Best Dumb Phone Models in 2024

For a lot of people, the 90s were defined by the grunge band Nirvana, the hit sitcom Friends, and the Nokia 3310 -  a mobile phone synonymous with excellence. Today, this model is back with a vengeance, packed with a couple of unique features. There were two revivals of this model in 2017 and 2019. We’re focusing on the 2019 version.

The first thing that stands out is the remarkably straightforward design. The sizable number pads make this an ideal texting design that enables users to easily send and receive text messages. The phone can also use two different SIM cards that serve different purposes. If your focus is on texting, go to the menu and select “Preferred SIM for messages.”   

The 2.4-inch display has a vivid selection of colors, including black and blue, and the QVGA screen resolution of 240x320 pixels will get the job done for most of the things that you’ll use the device for. The only exception is internet browsing which can be a bit tricky at times with this resolution.

The one area where this dumb phone shines is battery life. Packed with a 1,200 mAh removable battery, the Nokia 3310 3G can last for 22 hours of constant talking and up to 40 hours when you’re playing games. And if you leave it on standby, the battery will keep the device on for nearly four weeks. This particular model comes with 128 MB of internal memory, which can be enhanced up to 32GB by adding a MicroSD card.

The 2017 version only had a 2G network, but the newer models come with 3G network support. The GSM network bands are 900/1800, along with 2.1 Bluetooth connectivity support. All of this is powered globally by the Nokia series 30+ operating system. Meanwhile, in China, the 4G version runs on YunOS.

Nokia 3310 3G has a light design that’s also capable of withstanding minor drops without sustaining any real damage. However, the device isn’t as sturdy as some of the other models on our list. 

We didn't have any trouble navigating the phone's apps. The menu is neatly organized, and all the essential apps are easily accessible. 

This dumb phone Nokia model also comes with a few additional apps and features. You have a torch function, an FM radio, and an excellent Snake game. However, if you’re looking for messaging apps like WhatsApp, Nokia 3310 3G isn’t the dumb phone for you.

Nokia 800 Tough is a dumb phone that has a tendency to surprise users with its excellent performance capabilities and many features. The phone’s candy bar design includes large buttons that facilitate an effortless experience when it comes to typing and texting.

But these components essentially compensate for the lackluster screen size on this candy bar phone model. In a way, this complicates the whole texting process. Still, a 240x320 resolution isn’t exactly the worst option on the market and should be perfectly sufficient for most users. And thanks to the dynamic colors on the screen, you won’t have to worry about straining your eyes. The 2.4-inch QVGA screen is also well-suited for playing games and much more.

As with the previous Nokia dumb phone, this model excels when it comes to battery life. The Nokia 800 Tough 2,100 mAh battery will last you between nine and 14 hours of constant talking, depending on the network type you use. If you’re using a 3G network, this phone lasts up to 43 days in standby mode, and with a 4G network, the battery can last up to 34 days on standby. Overall, we were very impressed with the battery lifespan.

Moreover, you can use a SIM card for both 3G and 4G LTE networks. You can also connect via Wi-Fi or create a mobile hotspot, which is an excellent addition. And if you need fast data transfers from another phone, Bluetooth 4.1 is a great asset. Just bear in mind that you’ll have a somewhat limited 4GB of storage space. But if you run out of storage, you can always add MicroSD cards to get more.

Furthermore, this Nokia phone is highly durable. The phone has an IP68 rating, which means it’s designed to withstand accidental drops, water, sand, and even extreme temperatures. In other words, you can take this Nokia phone anywhere because it will continue to work even if you submerge it in water as deep as 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes or drop it onto concrete from up to 1.8 meters.

Thanks to the dumb phone’s rubberized edges, these accidental drops will cause no or minimal damage. Also, it doesn’t matter whether you’re facing really low or high temperatures because the device is designed to withstand between -20°C and 55°C. As such, the "Tough" part of its name is fully justified.

This 4G phone comes with FM Radio, Facebook, and WhatsApp. You can download more apps thanks to the phone's KaiOS operating system. And don’t think that incorporating WhatsApp turns this model into a smartphone. WhatsApp communication is strictly limited to messaging purposes.

Of course, if you’re interested in downloading more apps, you'll be given a long list of choices, including Twitter, Google Assistant, and Google Maps. The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 205 processor, ensuring that all apps perform well.

Sleek is the best way to describe the Punkt MP02 design in one word. It might look like a calculator, but this dumb phone has very responsive and easy-to-use buttons. The keys have a circular design, which makes texting on this phone a highly comfortable experience.

