Smartphone to "dumb" phone

[Catrin]

I am considering downgrading my Android to a "dumb" phone with a good camera and slide-out keyboard for messaging when the time comes. I don't know that I will actually DO this, but am seriously considering it. I spend too much of my life attached to assorted electronic devices, and this would be one way to start to draw back a bit. It would also cut my phone bill

Has anyone here made this move? Did you regret it? I MIGHT try dropping my data plan for one month to see what that is like before I take final action - assuming that AT&T will allow me to do so since I've an Android. I know you don't have that option with an iPhone.

[SheFly]

I still haven't upgraded from my dumb phone, and I don't feel the need. Much of my life is spent in front of the computer, and adding another device just doesn't inspire me. I WOULD like the ability to upload a quick status to FB, but I can actually do that with my phone if I REALLY want to (it's just really cumbersome). DH and I text throughout the day, but other than that, no need to be smart with my phone .

SheFly

p.s.
I also don't ever have the need to be checking my phone when out with friends... Just sayin'

[Catrin]

Thanks SheFly - that is exactly what I am thinking...

[lph]

Like SheFly I've never upgraded from a dumb phone, but I have used a smart phone enough to know a little of what I'm missing. I have a basic, compact waterproof and shockproof phone, without a keyboard. I don't miss the keyboard, I message faster than I think anyway ;-). I'd prefer having a better camera, and sometimes I miss a better and larger screen. However, I really like having a small and bombproof phone without a large glass screen to break.

I haven't bought a smart phone because I know I'm too addicted to the net as it is, and would find it hard to not check email and facebook and TE all the time. I enjoy the downtime. But on longer vacations it's very handy having my dh's smart phone around, to check the news, the weather, email every now and then. But texting on it drives me up the wall.

I know I'm missing it out on various apps, though, so I may switch at some point anyway.

On another note - any tips on how to stay OFF the net... ;-)

[SheFly]

On another note - any tips on how to stay OFF the net... ;-)

Don't turn on the computer

SheFly

[shootingstar]

What is a dumb phone? Yup, I'm a klutz.

I pay a combined land line phone and unlimited, high speed Internet access for average approx. $72.00CAN/month. It includes up to 300 free minutes of long distance phone calls across North America per month. I don't have a TV and don't want one right now.

[lph]

A smart phone is an advanced mobile phone with an operating system that enables it to pretty much be a small computer, usually with a large touchscreen. A "dumb phone" isn't. :-)

[lph]

Don't turn on the computer

SheFly

Har-de-har.

Actually that's proving easier and easier, as we now have a combined tv and computer room at home, and unless told not to my son is holed up in there playing Skyrim. So being on the computer involves either a discussion or trying to surf with large, angry warriors killing each other 3 inches to the right of my field of vision.

[Swan]

It might just be my age showing, but I tried to downgrade and failed. I very rarely use our home computer, which runs on dial up. My phone's internet is faster than our computer's! I don't have an iPod or anything fancy like that either (though I do have an iPad that I never use and need to get rid of), so I used my phone for literally everything -- GPS, music, e-reader, camera and video, internet, texting, calling, e-mailing, Skyping, news, TV shows, weather alerts, note-taking, you name it...

But even though I use it for everything, I'm not always using it. I can put my phone away and socialize without it, and get through anything I need to (class, work, etc) without bothering about it.

Anyway, I cut it off and went back to an old pre-paid Nokia cellphone about a year ago, and by the end of the fifth month I was wild-eyed and pulling my hair out, haha. I was so reliant on my smartphone! It did everything! So I got rid of TV cable and dial-up internet, and brought back my smartphone. I'm never, ever disconnecting it again, unless something goes horribly wrong and I have to.

[Catrin]

Wow Swan, I can see how that was so hard to adjust to! I don't use my smartphone for near that much. I check email, text, interact with FB and TE - though frankly I prefer to do those last two things on my computer. I am finally getting my u-verse TV reinstalled this weekend - got a very good deal from them that gives me all of the channels I want and I only increased my overall bill with them by $10 - and that is balanced out by dropping Netflix. Can't beat that with a stick

I've found myself reaching for my phone to check my email in the middle of the night when I wake up and can't get back to sleep - I mean, seriously! What is the point of that? I don't HAVE to check my work email from my phone, if I need to do so at home I can remote into my work computer directly from my home computer. The more I think about it, the only real advantage I can see to having a smartphone is a backup if my home computer commits hari-kari... I don't really seem to take full advantage of it as far as all of the different applications and so forth that so many use.

