One Year With the World’s Simplest Phone

After a year of owning and using the Punkt MP02 I wanted to talk about the pros and cons of using a dumbphone like this, and whether it's something that you could adopt as your full-time cellphone. Let me know what you think in the comments!

*Yes I know that more basic cellphones have existed, but this is arguably the most basic one available now. Look up John's Phone if you haven't seen it!

Links:

PUNKT MP02

*Disclaimer*
All Amazon links placed in the description section are Amazon Affiliate links, and I receive a small commission on any purchases made through this link. Thanks for your support!

[WeAreBullets]

i love how all our collective consciousness decided that the other phones are obviously called "dumb phones". and it's funny cause "dumb" tech probably just allows us to make ourselves smarter without relying so much on the "smart" tech.

[hanspuelinckx]

I have a tablet to do all of my admin/bank/editing&social stuff but when I leave the house I use a simple Nokia which I bought new for 10€(!) 2 years ago.The reason? It's light, the battery lasts forever but most importantly:Whenever it makes a sound I know that it's either a call or a text:nothing else!Gives my mind so much peace!Nice channel Spencer!Grts!🙏✌

[Punktgroup]

Hi Spencer! We love this review, thank you so much for this and for mentioning our website resources too!

[stevemuzak]

I can't go that far but I delate all my social medias. Best decision ever.

[ABunchOfSpanners]

I did similar to you last year Spencer, I wrote up a high level "feature list" that I needed for my phone (2FA for work, train travel app, whatsapp for older family members) and bought a Cat S22 Flip for £50/$60. It's changed my life, I get everything I need out of my phone without being distracted. It also has Google Maps, which is helpful if I really need directions.

[bsnf-]

Owning no phone in 2024 is hard. The thing with this kind of devices is that you will most likely start using other devices more. Like pc, laptop, TV, videogame console, and so on. Pretty much everything that has internet.
So in the end, it won't make that much of a difference. The time you would be scrolling on your smartphone, will be spent on another device. To truly detach yourself from internet and social media, has to be a decision within yourself. No magicial device will make it happen, it has to be like you mean it and work hard to change your day to day schedule.

[DayoClinckspoor]

Jo Spencer, before I watch this video, I felt how much I appreciate your work lately. I am happy to click your videos. keep up the good work.

[JoseBriones]

Great overview of the features, lifestyle, and how it all works with life :) Good stuff!

[corporatemcmahon]

Nearly hard to switch fully. Many important things are on a daily life on a smartphone. Sadly. I respect the approach. But Maps, bank app, and unfortunately whatsapp is a must.

I don't care about social media. But messaging is key.

I wish I could use that phone to be on peace.

[octavibg]

the punkt works perfectly for me. i dont use whatsapp or other social media very often but even so i used to be many minutes or even hours checking my smartphone. Lets check mail, or lets check my whatsapp or some youtube videos. I now carry my wallet, my phone and my ipod again and i read more, i look more at other people and landscapes instead of facing down to the smartphone and i feel liberated honestly. i could do that with any other dumbphone, i use punkt because i like the design. I got it for 170 euros second hand. Batery lasts for three days with data, wifi and bluetooth disconnected (why do i need those? If I use data tethering i can plug it into the computer or ipad to recharge while tethering data). I now call my mom and friends much often also. I have my smartphone and i use it to authenticate some webpages and banking but i realy use only my dumbphone.

[macjim]

I’ve had two of them and on both occasions, I returned them as I just couldn’t get the personal hotspot to work with my iPad.
I’m now waiting on the light phone 3 as I have it pre-ordered and should have it early next year.
I love the MP02 as it’s a nice design but the software sucks. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[nataliadamascena]

Great video, Spencer! Do you think you’ll ever make the full switch once you find the ideal dumb phone? And is it even possible to find an ideal model? I’d love to do the same one day!

[bravestarr]

I have the Punkt the new grey used it for 3 months but switched to the light phone 2 because it has GPS so I can use it as my daily driver.

[clavius]

I believe some level of constraint is key to reducing distraction. By adding features to a dumbphone, you again adding back reasons to check it, play with it and just generally take up a spot in your conscience. I carry an old Nokia that just does calls (ok, and sms), so that I can connect when really needed, but the intent is to not use or see it. When I go abroad or to a town I don’t know, I pack my smartphone. I feel people focus too much on having one or the other.

[nikko]

I tried the hybrid smart dumb phone duoqin f22 pro. But I still use social media due to relatively big screen

So far the the Unihertz jelly 2e works for me. Smaller or maybe as small as a pager, all the apps are there but I cannot use it for long. Just message, navigation, music and radio.

I just figured out too that our version of dumb phone should work in a life that we are are designing too.❤

[romanista]

I've been considering the light phone for a while. But, it's hard to commit to something that may not work in Canada.
Good to know the Punkt works. I use Signal for everything!

[bosthebozo]

another insightful thought-provoking video Spencer, thank you

[FightLiberty]

I agree with you I believe eventually more people will draw a line and say this is going too far and then try some alternatives, I’m not getting the new Apple headset.

[doctoruttley]

Love my MP02. Calls, text, calculator, address book, basic calendar, hotspot/tether. 👌🏻👌🏻 Never change…just bigger battery. 🔋

[semectual]

A "dumb" phone gives you more control in live like a manual transmission in a vehicle.