📟 Dumbphones
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Apr 8, 2024
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7 min read
Recently, a lot of people are switching to dumb phones because it takes them away from the distractions of smartphones. Dumb phones allow you to focus on what really matters without the distractions of social media and mobile games. However, despite not wanting the distractions, there's always the desire to connect to loved ones and friends on WhatsApp.
That's why you will need a dumb phone that supports WhatsApp. Dumb phones with WhatsApp allows you to enjoy the benefits of staying in touch while avoiding the overwhelming features of smartphones. Read this article to see our top 10 recommended dumb phones that support WhatsApp.
Top 10 Dumb Phones with WhatsApp
If you're looking to buy a dumb phone with support for WhatsApp, it can be hard knowing which one to go for and which one suits your needs. Let's run down a list of the dumb phones you might want to get.
1️⃣ CAT S22 Flip: Best Durable Dumb Phone ($80)
The CAT S22 Flip is a tough and simple phone that supports WhatsApp, making it a great choice for those who want a reliable device. With physical buttons and a large touch screen, you can interact with it easily.
📷 BackMarket
The CAT S22 Flip's 'Snap it to End it' feature ensures calls end when the phone is closed. It runs on Android 11 (Go Edition) and has the Play Store, combining traditional cellphone design with smartphone features. The CAT S22 Flip is rugged with IP68 and MIL-SPEC 810H ratings, allowing it to withstand drops, water, and harsh chemicals. The phone supports WhatsApp and you can easily install and use the app on the phone.
2️⃣ Nokia 2780 Flip: Best Classic Dumb Phone ($85)
The Nokia 2780 Flip is a simple flip phone that supports WhatsApp, making it a good choice for those who want basic communication with WhatsApp features. It has a traditional flip phone design with two displays, a 5MP camera, Wi-Fi, and expandable storage.
📷 Nokia
The phone runs on KaiOS 3.1, offering smartphone-like features such as a contact manager, camera, music player, and internet browser. While it may not have the power of a smartphone, it provides essential functions and access to WhatsApp for messaging and calls. The Nokia 2780 supports WhatsApp App for messaging but does not support WhatsApp Web for desktop use. You can install the WhatsApp App from the KaiOS app store and communicate with your friends and family.
3️⃣ Unihertz Jelly 2: Best pocket format ($190)
Unihertz Jelly 2 excels at delivering a full Android experience in an incredibly small package. It is an excellent dumbphone choice for users who want some smart features (like Whatsapp) in a device that can fit in any pocket. Its tiny 3-inch touchscreen display offers a unique and portable alternative to larger smartphones.
📷 Amazon
Despite its small size, the Jelly 2 is a fully-featured Android phone with 4G connectivity, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It runs WhatsApp flawlessly, allowing users to stay connected with friends and family through messages, voice calls, and video chats.
The phone's compact design doesn't compromise on functionality, featuring a 16MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera for capturing moments on the go. With its long battery life and full app compatibility, the Jelly 2 proves that good things come in small packages.
4️⃣ Nokia 6300: Best in Functionality ($70)
The Nokia 6300 4G is a simple yet functional phone suitable for modern use, featuring 4G support, WiFi, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Google Assistant for voice commands. Despite its nostalgic design resembling old Nokia models, it offers smartphone capabilities through KaiOS, allowing access to apps like WhatsApp and Facebook.
📷 Hmd.com
The Nokia 6300 4G supports WhatsApp App for messaging but does not support WhatsApp Web for desktop use. With its compact screen, basic camera, dual SIM support, and long-lasting battery, it is ideal for those seeking a reliable and straightforward device for everyday use, festivals, emergencies, or as a beginner's phone.
5️⃣ Palm Phone PGV100 Jelly 2: Best ultra-compact ($220)
Palm Phone PVG100 offers an ultra-compact smartphone experience, perfect for users seeking a dumbphone or a secondary phone. Its tiny 3.3-inch display and credit card-sized form factor make it an ideal companion for active lifestyles or as a discrete communication tool. This PalmPhone PGV100 is 0.3-inch bigger than the Unihertz Jelly 2.
📷 Amazon
Despite its small size, the Palm Phone runs a full version of Android 8, allowing access to all popular apps, including WhatsApp. Users can enjoy seamless messaging and calls on WhatsApp, leveraging the phone's 4G LTE connectivity. But its small size won't let you waste time scrolling!
With 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, it handles basic tasks efficiently. The Palm Phone's unique Life Mode feature helps users minimize distractions, making it a perfect choice for those looking to maintain a balance between staying connected and digital well-being.
6️⃣ Unihertz Titan Pocket: Best for Physical Keyboard ($280)
The Unihertz Titan Pocket provides a compact smartphone experience with a full physical QWERTY keyboard, making it ideal for users who miss the classic BlackBerry-style devices. Its rugged design and Android 11 offer a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern functionality.
📷 Amazon
The Titan Pocket features a 3.1-inch touchscreen display, 4G connectivity, and a powerful 4000mAh battery for extended use. With 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, it offers smooth performance for everyday tasks.
