Are basic and feature phones making a comeback?

After the first Apple iPhone was introduced back in 2007, smartphones have slowly but surely dominated the mobile world. This saw the replacement of old bar and clamshell handsets with touchscreen units capable of receiving email, accessing social media websites and starting instant messages. However, not everyone needs the smart functions brought about by these devices. Some users will only need call and text features, and a battery that can last the whole day.

With this in consideration, it is foreseen that basic and feature phoneswill make a comeback, and could even become the next big trend. In a statement to CBS Philadelphia, onecutreviews.com creator Darren Zygadlo expressed that the biggest draw of these devices is nostalgia, as well as the significantly lower price tag compared to smartphones.

“We’ve hit a point where we can pretty much do everything with these phones and I think some people are finding themselves saying, ‘What do I need all that for?’,”he shared.

HMD Global, marketing itself as “the home of Nokia phones,” reintroduced the Nokia 3310 back in February 2017, which bore a lot of resemblance to the iconic phone sold back in 2000. In October, 3G connectivity was added.

More recently, Chinese tech website VTECH leaked a new variant of the phone, which reportedly will take advantage of 4G LTE and run a forked version of Android. Aside from these, it will sport a 2.4in screen and a 1,200mAh battery. Should the device see the light of day, it will enable users to connect to the Internet faster without the need for an expensive handset.

InFocus is also reportedly looking to launch 4G feature phones as well, and has even taken the time to partner with Vodafone India for a tie-up.

Feature and basic phones remain the primary means of communication for many in emerging markets. Several models are even equipped with functionalities that prevent the device from becoming useless in times of major disasters. Even with the popularity of smartphones, it can be seen that classic phones will not go away, and instead continue to aid people in staying connected with friends and loved ones.