Federica Laricchia
Research expert covering the global consumer technology industry
Get in touch with us nowAre feature phones making a comeback?
While the global feature phone market size has gradually decreased over the years due to the prevalence of smart phones, feature phones from companies such as Nokia, Samsung, and Motorola, as well as operating systems such as KaiOS, which support lighter versions of apps like WhatsApp, are making a comeback among consumers. Indeed, in a 2023 global survey, up to one-third of respondents stated that they would like to older phone models back on the market, from sliding phones to non-touchscreen phones.Why are so many young people turning to dumb phones?
Gen Z consumers have been showing nostalgia for the 2000s and a shift in preferences for what is vintage, from clothing to electronic devices, such as cameras and smartphones. The trend is popular all around the world and especially in the United States, where smartphone users are trying to limit screen time and the number of phone notifications, which may cause a number of negative effects, such as sleep deprivation, anti-social behavior, and even depression. However, while more basic feature phones are attracting consumers, whether because of the current vintage trend or the need to take a break from more sophisticated technology, dumb phones are not set to replace smartphones, of which new and advanced models will continue to be released in the future.
