Lately I gave up my iPhone 15 Professional Max and used the Nokia 2780 Flip for every week. I used to be curious whether or not I might survive, and perhaps even thrive, with an up to date tackle a traditional flip cellphone in 2024. In a smartphone-saturated world, it felt like an formidable endeavor.
Nokia stopped making telephones itself in 2014, however HMD has licensed the title to make new fashions. So this cellphone is from HMD which — enjoyable reality — rebranded itself as Human Cell Units throughout Cell World Congress 2024.
Learn extra: Barbie Flip Telephone Is Coming From Mattel, HMD to Spotlight Your Goals
With its quintessential flip-phone design, the Nokia 2780 Flip is harking back to the Nokia 2760 from the late 2000s (which, in fact, CNET reviewed in 2008). However it additionally has newer options like YouTube and Google Maps, which made this problem really feel a bit extra possible for this point in time. It prices $90, has 4G connectivity and runs on main carriers and MVNOs within the US (like AT&T, Verizon, T-Cell and Enhance).
Along with calling, texting, watching YouTube movies and navigating with Google Maps, you should use this cellphone to surf the net, ship emails, take pictures and hearken to music. There are additionally a number of utility options, together with however not restricted to climate, calendar and notes apps. And it would not be a Nokia cellphone if it did not have Snake. There’s additionally a folder with different predownloaded video games, like 2048 and Whack-a-Mole.
As I used to be transferring my contacts and music onto this flip cellphone, FOMO kicked in. I used to be scared I might miss one thing essential with out my iPhone. However that did not cease me from shifting ahead with the problem anyway. So I put my iPhone in a really hard-to-reach drawer and adopted the Nokia 2780 Flip full-time. And I grew to become rather less nervous as soon as I spotted it did an ideal job of finishing up a cellphone’s most essential operate — that’s, making calls.
Stellar calling expertise
Calling on the Nokia 2780 Flip is intuitive. I might both choose a Contact and press the middle key to put a name, or simply dial a quantity and press the decision or middle key. As cool as I believe I look with this flip cellphone as much as my ear, I talked on speakerphone more often than not. My family and friends mentioned I sounded clear, however try the video above to listen to for your self. As for the way calls sounded to me on the Nokia 2780 Flip, they got here by about as clearly as they usually do on my smartphone. To hold up, I might both hit the tip key or very dramatically flip the cellphone closed, which I saved for particular events, however do love.
T9: Textual content on 9 keys
Bear in mind the T9 keyboard? You press the numbers with the letters on the keypad and the cellphone guesses what phrase you need. To be sincere, I did not know learn how to use it as a result of I had a T9 pay-as-you-go cellphone for about six months in fifth grade, after which an iPhone after that.
However I used to be accustomed to multi-tap texting, the place you press the numbers a number of instances to put in writing a message letter-by-letter. So I spent my week on the Nokia doing that, which was cumbersome to say the least. In consequence, my texts had been quick and did not have a lot character. My pals instructed me that every time my messages had been over a line, they had been impressed.
It wasn’t till taking pictures B-roll of the Nokia 2780 Flip that my CNET colleague, John Kim, taught me learn how to correctly sort on a T9 keypad. T9 positively allowed me to sort extra rapidly, but it surely did not at all times predict the phrase I used to be on the lookout for. And it wasn’t as environment friendly as typing on my iPhone, in fact, so I might nonetheless need to preserve my texts concise when messaging from the Nokia 2780 Flip.
One surprising perk of this keyboard is that, as a result of typing is a chore, I discovered I replied to texts extra rapidly to get it over with, which is sweet as a result of usually I am notoriously gradual to return texts. And I used to be pleasantly stunned to search out that I might ship a reasonably good number of emoji, and see those despatched to me, even when they weren’t obtainable on the flip cellphone.
A digital camera with a nostalgic allure
I actually loved testing the digital camera on this cellphone. With 5-megapixels, it is fairly completely different from the 48-megapixel digital camera on my iPhone 15 Professional Max. It is extra similar to an iPhone 4 digital camera from 2010.
The shutter pace is slower than the one on my smartphone, so I typically moved too quick whereas taking an image. The outcomes had been pictures with a little bit of movement blur.
It may be onerous to see what I used to be photographing as a result of this cellphone’s show will get darkish at sure angles.
Zoomed-in photographs look fuzzy.