The phone fully supports WhatsApp, allowing users to enjoy messaging, voice calls, and video calls with ease. Its unique form factor makes it a standout choice for those who prioritize efficient typing and communication in a pocketable device.
7️⃣ Doro 7030: Best Budget User friendly Phone ($110)
The Doro 7030 is a classic clamshell phone with a compact design reminiscent of the 2005 Motorola Pebl, making it easy to carry and use. It features a 2.8-inch screen, 4G connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, along with basic WhatsApp and Facebook apps pre-installed for communication.
📷 Boulanger
The phone's large tactile buttons, simple interface with labeled icons for easy navigation, and loud earpiece make it user-friendly and accessible, especially for the visually impaired. The Doro 7030 runs on KaiOS, offering a straightforward experience despite its modest quad-core chipset and limited RAM. While it lacks an app store, the inclusion of essential apps like WhatsApp and Facebook ensures basic communication needs are met without complexity.
8️⃣ Doro 7080: Best in Communication ($150)
Doro 7080 excels in offering enhanced features like emergency assistance and an intuitive interface, making it a top choice for users in need of a reliable communication device. Its design and operating system are tailored to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience, catering to individuals who prioritize safety and ease of use in their mobile devices.
📷 Doro
The Doro 7080 is a stylish dumb phone that supports WhatsApp and Facebook over WiFi and 4G LTE networks, featuring a large 2.8” screen and easy-to-use keys for simple navigation. With a 5MP camera for photos and videos, Dual SIM capability, and an intuitive interface called EVA, the Doro 7080 focuses on making communication effortless and user-friendly.
While it offers basic features like calling and messaging, its support for WhatsApp enhances connectivity for users seeking a straightforward mobile experience. The Doro 7080 supports WhatsApp App for messaging but does not support WhatsApp Web for desktop use.
9️⃣ Xiaomi Qin F21 Pro: Best at Affordable Functionality ($130)
Xiaomi Qin F21 Pro excels in offering a balance of affordability and functionality, making it an ideal choice for users who seek a budget-friendly option with WhatsApp compatibility.
📷 Alibaba
The Xiaomi Qin F21 Pro is a smartphone designed in a classic button style, featuring a 2.8-inch touch screen with a T9 keypad system, priced at $93. It runs on a MediaTek Helio A22 quad-core CPU, with options for 3/4GB RAM and 32/64GB ROM, offering decent performance.
The phone includes a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera for basic photography needs. With a 2,120mAh battery and USB Type-C charging, it provides essential features for everyday use. The Xiaomi F21pro supports WhatsApp App for messaging. You can download the WhatsApp app from its preloaded app store.
🔟 Emporia TOUCHSmart: Best in Accessibility ($190)
Emporia TOUCHSmart excels at providing accessibility and ease of use, making it a great choice for seniors and tech-savvy individuals who value simplicity in their mobile devices. Its design and operating system are tailored to offer a straightforward experience, ensuring that users can navigate the phone with ease.
📷 Emporia Mobile
The Emporia SMARTtouch is a simple clamshell phone with a touchscreen, combining a physical keypad with easy access to features like phone book, texting, and a 5MP camera. It comes with WhatsApp preinstalled and a dedicated shortcut button for quick messaging. The phone also features an external screen for call and message alerts, unlocked for any network. With its touch display, large text, emergency call function, and hearing aid compatibility, the Emporia SmartTouch offers convenience and ease of use for communication needs.
How to Turn Your iPhone into a Dumb Phone
Did you know that you can also turn your iPhone into a “dumb phone”? Yes, you can with the help of the Jomo app, an app designed to help you manage your screen time and improve focus and productivity. Here’s how to turn your iPhone into a “Dumb Phone” (with WhatsApp!) in a few steps:
1️⃣ Download Jomo.
2️⃣ Go to Rules > Sessions > Add Template.
3️⃣ Choose a nice title and emoji.
4️⃣ In the “Blocked Content” section, select “All except…” and exclude WhatsApp — this selection means the session will block all apps and websites on your phone except WhatsApp. Of course, you can add more “essential” apps depending on your specific needs.
5️⃣ If you still want to go back to full smartphone mode, you can enable the “Breaks” option and configure it to your liking (e.g., authorizing 2 breaks per day).
6️⃣ In the “Timing” section, select “Scheduled" > “All day,” and choose all recurring days. With this, the blocking session will apply at all times.
7️⃣ Tap “Create Template.”
8️⃣ Once your template is created, tap on it and press “Schedule.”
9️⃣ Congrats! You just turned your iPhone into a Dumb Phone. Next up, remove all apps except essential ones from your home screen, find a minimalist wallpaper, and you will be all set!
If you're interested we also have a pre-made template called "Brick Phone".
Dumb phones are amazing. They've evolved from being seen as phones meant for the elderly to phones even the Gen Z generation can use. They are simple to use and can help you stay connected to your friends and family without the distractions of social media. There are many dumb phones in the market but we have made a list of 10 dumb phones that you can use that still supports WhatsApp.
