U.S. adults increasingly adopt flip phones to curb smartphone addiction

A growing number of Americans are swapping their smartphones for basic flip phones with physical keypads. Research shows users look at their phones about 186 times a day, averaging 11.6 checks per hour, and 46 % say they feel dependent on their devices. The shift is driven by a desire for fewer notifications, reduced app distractions, and longer battery life.

The trend has gained traction on social media, especially the Reddit community r/dumbphones, which now hosts roughly 200 000 weekly participants discussing the move to simpler devices. Celebrities such as Aziz Ansari, Ed Sheeran and Camila Cabello have publicly endorsed the “flip‑phone revolution.” Prices start around $30, and some carriers offer plans as low as $15 per month, making the switch financially accessible.

Six individual stories illustrate the motivations behind the change: a software engineer in Florida reduced screen time to be more present with his children; a 24‑year‑old stopped using social media to focus on reading; a professional removed smartphones from the workplace to improve concentration; a university student sought deeper friendships without video loops; another user wanted a longer‑lasting device free from advertising; and a final participant aimed to limit daily screen exposure to seven hours.