I purchased a basic phone for my grandmother, but I ended up using it instead.

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My grandma is 87 years old, and it goes without saying that she has a hard time around technology. So, when the battery inside her 10-year-old Nokia 110 breathed its last breath recently, I, as the IT guy of the family, decided to get her yet another feature phone instead of a smartphone. Except this time, I decided to go with slightly more advanced features than the last one. After weighing a few options, I chose a feature phone from a lesser-known brand, but one with promising specs, a guarantee of a secure build, and, above all, Wi-Fi.

When the phone finally arrived, I was incredibly impressed by features that went beyond what I had initially noted. I couldn't resist keeping it for myself, making my Nan wait for the second one to come. The device in question is the Blackview N1000, and there are numerous reasons why you, likely not an elderly person, might find this unique phone as fascinating as I did.

I'm not hesitant to handle it with just one hand.

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Smartphones are essential to my daily life, yet I often find myself overwhelmed by their ever-growing dimensions. Manufacturers are constantly adding new features, which inevitably leads to bulkier devices. Consequently, using a simple, lightweight feature phone can feel like a breath of fresh air.

The Blackview phone has a very utile texture on the edges, accented by a combination of plain and ridged design and, therefore, adds to a good grip. The design immediately reminded me of one of the coolest phones from the early 2000s, the Nokia 3220, a miniature night club of a phone armored in four sets of colorful LEDs on the sides. Sadly, the Blackview feature phone doesn’t have the LED, though it offers similarly assuring ergonomics.

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I can effortlessly grip the phone with my fingers and access all the buttons, including those on either side, without needing to use my other hand. The design appears to be quite well-balanced in terms of weight distribution, which reassures me that the phone won't slip out of my grasp while I'm typing. While you might have inferred this from the design itself, I will outline below the reasons—beyond its cost—why I feel a sense of confidence with this phone, allowing me to remain unfazed even when I accidentally drop it.

In an exciting development, the device features a removable battery located at the back, secured by four screws on the cover. To make things even easier, the manufacturer includes a small screwdriver in the packaging, allowing users to easily access the battery, as well as the dual SIM and memory card slots located within the phone.

It's unexpectedly sturdy.

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Feature phones have a reputation for being indestructible. While that’s an exaggeration, they are unquestionably more durable than smartphones. Blackview is a brand that also makes rugged Android devices in all shapes and sizes — including large rugged Android tablets. So, it isn’t truly surprising that it even gave the N1000 a rugged armor. What is a bit astounding, though, is the fact that this phone is rated for dust and water resistance.

The feature phone boasts an IP69 rating, ensuring its durability even when briefly immersed in water or exposed to high-pressure, high-temperature water streams. Additionally, all physical ports, such as the USB-C port located at the bottom and the headphone jack, are securely sealed.

In the meantime, the purported MIL-STD-810H certification guarantees its durability against impacts and heavy vibrations. To put it plainly, you can accidentally drop it from several stories high and still anticipate it to function properly. While it may not match the legendary toughness of the Nokia 3310, it's certainly impressive for a device priced under $100.

T9 typing evokes a strong sense of nostalgia.

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I belong to the group of individuals who have a strong preference for physical keyboards that offer significant tactile feedback. This passion likely arises from the fact that I didn't grow up tapping away on fragile touchscreens. Consequently, the idea of using actual buttons for typing on mobile devices genuinely excites me.

T9 adds to that thrill since it operates at a speed that rivals, or even surpasses, the pace of typing on a touchscreen keyboard.

For individuals unfamiliar with a T9 keyboard on a basic mobile phone, it functions as a predictive text system. Instead of repeatedly pressing a number key to select a specific letter, you simply press the key corresponding to all the letters it represents. By combining these key presses, the device (or any input system) offers word suggestions based on various combinations. Below, you can see the typing process for the word "digital" using a standard keypad compared to a T9 keyboard:

See how it’s easier and quicker? About 20 years ago, being able to type with T9 would automatically elevate you to the level of “the cool kid.” And, while I am out of touch with what makes you cool among your tween peers these days, I truly enjoy reliving that nostalgia. I even type nonsensical sentences (it’s nearly impossible to type gibberish words with T9) to keep my dopamine junky of a brain kicking.

Despite its low price point, the keys provide a satisfying tactile feel and a comfortable touch, in contrast to other budget feature phones that often have keys that are either too stiff and noisy or too soft to respond well. The keypad sits mostly flush with the phone's body, with only the direction pad being slightly elevated. This seamless design eliminates any friction when sliding your thumb across to reach the other keys while typing.

The large flashlight adds a practical element.

