I’m Breaking Up With My iPhone For This

You’ve felt the itch. You’ve normalized it. You were just checking the time, right? But you’re wearing a watch, so why did you just grab your phone?

You can’t help it, literally.

Survey says that the average person reaches for their smartphone 205 times a day¹ — that’s once every five minutes. Now, pair that with the staggering rise in distracted drivers, and it’s enough to make you stop and think: How did we get here?

We’ve willingly handed over our focus, our time, and even our relationships to a device that was supposed to save us time, not rob us of it. It’s the perfect illusion of productivity, but at what cost? It hasn’t helped us call the people who matter, but it’s made sure we’re always within reach. So, here’s the question: Could we ever imagine life without it?

I started looking to move away from the iPhone when I bought my iPhone 13 Mini; ironic, right? Initially, it was about USB-C. I wanted to carry one cable instead of juggling multiple ones and never having the right one. I promised myself it would be my last iPhone.

Over time, I realized it wasn’t just about cables or boredom with the layout. I wanted something simpler. A phone for calls, while using other devices for entertainment. That was the first time I questioned if I needed a smartphone at all.

The birth of my first child was the final push. Winning back my time became the priority. Soon after, I acquired my wife’s old iPod Classic, which was stuffed away in a drawer. I canceled Spotify and cut my screen time to under two hours a day, far below the national average of four².

It became clear that not only was it doable, but it was something I no longer felt I needed to do but something I wanted to do. I started to map out what my perfect arsenal would look like or an everyday carry as it’s called. A phone to make calls and send texts, my iPod Classic, a notebook for jotting notes, my wallet, and a camera. My carry could then be configured to include only what I needed depending on my needs.

Ungrouping My Carry

There’s this misconception that digital mindfulness and intentionality mean you have to carry a gazillion things all the time when it in fact offers simplicity. Carry what you need, leave behind what you don’t. Don’t allow the “but what if I need?” to trickle in, you’ll know when you need it. There are times either at night or when I’m bike commuting that I know having my phone is simply smart in case of an emergency. Otherwise, my essentials can vary.

Going for a mid-day walk? Wallet and music.

Headed out to dinner with my wife? Notebook, wallet, and camera.

Daddy-daughter ice cream date? Phone, wallet, and camera.

Weekend trip to my in-laws? Everything (plus my Aeropress, beans, and grinder because there’s not a cafe within 10 miles and while they always have coffee, well… yeah 😂)

There are also times when aboard public transit or bike commuting that I have everything with me and then some, all neatly packed away in my Tom Bihn Medium Cafe Bag. It even holds my M1 Macbook Air.

The beauty of single-purpose devices is the ability to exist and complete a task without distractions. It does one thing great. I also can extend the battery life of each device instead of losing my phone entirely for the evening due to documenting moments and streaming music while group chats and social media run in the background. I originally purchased the iPhone 13 mini as I liked the form factor of smaller phones. I wanted something that did everything I needed without the bulk of a phablet. Big phones are such a standard nowadays that the term is now outdated.

So now what?

Light Phone 3

The biggest issue with most “dumbphones” is that they’re just not appealing enough to make the switch worthwhile. I liked the look of Punkt’s MP02, but the lukewarm reviews kept me from committing.

After following the Light Phone since its early days, I’ve seen it evolve from a niche concept to a serious minimalist contender. The original device’s E-ink screen was a bold move, but the slow refresh rate would’ve driven me mad. With the release of the Light Phone 3, the company has introduced a device that truly balances simplicity with functionality, and I’m ready to make the switch.

The Light Phone 3 keeps its focus on the essentials: calling, texting, and the occasional photo. No social media or ad tracking. The phone suddenly becomes a tool. This iteration features a 3.92-inch OLED display, a significant upgrade from the E-ink screen of its predecessors. It does however still lag behind typical smartphones in terms of speed. Besides, without the need to jump in and out of apps, you may barely notice.

The tactile experience is another standout for me, with a manual brightness scroll wheel and a flashlight toggle that offer physical control and simplicity. For camera enthusiasts, the Light Phone 3 includes a 50-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera with a dedicated shutter button, giving the device a classic camera feel.

Looking ahead, the Light Phone 3 isn’t just about minimalism; it’s built with the future in mind. It includes NFC for payments, a USB-C port, 5G/4G LTE support, a fingerprint reader, 128GB storage, and replaceable batteries. It’s a phone that promises to do what it’s meant to do.

As someone tired of the digital noise, the Light Phone 3 might just be the device I’ve been waiting for.

Is it Right For You?

More than likely, not in the slightest.

There are several reasons why:

• This is the first iteration of the LED screen, so if you’re expecting a fully polished product out of the box, think again. But there’s a real sense of community — Reddit forums provide direct feedback to decision-makers, and owners know updates roll out over time.
• While it’s currently on sale for $599, the retail price will be$799. Remember, premium. This isn’t mass-produced with volume-driven price breaks — it’s an investment.
• It’s small. Really small. About the size of a shirt pocket. Just check out the custom leather wallet cover made for it.

Devices begin shipping in April and I’m sure there’ll be more than enough reviews out there to solidify my beliefs and at this point, expectations. While I’m not leaving the Apple ecosystem entirely, I am excited about this device and believe it will truly transform how I engage with my everyday life. Although most breakups can be messy, they eventually bring clarity.

If you’ve deleted apps only to have them creep back and you’re ready to accept that this won’t be easy. You, too, can leave your smartphone behind.

Footnotes:

1. You won’t believe the number of months the average American wasted checking his phone in 2024
2. How Much Phone Time Is Too Much Phone Time? Scientists Research Digital Addiction

phablet (ˈfablɪt) — noun, a smartphone having a screen which is intermediate in size between that of a typical smartphone and a tablet computer.

Some links may be affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission to support my work, at no extra cost to you.