[luvmyguys]

There have been times that it's been really handy to have. And I'm often in a position where I'll be meeting someone (who doesn't text), and I'll tell them to shoot me an e-mail if they're going to be late or won't make it. There have also been times when one of the kids has a basketball game in Timbuktu, and the phone is my GPS (I don't have a non-phone GPS).

That said, I get why the idea of downgrading is appealing. I don't need one more screen to be staring at. It's helped to plug my phone in away from my bed (as in, another room downstairs) - I'm now able to get some form of quiet thoughtful time in before I get up, which has been setting the day off on a better note.

WRT the computer, I'll go on computer fasts throughout the year.

[Catrin]

It seems as if every time I NEED to use my Android for GPS or whatever that I am in an area where I don't have coverage. I still go to my computer and print maps. Verizon has better coverage, but their fees are higher than AT&T, I am just not going to pay those.

I think that more of the modern "regular" messaging cell phones also have email available, though I would need to look into what that would cost in fees. As far as keeping the phone away from the bed - I can't do that. I rise at 3:50 most mornings and for THAT I need multiple alarms

[emily_in_nc]

Like SheFly I've never upgraded from a dumb phone, but I have used a smart phone enough to know a little of what I'm missing. I have a basic, compact waterproof and shockproof phone, without a keyboard. I don't miss the keyboard, I message faster than I think anyway ;-). I'd prefer having a better camera, and sometimes I miss a better and larger screen. However, I really like having a small and bombproof phone without a large glass screen to break.

I haven't bought a smart phone because I know I'm too addicted to the net as it is, and would find it hard to not check email and facebook and TE all the time. I enjoy the downtime. But on longer vacations it's very handy having my dh's smart phone around, to check the news, the weather, email every now and then. But texting on it drives me up the wall.

I know I'm missing it out on various apps, though, so I may switch at some point anyway.

On another note - any tips on how to stay OFF the net... ;-)

lph, I'm like you, no smart phone. However, I did buy a Galaxy Tab 2.0 wi-fi tablet (7") for travel only. I never use it at home as I have my laptop, and I don't feel the need to take it in my pack when I head into town for shopping or whatever. Like many on this thread I am online so much when I'm home, it's nice to have a break, and a smartphone would just be too tempting to be in Facebook, etc all the time. On a trip we're so busy the Tab only gets limited use (mostly first thing in the morning and last thing at night), but it's nice to have instead of a full-size (heavy) laptop on a trip, to look up something quickly, delete all those pesky marketing emails, and be able to reply quickly to anything important.

Might be a nice compromise for you to look at something like that just for traveling as well. It has plenty of apps, including my favorite, the Kindle app, so also allows me to travel without a stack of books. Win!

Editing to add: Also, since it's not a phone, there's no monthly data fee. You pay once, and that's it. That does limit its use to where wi-fi is available, but we used it all over Mexico without issue; wi-fi is obviously more and more prevalent.

[Catrin]

....

Editing to add: Also, since it's not a phone, there's no monthly data fee. You pay once, and that's it. That does limit its use to where wi-fi is available, but we used it all over Mexico without issue; wi-fi is obviously more and more prevalent.

This is interesting, thanks for the comment. I've spoken with AT&T and if I were to "downgrade" and get a messaging phone that has email then I would save an entire $10/month (and of course the difference in the cost of the phone). This is less about money than it is trying to pull back on my internet addiction. There, I said it I think I will turn off the "cellular data" option on my Android for a few weeks and see how I survive it.

I like a couple of the Nook tablets, if I do this I might consider saving up for one of those to cover traveling and computer breakdown times.

[goldfinch]

I am considering downgrading my Android to a "dumb" phone with a good camera and slide-out keyboard for messaging when the time comes. I don't know that I will actually DO this, but am seriously considering it. I spend too much of my life attached to assorted electronic devices, and this would be one way to start to draw back a bit. It would also cut my phone bill

Has anyone here made this move? Did you regret it? I MIGHT try dropping my data plan for one month to see what that is like before I take final action - assuming that AT&T will allow me to do so since I've an Android. I know you don't have that option with an iPhone.

I did this some years ago. Phones were smart but not near as smart as today. I had a Blackberry for work. When I retired I went back to a plain old flip phone. No regrets. I hate getting nickled and dimed to death on phone charges.