Dumb Co launches $20 flip phone to help users cut screen time

Dumb Co, a startup founded by former therapist Lydia Peabody after taking part in the Month Offline challenge, has released the “Dumb Phone.” Packaged in a $20 TCL flip‑phone case, the device runs the company’s own software and can sync with a smartphone, allowing users to access apps such as WhatsApp, Spotify, Apple Music, Uber and even iMessage via a third‑party client. Call and text forwarding can be toggled on or off, letting owners leave their main phone at home while still staying reachable in emergencies. Funded by friends and family, the small team of people in their 20s and 30s markets the phone as a way to reduce screen time and promote more present social interaction.

Early reviewers note the phone’s slower performance and T9 typing but praise its ability to spark conversations and serve as a tangible reminder to disconnect from constant smartphone use.