A very simple phone, no internet connectivity

[sealtt]

Hello,

I want to get a break at weekends from business and just be able to relax without receiving WhatsApp messages or being tempted to check online performance metrics - and most importantly having no way of checking for any 'urgent' emails from our customers who often operate over the weekend.

As such, I want to park up my iPhone on Friday evening, and for Saturday and Sunday just have a separate phone which doesn't have any more ability than to make calls and send texts. I don't want to be able to have apps and I don't want any smartphone capabilities at all, no internet connectivity please.

The only thing which would be useful is a top spec camera... but I will just buy one separately I suppose as really can't see a zero-frills phone having a good camera.

Any suggestions of what to go for?

[Mr Pointy]

Why don't you just turn the SIM data & Wi-Fi off? Then you'll only get calls & texts.

[InitialDave]

Asda have basic Alcatel phones for £13 that include a Vodafone SIM and £10 credit.

That's what I have as backup/burner.

[sealtt]

Mr Pointy said:

Why don't you just turn the SIM data & Wi-Fi off? Then you'll only get calls & texts.

Not the same really, there would always be the ability / temptation to check how things are going.

Anyway, the type of phone I want is going to be very cheap so not really any reason not to.

[cobra kid]

But won't you be tempted to look at the "parked up" phone if nearby?

[Mr Pointy]

sealtt said:

Mr Pointy said:

Why don't you just turn the SIM data & Wi-Fi off? Then you'll only get calls & texts.

Not the same really, there would always be the ability / temptation to check how things are going.

Anyway, the type of phone I want is going to be very cheap so not really any reason not to.

You'll soon get bored of swapping the SIM out twice a week.

[The_Jackal]

Why are you actually asking? You know the answer.
Whats stopping you just buying an old Nokia on Gumtree or getting one out of someone's junk draw?

[alorotom]

Mr Pointy said:

You'll soon get bored of swapping the SIM out twice a week.

Just set call forward etc. No swapping necessary

[AJB88]

Not going to get a decent camera without having a phone that has app capability.

Event the cheap Nokia's like the new 3310 have 3G on them and apps.

[sealtt]

AJB88 said:

Not going to get a decent camera without having a phone that has app capability.

Event the cheap Nokia's like the new 3310 have 3G on them and apps.

Yes, having done some more searching, I'm noticing that. So forget about the camera, any alternatives.

It seems many of the most basic phones still have a WAP browser, almost impossible to find something with nothing.

The_Jackal said:

Why are you actually asking? You know the answer.
Whats stopping you just buying an old Nokia on Gumtree or getting one out of someone's junk draw?

That would be an option but still can't remember which models didn't have WAP browser, etc. How far back, early 2000s?

And I am asking as I really don't know the answer. I have not found for sure yet a phone I could buy which has no smartphone capabilities and no web browser. Even the most basic phones seem to have a basic browser built in.

The one phone I've come across this afternoon is this: https://www.thelightphone.com

It seems to be designed to solve my exact problem, but is $350 + taxes and is not even shipping yet, so in theory a solution, but I'm sure there is a better option.

Mr Pointy said:

You'll soon get bored of swapping the SIM out twice a week.

Just going to get another SIM for this, only give my weekend number to family/friends, to avoid any risk of business calls.

cobra kid said:

But won't you be tempted to look at the "parked up" phone if nearby?

Would leave it on charge in my home office, may check briefly in the mornings just in case of any urgent matters, but for rest of day out of sight and out of mind.

InitialDave said:

Asda have basic Alcatel phones for £13 that include a Vodafone SIM and £10 credit.

That's what I have as backup/burner.

Thanks for suggestion, had a look and it seems it still has a browser though. looking for something even more basic and simple!

[Paul_M3]

If you REALLY want to switch off that weekends and only use your phone for emergencies then get one of these 'prison' phones:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smallest-Changer-Dialler-...

I bought one to stick in my shorts pocket when I go out running. It's surprisingly good for phone calls. Wouldn't want to be sending lots of texts on it though!

[hutchst]

I've got a couple of old Nokias lying around somewhere. I think I'll stick a sim in and see what happens

[sealtt]

Paul_M3 said:

If you REALLY want to switch off that weekends and only use your phone for emergencies then get one of these 'prison' phones:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smallest-Changer-Dialler-...

I bought one to stick in my shorts pocket when I go out running. It's surprisingly good for phone calls. Wouldn't want to be sending lots of texts on it though!

Oh v cool, that's a great suggestion. Read the reviews and it seemed some say it didn't work that well, but yours is fine i presume.

Leaning towards giving that a try! My other top option is just to find an old enough solid Nokia or something that will do the job - e.g. would the original 3310 have a web browser or is it just phone / message / snake? Just can't remember.

[alorotom]

Another option being a credit card phone

SMS and calls only. Sub£20 too. I have one I picked up in Thailand years ago. Great for emergencies.

https://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_858019.htm...

[Paul_M3]

sealtt said:

Paul_M3 said:

If you REALLY want to switch off that weekends and only use your phone for emergencies then get one of these 'prison' phones:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Smallest-Changer-Dialler-...

I bought one to stick in my shorts pocket when I go out running. It's surprisingly good for phone calls. Wouldn't want to be sending lots of texts on it though!

Oh v cool, that's a great suggestion. Read the reviews and it seemed some say it didn't work that well, but yours is fine i presume.

Yeah, it works perfectly. Charged it up, put in a pay as you go Giffgaff SIM and it turned on and worked like any other phone. I'm assuming that quality control isn't amazing, so perhaps the odd one slips through that's faulty.

I took it out one night to show some friends. They all thought I was joking and that it was a novelty lighter or something until I rang it with my normal phone and spoke to them.

[sealtt]

Thanks guys, those are great options.

[Simon Brooks]

https://www.tescomobile.com/shop/pay-as-you-go/imo...

[AJB88]

3310 didn't have wap don't think, think the 3330 was the wap phone.

[KarlMac]

I remember doing this year's ago when 3g became a thing. I used to swap my sim into an old Nokia 8210 when going out cause it was less than half the size of my phone back then and I didn't care if I lost it. I only needed it to call/text mates to arrange to meet up.

Any payg phone from a supermarket will do, or get on eBay to score retro points with something like an 8850.

[iphonedyou]

The_Jackal said:

Why are you actually asking? You know the answer.
Whats stopping you just buying an old Nokia on Gumtree or getting one out of someone's junk draw?

Junk draw?