‘Dumbphone’ fans disconnect in face of smartphone dominance

By Glenn CHAPMAN

Smartphones
Thursday, 30 Mar 2023
11:00 AM MYT

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Briones poses for a portrait at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023, while displaying a collection of smartphones that he discontinued using in 2019. Briones, 27, decided to stop using a smartphone in 2019, and instead uses what he refers to as a dumbphone, a change he felt was necessary to become more independent and less reliant on technology, resulting in a more simple and happier lifestyle. — Photos: AFP

SAN FRANCISCO: Shunning his smartphone for a “dumb” one changed the way Jose Briones engages with the world – and he likes it that way.

The 27-year-old Colorado resident turns to CDs when he wants music, instead of streaming it.

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Briones poses for a portrait at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023, while displaying a collection of smartphones that he discontinued using in 2019. Briones, 27, decided to stop using a smartphone in 2019, and instead uses what he refers to as a dumbphone, a change he felt was necessary to become more independent and less reliant on technology, resulting in a more simple and happier lifestyle. — Photos: AFP

Briones speaks to a coworker while using what he refers to as a dumbphone at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023. — AFP

Jose Briones displays a podcast that he listens to on his Light Phone 2 at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023. — AFP

A printed map and directions rest on Briones’ (not pictured) kitchen countertop, next to what he refers to as his dumbphone at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado. — AFP

Jose Briones looks over a printed map, which he will use for an upcoming trip, at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023. — AFP

Jose Briones speaks to a coworker while using what he refers to as a dumbphone at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023. — AFP

Jose Briones poses for a portrait at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023, while displaying a collection of smartphones that he discontinued using in 2019. — AFP

Jose Briones uses Mapquest on his computer to get directions, which he will print out, for an upcoming trip at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023. — AFP

Briones speaks to a coworker while using what he refers to as a dumbphone at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023. — AFP

Jose Briones displays his Light Phone 2 (L) and Sunbeam F1 phone at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023. — AFP

Briones uses his computer to respond to a Reddit message that he received on his forum Dumbphones while working at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023. — AFP

Jose Briones’ Light Phone 2 (C), which he refers to as a dumbphone, is surrounded by smartphones that he discontinued using in 2019, at his apartment in Littleton, Colorado, on March 24, 2023. — AFP

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Symbol	Open	High	Low	Last	Chg	%Chg	Vol ('00)
PUC	0.025	0.030	0.020	0.020	0.000	0.00	1,047,000
HSI-CWGB	0.110	0.130	0.110	0.130	0.015	13.04	758,668
HSI-PWHC	0.205	0.205	0.175	0.175	-0.030	-14.63	694,438
TANCO	0.955	0.965	0.940	0.940	-0.015	-1.57	655,096
MRDIY	1.630	1.650	1.590	1.630	-0.010	-0.61	576,892
HSI-PWFZ	0.240	0.240	0.200	0.200	-0.030	-13.04	570,317
YTL	2.160	2.160	2.120	2.120	-0.040	-1.85	496,824
HSI-CWEY	0.145	0.165	0.145	0.160	0.015	10.34	490,076
MYEG	0.905	0.920	0.905	0.905	0.000	0.00	477,094
HSI-CWC6	0.045	0.055	0.040	0.055	0.005	10.00	423,025
PBBANK	4.190	4.250	4.190	4.210	0.020	0.48	401,099
BJCORP	0.270	0.275	0.260	0.270	0.000	0.00	345,425
KPJ	2.660	2.660	2.560	2.580	-0.090	-3.37	341,552
HSI-PWHB	0.070	0.070	0.060	0.060	-0.015	-20.00	306,177
ASTRO	0.175	0.175	0.160	0.160	-0.015	-8.57	285,462

‘Dumbphone’ fans disconnect in face of smartphone dominance