If you see an old serial or movie where people are living without smart phones and on landlines, life appears simple and peaceful. Many of us in our sixties have lived those times. Smart phones and galloping technology took us all by storm. The phone became an intrusive extension of our personalities, and algorithms became the arbiters of many decisions. Today, analogue life is peeping and seeping in from crevices and cracks that are emerging in the digital world. A world now reeling under the impact of AI, was already feeling the burden of digital life.

The incessant, endless scrolling, different apps claiming scarce attention, the invasion of privacy, the sense that your phone is actually snooping and listening in – all these had started putting question marks. It was the right time for products from the analogue age to start knocking again.

The ‘dumb phone’ of basic feature phone as it is called is making a surprise comeback the world over. Especially in digitally fatigued urban areas among Gen Z and millennials. When smart phones took over, the dumb phone did not disappear. In smaller cities, rural areas and in economically weaker areas it continued to be used. It was cheaper, had reliable battery life, was more durable and allowed basic communication through calls and SMS.

In the last few years dumb phones are increasingly in demand in urban areas also. Many reasons are given for this resurgence especially amongst the young. The primary being the need for digital detox, as people seek to reclaim their time and attention. The intentional switch is happening for mental wellbeing and stress reduction from ceaseless connection. Another major concern fuelling the growth of use of dumb phones is data privacy, and the efforts at reducing one’s digital footprint. No app tracks you, and the phone does not listen in.

Along with the dumb phone, in many areas, the now obsolete landline is also making a comeback. Primarily for the same reasons. At a conscious level these changes are an effort to return to real connections, conversations and be in the moment even on a call.

Products and the market are responding to this growing trend. Dumb phones now also have features like WhatsAPP, UPI support and video calling. Many companies are now manufacturing these new minimalist dumb phones. As per reports, already in 2026, more than 220 million Indian switched to dumb phones. The market for dumb phones stood at nearly $2.3 billion in 2024, and has been growing. There is a large range of products to choose from. Many start-ups are also in the fray making dumb phones that suit needs.

Earlier, any resurgence of things analogue was attributed to nostalgia of Gen Z and millennials. However, now whether it is dumb phones, landlines, journal writing or grandma hobbies, the driver is a push back against the pressures of digital life. It is a mindful step towards reclaiming agency, attention and mental peace. The invasion of AI is going to challenge this in myriad ways; we can only wait and watch.

Published in Lokmat Times in May 2026