Keep It Simple: The 10 Best Dumb Phones Available Now

Get back to the basics with these awesome not-so-smart mobile phones.

Feb 24, 2011
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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

If you live in a major city you may think everyone either has a BlackBerry, iPhone, or Android phone, but according to the marketing research firm, comScore, nearly 73 percent of cellular owners in America own traditional mobile phones, which have been affectionally dubbed dumb phones. So why are so many Americans drawn to non-smartphones? Simple. Most people just want a handset that can make phone calls, receive text messages, and maybe send the occasional e-mail if necessary. And they're inexpensive. So for those in the market for a mobile phone that gets the job done, here’s a look at The 10 Best Dumb Phones.

Samsung Intensity II

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Samsung Intensity II

Key features: 2.2-inch

TFT screen, QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, microSD card slot, and 1.3MP camera

Complex says: The Intensity II

comes equipped with a comfortable QWERTY keyboard, high-resolution screen and

good battery life. Social media apps like the Social Beat give you access to

RSS feeds, along with your Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace updates. There’s also

a one-click search feature located on the main screen courtesy of Bing. And

best of all, there’s no data plan requirement, so you can text and send emails

as much as you please. That's pretty smart for a dumb phone.

Click here to Buy It Now at Verizon, $29.99

 

Pantech Ease

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Pantech Ease

Key features: 3.2-inch

TFT touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, 3G, Bluetooth, GPS, and 2MP camera

Complex says: The stunning QVGA display produces a vibrant 240x400-pixel

resolution and is one of the most responsive touchscreens of any non-smart phone

available. Its basic interface offers Easy and Advanced modes to help amateurs

and pros get into the swing of things. Pantech’s noise suppression

technology helps deliver solid call quality on a 3G network, plus users can

access AT&T’s Address Book and backup their contacts on the network’s

servers. Here’s a great backup plan for when your smartphone kicks the bucket.

Click here to Buy It Now at AT&T, $50

G'zOne Brigade

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Casio G'zOne Brigade

Key features: 2.9-inch

TFT screen, circular OLED display, QWERTY keyboard, PTT (Push-to-Talk)

functionality, Bluetooth, and microSD card slot

Complex says: If the G-Shock brand has taught us anything it's that Casio

knows how to build durable hardware. This waterproof and shock-resistant phone

dons a hard plastic shell case and a durable QWERTY keyboard that could withstand the harshest wear-and-tear. Integrated PTT technology lets owners use the handset

as a walkie-talkie, plus the phone features instant messaging and e-mail access depending on your Verizon

data plan. With battery life clocked at seven hours of talk time, the Brigade

stands strong on the frontline of elite dumb phones.

Click here to Buy It Now at Verizon Wireless, $99

LG Dlite

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LG dLite

Key features: 2.8-inch

TFT screen, external OLED display, 3G, microSD card slot, and two megapixel

camera

Complex says: LG's handset adds some visual flare to the standard mobile

phone with dope sketch-inspired UI graphics and stylish LED lighting

effects. It also promotes the essential communication package with great call

quality, spot-on reception, and a resonant speakerphone. And with the

assistance of T-Mobile’s Social Buzz app, users can receive all Facebook,

Twitter, and MySpace updates on their homescreen. There’s also AIM, Windows

Live, and Yahoo Messenger support. Maybe this one isn't too dumb after all.

Click here to Buy It Now at T-Mobile, $20 (After mail-in rebate)

Samsung Evergreen

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Samsung
Evergreen

Key features: 2.2-inch TFT screen, QWERTY

keyboard, 3G, Bluetooth, microSD card slot, and 2 MP camera

Complex
says: This eco-friendly
treasure displays colorful WAP and HTML Web pages and pushes fast response
speeds thanks in part to 3G-network support. You have a four-row QWERTY keyboard
that makes for great texting, especially when updating social sites via AT&T
Social Net. Its 2MP camera produces quality shots and call quality ranks high
compared to other AT&T models. Here’s a phone that can leave many smartphone users green with envy.

Click here to Buy It
Now at AT&T, $179.99

Motorola i866

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Motorola i886

Key features: 2.2-inch

TFT screen, QWERTY keyboard, PTT (Push-to-Talk) functionality, Bluetooth,

GPS, microSD card slot, and 2MP camera

Complex says: The

Linux-based operating system running on this handset looks similar to the Android OS, but the i866’s

interface is more user-friendly. Customize shortcuts and widgets

across three homescreens with the menu key and take advantage of Nextel’s PTT

services like International Direct Connect, Group Connect, and Direct Talk.

Keep tabs on messages as well as texts via

conversation threads. With some finesse you just might be able to pass this one off as a smartphone.

Click here to Buy It Now from Sprint, $80

LG Lotus Elite

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LG Lotus Elite

Key features: 2.4-inch

TFT screens (internal and external touchscreen), QWERTY keyboard, EVDO 3G data, Bluetooth, microSD card slot, and 2MP

camera

Complex says: Sprint adds some interesting twists to the second-generation of its compact handset such as a large external touchscreen and an improved

QWERTY keyboard. In addition, social media integration lets users watch YouTube

videos, monitor Facebook and Twitter accounts, and enjoy all of the Sprint-branded

services like Sprint TV and Sprint Navigation. This is what we call a dumb

feature phone.

Click here to Buy It Now at Sprint, $30

Sanyo Taho

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Sanyo Taho

Key features: 2-inch

TFT screen, numeric keyboard, Bluetooth, GPS, microSD card slot, and 2MP camera

Complex says: Sanyo has always produced great quality phones and the Taho

only adds to its legacy. Complying with the Military 810F spec, the handset is built

to endure water, dust, vibration, and any other hazardous conditions and materials. It

can even withstand being run over by a car numerous times—we don’t

advise you do so. Besides bearing a rugged exterior, it also offers a loud

speakerphone apt for all environments. Construction workers and mountain hikers apply

here.

Click here to Buy It Now at Sprint, $99

Samsung Restore

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Samsung Restore

Key features: 2.6-inch

TFT screen, QWERTY keyboard, 3G, Bluetooth, microSD card slot, and 2MP camera

Complex says: Built from 84 percent recyclable materials and

packaged with the power-efficient Energy Star charger, the Restore is an

eco-friendly phone meant to appeal to the tree huggers of the world. Its One-click menu system

features a customizable strip for icons and offers green tips and information. There are also a number of green-themed apps that come pre-loaded on the phone to keep you on top of

your eco-game. Screened calls come out clear and the speakerphone is resounding as well. And they said cell phones were hazardous.

Click here to Buy It Now at Sprint, Free (After instant web discount)

LG Rumor Touch

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LG
Rumor Touch

Key features: 3-inch

TFT touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, 2G, Bluetooth, GPS, microSD card slot, and

2MP camera

Complex says: A huge upgrade from the Rumor2, the Touch touts an improved design, three-inch touchscreen with 240x400 resolution, and new messaging features such as built-in e-mail and social network integration.

The spacious five-row QWERTY keyboards provides breathing room for heavy-duty

texting, while the impressive touch U.I. offers an eye-catching bubble presentation

like T-Mobile’s MyTouch series, displaying new voicemail and missed call

alerts. Sprint also offers 3G support.

Click here to Buy It Now at Sprint, $50

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