Dumping Smartphone

[Randy Winkman]

Anyone given up on Smartphones? I've had one for 3 years and get practically zero use from it other than things I could do on a regular mobile phone. When I got it I thought I might check train times, football results and weather forecasts but I never do. Twice I've looked at a tube map and that's about it. So I'm about to change back to a regular phone cos it'll fit in my jeans pocket easily and the battery will last ages. Anyone else done this or am I the only one? Perhaps I'm the only one here since this is the gadgets bit of the forum.

[otherman]

I held on to a regular phone for a long time after other people were going smart, for the same reasons you mention. But now I have one I use it for a few other things, and I'm staying with it.

[alorotom]

I was a really early adopter of the smartphone having XDAs and palms and then picking up an iPhone months before they were released in the UK. Currently using an iPhone SE after getting rid of a 6+ for it being too large and more recently a BLU Life Max as android and me aren't particularly compatible lol

I am at a tipping point now though as I have a second iPhone for work and normally have an iPad with me too at the very least so am simply waiting on the new Nokia 3310 to be released next month (I understand) and then switching to that and see how I get on!

[bitchstewie]

I'm sure people have done it, but I've been in far more situations where having a smartphone has been a benefit than not having one, unless you count battery life which is probably the biggest difference between a smart and dumb phone.

Personally I wouldn't revert.

[Hoofy]

If you don't use the features of a smartphone, then why not. I find it useful for checking email when out of the office (means I can spend longer in the tennis club ) but I don't walk along the road with my face in my phone.

[Randy Winkman]

Thanks all. After making my post I did wonder if there was any point asking in this forum but I'm glad to see that people appreciate my issue. I might get a 3310 on pay-as-you-go for a bit to see what happens. It will be a bit of fun to have a 3310 again anyway.

[hairyben]

Use mine constantly. Download wiring diagrams and product information on site, take photos for reference, can order materials, check banking and receive emails concerning info I need right there and then. Check live traffic levels, set a timer for the parking meter to dodge the seig heil brigade, and loads more, the torch, the calculator etc etc. Got a tablet too now which i take to work that does a lot but still use both lots.

If you're not using it though then not much point I guess.

[jas xjr]

i use mine quite a lot , music ,navigation , mobile internet and god knows what else. but there have been occasions when i have been away from the car and i have not had a battery pack with me and all i have wanted to do was make a call. and could not do so due to bluetooth and internet access running my battery down.
i was recently in hospital , in a room on my own. 50 miles away from home. my smartphone kept me in touch with friends and family, with those that could not visit. so they do have their uses. although i do not check it every 5 minutes
i also spend a lot of time in various clinics and waiting rooms for appointments and having books to read certainly help kill the time.
i really am addicted to my phone but not to the extent that i look at it whilst walking or driving.
if you feel that you can manage without one , it should not be a problem for anybody else.

[V8covin]

Randy Winkman said:

Thanks all. After making my post I did wonder if there was any point asking in this forum but I'm glad to see that people appreciate my issue. I might get a 3310 on pay-as-you-go for a bit to see what happens. It will be a bit of fun to have a 3310 again anyway.

I don't really see what fun can be had from a device with so few features.
Embrace progress,don't fight it.

[Old Tyke]

Randy Winkman said:

Anyone given up on Smartphones? I've had one for 3 years and get practically zero use from it other than things I could do on a regular mobile phone. When I got it I thought I might check train times, football results and weather forecasts but I never do. Twice I've looked at a tube map and that's about it. So I'm about to change back to a regular phone cos it'll fit in my jeans pocket easily and the battery will last ages. Anyone else done this or am I the only one? Perhaps I'm the only one here since this is the gadgets bit of the forum.

My first smart phone was an S3 after coming from a Nokia 6300i. As a driver for a living, being able to pull up google street view and google maps traffic on the S3 was great but I can count on one hand the amount of times I've actually used it since I've had a smart phone. The size of the phone quickly got annoying as it fills your entire pocket. I only use my phone for calls, texts and the very occasional street view as mentioned so it was stupid carting something that size around all the time. I have a high end separate audio player for my music as music sounds st on phones and whenever I'm at home I'm usually sat on the internet so no need to use the phone for that either, plus trying to browse the internet on a small phone screen and type anything on the stupid touch screen is something that was created by Satan himself. I've since "upgraded" the S3 to an S4 Mini which is much more pocket friendly and serves my needs but to be honest I could manage quite happily with a 3310 again no problem.

