Flip Phones :O

    Or, maybe they're called "dumbphones" now?

    Either way, I miss flip phones. I've been wanting to switch from my smartphone to a really nice flip phone for a while now. And obviously, there are some downsides that come with it (thanks to convenience in smartphones), but that also makes me kind of more frustrated.

    So I've been browsing the Kyoex site, seeing that flip phones are still being sold in Asian countries at MUCH better quality and design than what I'm seeing offered in the states. Like, look at the difference here:

    The one on the left is from Japan, while the one on the right is offered here. Obviously, there's quite a sizeable group of people that would love to have a flip phone handy, yes? And I know what you're saying, "But Ani, there are smart flip phones out there!"

    I hear you, bro. But this design doesn't spark joy in me honestly.

 

    I'm definitely being picky here, I know, but I'm more of a person that enjoys the touch sensation of pressing a button, hearing it click, and immediately going to the next option you see on the screen. There's a certain charm to flip phones. There was a reason my first phone, in the year 2010, was a flip phone! I didn't really want a smartphone at the time that they came out, as a kid, I really enjoyed the look of flip phones and how they felt to open and close. And I feel like if I hadn't gotten a flip phone, I would've missed out on the phone culture that I grew up in. But yes, after a few years, the smartphone started to look cool and everyone else was getting an iPhone, so I gave in and asked my parents if I could switch to an iPhone.

    And I'm not going to lie, I loved having an iPhone for a while. I switched to a Nokia later, I liked its brightly colored look compared to the dull look of iPhones, but I've switched back and right now, my iPhone model is an iPhone 11. I never really felt pressured to change since every new iPhone coming out felt like it didn't really change all too much aside from a few improved bits and baubles. Oh, and also, the phones were getting bigger. I've been getting annoyed with how much bigger every new iPhone entry has been getting bigger.

    But I'm getting tired of iPhones, and social media especially. So I've been thinking about switching to an iPhone to reduce that time I'm looking and scrolling on my phone. Though, it comes with plenty of downsides. Two-factor authentication might not be an option anymore, I won't be able to listen to music like I usually do, or stuff like passwords not being easily saved and brought back up again with a touch of a button. 

    Obviously, smartphones are a convenience to society. And maybe that's a part of the problem? But I won't act like I'm standing on a soap box, preaching how smartphones are evil, taking over our society.

    I'm just a little frustrated that it has sort of become a "reliance" in modern days. And I'm just wondering if I can reduce my anxiety/depression if I do have a flip phone. It might become a hassle in the end, but it could be beneficial to my mental health if I just break myself away from the need of a smartphone to be able to do everything for me.

    Oh, and also, flip phones are cool as eff. Like, call me old all you like, but phones like these are PEAK design.

    So, yeah, I don't really know what I'm going to do. It seems like grabbing phones from Japan and trying to figure out how to integrate them with a US cell service might be a hassle that I don't want to go through. Though, it might be worth it in the end if it means I can reduce my screen time tenfold. But it also could mean that by then I'll be distracted by all the fun squishy buttons, heh.

    I don't really see Apple, Samsung, LG, what have you, pumping out flip phones like these anytime soon. They're going to sell those "dumbphones" that only have one color and look cheaply made. I don't know, maybe I should give in and just buy one and see where it takes me. If anything, it'll make me feel more professional, honestly. Like, imagine you're out with friends, and you get a call, and you WHIP OUT ONE OF THESE BAD BOYS. And then hanging up by closing the phone with that satisfying SNAP!!

    Man, now I really, REALLY, want a flip phone now... this ramble hasn't helped my desires.

    Anyway, I just wanted to share the crisis I'm going through right now, hah. We'll see if I end up getting a flip phone, it's really tempting to grab one of these Japanese made flip phones - they have the right idea.

    If you also share in this frustration, I shake your hand, cause we're stuck here while they're living the flip phone life over there. 😔