Low-light photographs aren’t very clear both, though utilizing the flash does assist slightly bit. However even these “imperfect pictures” have a nostalgic really feel that made me like this digital camera.
And here’s what made me love this digital camera. I discovered that with endurance and good lighting, I might get some pretty high-quality-looking pictures as effectively. Dare I say these footage seem like they may’ve been taken on, perhaps, an iPhone 11 from 2019?
I even discovered an answer for low-light settings. The small however mighty palm-sized clip gentle from Newmowa was good to make use of with the Nokia 2780 Flip. It shone sufficient gentle to make pictures taken in less-than-ideal lighting situations seem like they, too, had been maybe taken on an iPhone 11. The proof is within the pictures under. Simply take a look at the distinction between the one taken with the clip gentle and the others taken with the cellphone’s flash or no extra gentle in any respect.
Nevertheless, the best video decision provided by the Nokia 2780 Flip is 480×720 pixels, so the standard is not nice (once more, you may watch my video on this web page to see for your self). You win some, you lose some.
The web expertise
The Nokia 2780 Flip is supplied with Google and a browser app, aptly known as Web. I used to be curious how a lot I might actually accomplish with the browser on this little flip cellphone, so I put it to the take a look at. I began by bookmarking my incessantly visited websites. Some websites, like Slack, did not work (apologies to any of my colleagues making an attempt to achieve me whereas I used to be on-the-go with this flip cellphone). However Fb, X, Instagram, Threads and TikTok did. Effectively, TikTok solely sort of works. Movies performed, however they had been lined by the caption. The cursor moved slowly, and I wasn’t in a position to log in to publish any content material. So I wasn’t doing a lot scrolling on my favourite web site whereas I used to be testing this cellphone.
I might log in and scroll on Instagram (my second-favorite web site), however the interface was squished and its cursor was laggy as effectively. I did handle to publish an Instagram story, however the high quality wasn’t nice (picture proof under) and I did not really feel like utilizing the gradual cursor to determine learn how to delete it.
There’s additionally a YouTube app, which is much less laggy than the web, however nonetheless gradual at instances. As a result of the Nokia 2780 Flip’s show is so small and will get too darkish to see movies at sure angles, I did not use this app very a lot.
It is value noting that there are browser shortcuts that help you experiment with, say, zooming out and in to make the interfaces of those websites seem much less squished. There’s additionally a “Scroll Mode” that may make looking on this cellphone slightly quicker, however even this mode stalls at instances.
To be sincere, I used to be impressed that this flip cellphone can run these websites in any respect. However as a result of the interfaces look completely different and the expertise is commonly slower and extra restricted in performance than it’s on my smartphone, I did not love being on-line on the Nokia 2780 Flip. However that did imply I used to be on my cellphone much less, which is not a foul factor.
Navigating with Maps
I admire that this cellphone has Google Maps as a result of I discover myself utilizing maps on my smartphone just about day by day. I do want Maps on the Nokia 2780 Flip indicated which path I used to be dealing with like my iPhone does so I might instantly inform if I used to be heading in the right direction. However in case you have a greater sense of path than me, this in all probability will not be a problem for you.
This cellphone would not have turn-by-turn navigation, although. As an alternative, I needed to press the upper-right button to see the following path. And it would not have voice navigation, so I prevented driving anyplace I wasn’t accustomed to. Not having voice navigation positively would’ve been troublesome for me long-term as a result of, once more, I’ve a foul sense of path.
Attempting Snake for the primary time
I performed Snake for the primary time whereas testing this cellphone, and though I am not nice at it (I stored lacking the apples and hitting the wall), I now perceive why it is so standard. My fellow CNETers Sean Booker, Abrar Al-Heeti and Religion Chihil additionally tried Snake on the Nokia 2780 Flip and instructed me it is completely different from the old-school model. For instance, the snake now has extra element that makes it seem like an precise snake, moderately than a line of pixels you must fake seems like one.
There’s additionally a Retailer with extra apps. The one factor I downloaded was a recreation known as Identify The Vegetable as a result of Sean wished to strive it (you may see his expertise in my video on this web page), however there are many different video games, utility apps and extra.