The one aspect that won't get anyone excited is the 2-inch screen bordering on the barely readable. The good thing is that the phone goes for a 240x320 pixel resolution for functional messaging purposes. But the monochrome VA TFT transflective display means that this dumb phone tailors to users who want minimal distractions from our technologically advanced world. This point is further reinforced with the distinct lack of a camera.

The battery type is a 1,280 mAh lithium-ion that needs around two hours to fully charge. Unlike with the Nokia models on our list, the Punkt MP02 battery isn’t removable. It'll last you four hours when speaking and up to 13 days in standby mode, which is notably less than the dumb phone battery life of the afermentioned products. Luckily, 16GB of storage space will be enough to customize your phone and add a few features.

Punkt MP02 impressed us with excellent internet connectivity support via hotspot. You can connect to the network with Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth, which is much better than what other dumb phones are offering with respect to connectivity. You also have the option between the 4G LTE SIM cards and the older 2G and 3G networks. It’s powered by the Android Open Source Project or the AOSP 8.1 version from Google.

The phone body is made from a polycarbonate casing with a highly durable coating, while the screen glass is reinforced with fiber and has Gorilla Glass 3 protection. All of this means that Punkt MP02 is resistant to water splashes. However, we would not recommend submerging this dumb phone into water or dropping it onto concrete.

The dumb phone is on the slimmer side, considering the pre-installed apps and features. You got eCompass, airplane mode, and a monthly calendar along with a few more basic functions, but nothing special or too advanced. On the plus side, the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 210 processor guarantees solid software performance.

CAT phones are renowned for their resilience and bulky design, and the B30 model is no exception. This isn’t exactly a light phone, and the keys don’t offer much in the way of tactile feedback. They feel a bit slippery, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll have any problems texting. 

The screen design on the Cat B30 phone model involves a two-inch QCIF 176 x 220 display type. Unfortunately, this results in the colors feeling a little muted and washed-out, while the screen emanates subdued quality.

However, this is expected from a CAT phone that focuses entirely on functionality and delivers an experience away from social media and the internet. It's all about chatting and texting capabilities, while its 1,000 mAh removable lithium-ion battery ensures six hours of uninterrupted talking time. 

The battery will also work up to 10 days on standby mode. The internal storage space of 128 MB can and will feel mighty cramped, especially if you add MP3 music files. You can alleviate that by adding the MicroSD card that provides up to 32 GB of additional storage space.

With Cat B30, users have a choice between a 2G and a 3G network with a maximum uplink data rate of 384 Kbps. These features also highlight the fact that this dumb phone doesn’t tailor to users who require a constant internet connection. 

On the other hand, the B30 model provides unparalleled resistance to any potential damage. With an IP67 rating, this dumb phone is resistant to water submersion up to one meter and is impervious to dust. Moreover, drop tests show that it can survive falls onto concrete from up to 1.8 meters.

Aside from the MP3 and MP4 player and the FM radio, the Cat B30 comes equipped with a rear two megapixels camera and an LED torch. The good thing is that it uses a proprietary Android-based OS so that you can download a dozen "rugged" apps from Cat's App Toolbox and Google Play.

Doro’s primary focus is on straightforward and intuitive design above all else. The numeric keyboard has one of the most elementary designs and is easier to use than many other dumb phones. It even supports hearing aids, and there is an emergency assistance button for users to notify their contacts about the dumb phone's location. All in all, this is one of the devices that tailors to new mobile users, especially the elderly ones.

It also has the biggest screen on our list with an impressive 2.8-inch color display, which is perfect for texting, playing games, or browsing the internet. The supported resolution is QVGA, or 240 x 320 pixels, which is a treat for the eyes.

The battery life is equally impressive. Doro 7010 has a 1,600 mAh lithium-ion battery that provides seven hours of constant talking. And when you put the phone on standby mode, the battery will last for a decent 13 days. Unfortunately, the 4GB of storage isn’t always enough for such a well-polished device, prompting users to turn to a MicroSD card for additional storage space.

Doro 7010 supports 3G and 4G networks, which will help with locating a suitable mobile provider. With a hotspot support connection via Wi-Fi, you can hook yourself up to the internet and check Facebook and WhatsApp, which are preloaded on the phone.

Aside from these two popular apps, you'll get other useful mobile apps, including customizable wallpaper, startup wizard, a calculator, and calendar. You'll receive all the apps needed for everyday activities. It runs on DorOS.