumers to showcase their loyalty and share the brand with the world. However, as technology evolved and the internet became ubiquitous (2006-2010), we transitioned from being customers to products sold to advertisers. Google, Microsoft, and Apple successfully attracted companies to their platforms, leveraging the early stages of Android and iOS to secure the capital needed to draw in advertisers, sellers, and other businesses. In contrast, Microsoft’s Windows Phone and RIM’s BlackberryOS failed because they didn't amass a sufficient user base to appeal to advertisers and service providers. During this period, we were the product enhancement technique that helped big technology companies sell their services.

But the story doesn't end there. Between 2012-2014, we ceased to be the product and became the raw material for value extraction. As Shoshana Zuboff states in her book The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, “We are no longer the subjects of value realization. Nor are we, as some have insisted, the ‘product’ of Google’s sales. Instead, we are the objects from which raw materials are extracted and expropriated for Google’s prediction factories. Predictions about our behavior are Google’s products, and they are sold to its actual customers, not to us. We are the means to others’ ends.” In short, the countless hours you spend watching Netflix feed the algorithm, which is Netflix’s actual product. Netflix then turns your data into a strong business case to secure exclusive deals and movies for their real customers. They sell it to you and continue the extraction process. It’s a pretty grim reality, but it is the reality we have.

This brings me to discuss the ideal phone and why its existence doesn’t matter for you to do something about the lack of satisfaction in your life or the constant allure of digital sources of entertainment.

Why the Light Phone 2 is not the ideal phone

In 2019, I switched to the Light Phone 2, hoping it would cure my dependency on smartphones and the digital world. Did it help? Yes, as a basic phone with limited features, it did reduce my screen time. Was it the cure I expected? No. Instead of spending my days running in the park, visiting museums, and chatting at local cafes, I found myself watching Netflix, using email more, and relying on my laptop extensively. My smartphone’s 12-13 hours of constant internet use shifted to 8-10 hours on my laptop. While this 25% reduction in screen time was a step in the right direction, the core issue remained: I was still more drawn to the online world than the physical one, inadvertently participating in isolationist practices amid a loneliness epidemic.

Whether it’s the Light Phone 2 or 3, a restricted smartphone, or a QWERTY device, the phone is only part of the equation. Your lifestyle is the key factor that can tip the balance. A smartphone is less distracting to those who spend their time appreciating the Rocky Mountains or sailing at sea. There is very little connectivity and pings in those locations. Conversely, a dumbphone can become a source of distraction if you actively seek ways to be distracted, such as joining a Discord chat for dumbphone users in a J2ME format. The lifestyle you choose significantly influences how you use your device and the extent of its impact on your life. The more offline habits you seek, the less online you’ll be.

Many people seek to replace their smartphones with simpler devices, and this can be beneficial. As my lifestyle has shifted more offline, the Light Phone 2 has supported this change. Its lack of features has not been a nuisance; instead, I have adapted and learned to navigate the world without digital conveniences. This lifestyle change has made the transition to a simpler device more meaningful and sustainable. I don’t blame the device for its limitations; I accept it as a tool for what I need.

Photo by Fionn Claydon on Unsplash

So. What can you do about it?

In their book "Designing Your Life," Stanford professors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans introduce the concept of "gravity problems"—issues that cannot be solved because they are circumstances beyond our control. This means accepting that the Light Phone doesn’t have WhatsApp, Spotify, or your favorite indispensable app. It also means acknowledging that the perfect phone by your preferred company hasn’t been created and that a magical product of consumerism won’t solve your problems. Instead, you can reframe these circumstances and develop a plan to address your digital dependency. Burnett and Evans outline four principles to fast-track problem-solving: Be curious, Have a bias toward action, The ability to reframe, and Prototyping. Essentially, while the ideal phone doesn’t exist, you can still make meaningful changes within your current circumstances.

In 2019, I recognized that smartphones were detrimental to my well-being. Rather than redefining my relationship with them, I opted for a clean break and started prototyping a new life with the Light Phone 2. I investigated features on different devices (curiosity) before selecting the product that I’d try out (taking action). The transition was frustrating—I had to buy a GPS, lacked email access at my new job, and had to plan every month instead of relying on the all-powerful iPhone for spontaneous planning. Despite these challenges, the benefits of this change kept me committed. I got to explore my local venues more often and talked with friends during walks (reframing). Over time, I got to learn healthier approaches to smart technologies and their impact on my personal life.

While I avoid using a smart device for personal matters, I use a Jelly Star for work. It’s functional for basic tasks but frustrating for anything beyond that—watching videos on its tiny 3-inch screen is far from satisfying. This setup works for me, but it might not be your choice. You may need a clean break from your smartphone and opt for a dumbphone or a simple tweak to your current device's interface. Find what suits you best and stick with it for a while (2 months at least). Afterward, evaluate its impact—keep what’s good and discard the rest.

Whatever your choice, exploring different alternatives can lead to a more fulfilling life. Once you’ve satisfied your curiosity, experiment with various methods for digital minimalism. Perhaps use a dumbphone on weekends and a smartphone for work during weekdays, or limit smart device usage to evenings only. You have the power to design the lifestyle you want. Choose wisely and focus on what you can do, not on what companies can do for you.

Photo by Nicholas Green on Unsplash

Conclusion

There is no perfect device for everyone. We all have different needs and preferences. Some of you need WhatsApp, while others require transit apps or 2FA on their phones. You may work in Information Technology, while I work with non-profits. We have different needs and conveniences. What is essential is to find what works best for you and your family. Evaluate, be curious, and never settle for a life that drains your energy. Whether it's a locked-down smartphone or a dumbphone, embrace your choice and make it work for you. Own your path and find what suits you best.

See you next time :)