Jamming out with the Nokia 2780 Flip
I purchased a few of my present favourite albums and songs, put them on a microSD card and popped it into the flip cellphone to hearken to them on the Music app. This jogged my memory of how I used to purchase music for my iPod – very nostalgic. Nevertheless, midway by this problem, I obtained uninterested in the songs I downloaded, however could not justify shopping for extra but. And I am unable to use Spotify on this cellphone’s browser. So I listened to a few songs on YouTube, however as I discussed, I did not love utilizing that app. This cellphone additionally has FM radio performance. I did not use it typically, however appreciated that it was there in case I obtained actually uninterested in my music.
Productiveness apps (as a result of, : work)
The Nokia 2780 Flip additionally has e mail. I like that I can signal into a number of e mail accounts without delay. I did not ship many emails as a result of like texting, typing an e mail takes some time on this cellphone. However I did often examine my e mail. And whereas this cellphone was normally superb for that, generally the textual content appeared too small to learn, which was tough as a result of emails normally have essential data. When this occurred, I might put the cellphone down and browse the e-mail on a desktop, which was OK for the week however would’ve been completely unsustainable long-term.
As for the opposite utility options, I preferred that I might set a number of alarms on this cellphone (as a result of it takes a minimum of two to get me up within the morning) and appreciated how loud the ringer might get. This combo positively awoke me from my slumber every day. Whereas the T9 keypad made it cumbersome so as to add occasions to the Calendar, I preferred how occasion reminders had been clearly displayed within the Notices part of the cellphone. I examined the Nokia 2780 Flip throughout a stormy week in San Francisco and the climate app was dependable at predicting when it could rain subsequent. The Be aware and ToDo app interfaces are simple, however I did not use these options a lot, once more due to T9. As an alternative, I simply carried a notepad and pen. The calculator was intuitive. I did not use the Information app very a lot, but it surely was effectively organized.
I did miss having my notes, calendar and messages apps sync between my MacBook and cellphone. It is good that, after I’m utilizing my iPhone, I can pull up one thing I used to be typing on my pc and proceed engaged on it on my smartphone.
I admire that this cellphone has accessibility options, like the flexibility to make fonts seem greater and audio sound louder.
Nice battery life
I discovered the battery life on the Nokia 2780 Flip to be strong. On a jam-packed day the place I used to be navigating, taking numerous footage, posting to Instagram and listening to music, along with calling and texting, I had 100% battery at 10:30am and three% battery by 10:30pm.
Getting a full 12 hours of heavy use simulating how I might use my iPhone is spectacular. On my relaxed days the place I actually solely used the cellphone to name and textual content, I might go a day and a half (and even two) earlier than needing to cost. It is also value noting that the battery is detachable, so you may technically purchase a spare to swap out and in.
Digital detox?
The Nokia 2780 Flip pressured me to not Uber. This was traumatic after I was operating late and would’ve been unsustainable long-term as a result of, though I like to stroll, after I’m out at evening, I normally really feel most secure Ubering house. However not spending cash on Ubers for the week was good for my checking account. I am additionally so used to Apple Pay that I typically left to run errands with out my pockets. Whereas this added some extra time to my outings, it was additionally in all probability good for my checking account as a result of it gave me an additional second to determine if I actually wanted to purchase one thing.
So how was the digital detox that utilizing a Nokia flip cellphone afforded me? To be sincere, it was very uncomfortable, which was not one thing I used to be essentially anticipating. I examined a minimalist cellphone known as the Mild Telephone 2 just a few years in the past. At the moment, I actually appreciated how way more current I used to be with out always checking social media. And whereas I nonetheless preferred being extra current after I was out with my pals whereas testing the Nokia 2780 Flip, the remainder of the time, I felt anxious.
Upon reflection, I might liken my smartphone to an grownup pacifier that I subconsciously examine after I’m pressured or bored. Total, this problem has proven me how way more hooked up I’ve change into to my smartphone through the years, which is slightly regarding.
So can I dwell with a flip cellphone in 2024? Sure. And did I discover myself spending much less money and time on my cellphone? Completely, which is nice. However due to the underlying sense of hysteria I confronted with out my smartphone, I am undecided I might’ve used the Nokia 2780 Flip for longer than every week. And I more than likely will not be completely ditching my iPhone 15 Professional Max anytime quickly. However now that I am utilizing my iPhone once more, I positively take a look at it otherwise. This problem has impressed me to a minimum of attempt to set some more healthy boundaries with my smartphone in an try and wean myself off of this “grownup pacifier.”