I’ll admit, the trend for going back and using devices with more intent has caught my attention. First there was the family member, who’s at uni and using a Panasonic camcorder, then there was the YouTube video about these neat little mp3 players. Oh and digital cameras that resemble proper film cameras. What is going on?
Trend or not, I’m liking and subscribing to this. I picked up a Panasonic SDR-26 for less than £50 off of eBay. It’s a neat bit of kit. The kids love it – it’s way more fun to take bit of video with a an actual camcorder than holder a pane of glass. Yes, the video is poorer quality, but do we care? Nope. Not a single person will look back at family moments and discuss the incredible 4K footage and frame rate of family videos.
Once I’ve had time to edit some bits of footage I may upload the VHS to Youtube.
Isn’t this post about small phones? Yep, I digress – the whole using tech for a purpose with intent is leading me down a path of looking at other devices such as music players and cameras, but first – the phone.
It’s a joke that the iPhone is even called a phone. How many phone calls have you made in the past week? Is it less than 10% of the number of WhatsApps you’ve sent and received?
No? I don’t believe you. Thanks to phone makers pushing the idea of larger phones, all phones are now actually massive. It’s just happened slowly over the course of the last 20yrs that we haven’t noticed. Much like Mars bars getting smaller.
These phones are massive because they aren’t phones, they’re powerful computers and the massive screens help with all the scrolling and swiping through endless videos of stuff we’re watching but had no intention to actually watch.
So yes – I toyed with the idea of getting a “dumb” phone – my son’s Nokia flip phone is a beautiful thing with that satisfying motion of answer and ending a call. Can I live with a dumb phone? No, I can’t – there are apps and things I actually need to do with this mini computer.
But does it need to be massive? No. So for an experiment I turned off my iPhone Pro Max and moved over to a 5yr old iPhone 13 Mini. WTF? I know – madness, but do you know what’s even more ridiculous? That massive phone in your pocket.
We don’t need these latest, greatest devices – yes they are technically brilliant, incredible things. Do we need them? Nope. That brand new amazing phone from 5yrs ago is actually still pretty damn amazing. And it cost me less than a fifth of the price. You can use the difference to have a fun weekend away for a family of 4.
Perspective.
I love my “mini iPhone” – it’s actually the right size. You can use apps with one hand. It’s light, it’s small, it fits in all pockets. If I lose it or break it, it’s £200 or less to replace.
Have I stuck with the mini iPhone? Yes I have – the ridiculously named Pro Max has gone to a good home via eBay and I’ve put the funds into my treat fund for another piece of tech.
My only issue is, a year or two from now, I’ll be at risk of Apple discontinuing support for a 7yr old device. While ok, initially, it’s far from ideal. Yes, it’s a 2yrs away problem, but Apple – please bring back proper sized (smaller) phones.
