‘Dumbphone’ fans disconnect in face of smartphone dominance

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.