You're unlikely to get much love for your choice as anyone under 30 will look at you like you've got 2 heads if you're not wielding a smart phone of some description.

[AJB88]

I've often thought about going back but I'm on of these people who uses 99% of my smartphone features.

[Old Tyke]

V8covin said:

Randy Winkman said:

Thanks all. After making my post I did wonder if there was any point asking in this forum but I'm glad to see that people appreciate my issue. I might get a 3310 on pay-as-you-go for a bit to see what happens. It will be a bit of fun to have a 3310 again anyway.

I don't really see what fun can be had from a device with so few features.
Embrace progress,don't fight it.

He probably means" fun" as in being able to make and receive calls and texts without needing to go through 300 different menus and being able to hack out a text message by feel without even looking at the screen.

[V8covin]

Old Tyke said:

He probably means" fun" as in being able to make and receive calls and texts without needing to go through 300 different menus and being able to hack out a text message by feel without even looking at the screen.

What rubbish.Touch the phone icon and that takes me straight to recent or favourite contacts and 1 touch later I'm making a phone call.Same with texts.
Plus the screen is bigger so I can see my contacts easier.

Making calls and sending texts is the least use my phone gets and I'd guess that's the same for most people who embrace the technology.
I was a denier until 2013,I'd never go back to a dumphone now

[Randy Winkman]

V8covin said:

Randy Winkman said:

Thanks all. After making my post I did wonder if there was any point asking in this forum but I'm glad to see that people appreciate my issue. I might get a 3310 on pay-as-you-go for a bit to see what happens. It will be a bit of fun to have a 3310 again anyway.

I don't really see what fun can be had from a device with so few features.
Embrace progress,don't fight it.

I admit that the "fun" element doesn't amount to much. But most of us like a few things that remind us of the old days. I can use the internet when I'm at home and at work. I never really need it when I'm elsewhere. When I'm in the car I use a map (I like maps). I specifically don't want to see emails or Facebook posts when I'm outside as for me, none of them amounts to anything. I've never had a personal stereo because I like hearing what's actually going on around me. etc etc

[POORCARDEALER]

Mines like a mobile office, would hate to be without it

[poing]

I keep thinking about it because I have my personal phone and my work phone.

The work phone needs all the toys but I don't use many of the apps on the personal phone.

I'd need:
Calls and texts
Whatsapp
Camera
Spotify
Bluetooth
Sat Nav

Sadly that means it's a few apps too many for a basic phone and I suspect I use more than those without realising. Alternatively I could just take my work phone with me, they keep nagging me to just use that phone anyway but I like being able to escape work.

[LordHaveMurci]

Only switched to smart phones about 5yrs ago, would I switch back?

Probably not but if I had to I'm sure I'd cope just fine, I probably use the camera more than any other function but emailed voucher codes for cinema, eating out etc are useful as is the calendar.

Useful to have internet if I'm sat around waiting for the kids (again) which is the main reason I switched.

[FunkyNige]

Randy Winkman said:

Thanks all. After making my post I did wonder if there was any point asking in this forum but I'm glad to see that people appreciate my issue. I might get a 3310 on pay-as-you-go for a bit to see what happens. It will be a bit of fun to have a 3310 again anyway.

Do we know what's going to be so special about the 3310? The 105 does everything a dumb phone has ever done and is £20, I've got one for dealing with the great unwashed when I'm buying/selling but couldn't live without a touchscreen, access to emails, etc. day to day.

[TameRacingDriver]

Another one who wouldn't entertain the thought of getting rid. The amount of features I would have to do without that I use regularly would in all likelihood make life a lot more difficult than it is now. In particular though, I like having a fairly high quality camera on me. Comes in useful in many ways I'd never thought about.

[wong]

bhstewie said:

I'm sure people have done it, but I've been in far more situations where having a smartphone has been a benefit than not having one, unless you count battery life which is probably the biggest difference between a smart and dumb phone.

The newest phones with fast charging helps with "battery life". I've got a Oneplus 3T - Wake up, switch phone on, below 50 % charge? stick it on whilst you wash, brush your teeth, etc. and its charged 50% in 30 mins (slows down after 85-90%).