Note: The video above wasn't meant for public consumption; it was a quick video I recorded for a couple of design colleagues to help vet an idea)
In an era dominated by smartphones and social media, a counterintuitive idea has been percolating in my mind: the potential resurgence of the "dumb phone." This weekend, I found myself sketching out a concept for such a device, envisioning a future where simplicity might become the ultimate luxury.
As our collective screen time continues to skyrocket, I'm increasingly convinced that we're approaching a tipping point. Soon, the mental toll of our hyper-connected lives may become too great to ignore, creating a market for devices that offer respite from the constant barrage of notifications and endless scrolling.
After speaking with smart phone industry veterans, our estimates suggest that bringing such a device to market, including all necessary cellular certifications, would require an investment of approximately $50-60 million. At present, the market for such a device likely isn't large enough to justify this level of investment.
While the "dumb phone" concept may not be market-ready, there's valuable insight to be gained from the development process. I'm considering creating a detailed guide—either a video or an article—that walks through the journey from initial idea to investor pitch. This would cover everything from market analysis to prototype creation, using the "dumb phone" as a case study but applicable to various product ideas. Would this kind of behind-the-scenes look at product development be useful to you? If so, what aspects would you find most interesting? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