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Many feature phones available today are equipped with flashlights. This is largely due to the growing trend of digital detox, as there are few compelling features left to entice smartphone users to upgrade. Often, these phones include flashlights even in the absence of a camera, making their primary function simply to light up dark areas. While it's true that flashlights are beneficial in navigating the physical world, they are seldom effective for photography unless they are designed with that purpose in mind.

Blackview enhances the functionality of the flashlight by incorporating a large unit designed primarily for its basic purpose rather than photography. Although the brand does not provide specific specifications or brightness levels, it is noticeably brighter than the typical smartphone flashlight when observed. The substantial lens covering the small LED bulb is a testament to its power.

In addition to enhancing the flashlight feature, Blackview has introduced a specific button on the side of the phone that can be pressed and held to activate it. This button simplifies the process of turning on the light; however, you need to unlock the device and navigate to the home screen to access this control. Nonetheless, if you find a way to bypass this limitation, the flashlight proves to be a reliable asset.

A new year brings fresh strategies to tackle my Reels obsession.

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Like most millennials, I doomscroll short-form videos for short-lived escapades from the harsh realities of adult life. Over time, my brain has been programmed to reach apps like Instagram even when I pick up my phone with an entirely different intent. I have experimented with different ways of dealing with it; some have proved useful, and some have not. Finally, deleting the apps does me some good for a few days until I either rebound to another equally engrossing app or go back to the one I hoped to dump.

Not having a phone that supports Instagram has turned out to be a blessing for me. Rather than uninstalling the app, I've opted for a total escape from the distractions of a smartphone, choosing to play around with the N1000 instead. This way, I can give my cluttered mind a chance to reset and create healthier neural connections without the hassle of dealing with social media.

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The Blackview phone runs KaiOS, a recently defunded but still functional operating system specially designed for slightly smart feature phones. That means there are some apps, such as YouTube, available. While WhatsApp was also available previously, Meta recently pulled the plug due to the OS’ low popularity compared to Android. That said, there are certain third-party clients to run X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit alongside a bunch of games inspired by retro classics.

There's a specific app designed for shorts, which might seem like a potential trigger for a relapse. However, the scrolling experience is frustratingly slow and awkward due to the non-touch interface and the small square screen. As a result, you might find it more appealing to forgo watching shorts altogether rather than succumb to the addiction.

It comes equipped with both LTE and Wi-Fi capabilities.

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One of the reasons I have hesitated to switch to a feature phone is the absence of fast internet access. Although I make an effort to be mindful of my technology usage — even if I don't always achieve that goal — it's something I prioritize. Nonetheless, having high-speed internet is essential for maintaining my peace of mind.

I believe that having fast internet is essential for maintaining good technological practices. Just like you can't achieve good health by merely reducing your food intake; you also need to focus on clean eating. In the same way, while fast internet can lead to distractions like doomscrolling, it is crucial for satisfying our genuine thirst for knowledge.

By providing LTE access (specifically, LTE Advanced, the latest iteration of the technology) along with dual-band Wi-Fi, Blackview enables you to explore the vastness of the internet without limitations. Additionally, the Wi-Fi feature allows you to utilize the phone even without an active SIM card, which is perfect if you — similar to me — plan to use it as a detox device rather than your primary phone.

The charging dock is incredibly satisfying.

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To ensure that the Blackview feature phone is protected from water, dust, sand, and other corrosive elements, all access points, including the USB-C port located at the bottom, are equipped with removable flaps. This design effectively safeguards the internal components; however, removing the flap and positioning it just right to insert the USB connector can be somewhat cumbersome. This may pose a particular challenge for the intended user demographic of seniors, who might find it especially tricky.

Fast charging is absent, and with a maximum output of just 10W, it may evoke frustrating memories of the days when feature phones reigned supreme. However, the 3,300mAh battery is indeed bigger than what you'd find in those older devices. Consequently, charging it fully can take several hours, and keeping the device plugged in—unless you're intentionally trying to take a break from it—can become quite tedious.

These challenges are usually not a concern as Blackview has introduced a more convenient way to charge the device. Included in the package is a charging cradle, reminiscent of cordless landline phones. You can effortlessly place the phone in the cradle when it's not in use, allowing it to charge during that time.

An alternative to "smart" phones

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There has been a surge in technologies that pull us away from the overwhelming and uninterrupted flow of nudges our phones bless us with. While I’m not against being enamored by your phone (I feel that is inescapable in this age), not having your phone constantly buzz is a privilege that the Blackview blessed me with.

Another reason I find the feature phone useful is that it lets me break away from the deluge of online trackers always at work to serve me with personalized ads and reinforce my bubble, surrounding me with the theoretical dead internet. In the AI age, the tracking and analysis of your persona is only rising, and the opportunity (and the responsibility) to defend ourselves — or at least take a break — lies with us.

Even if you don’t believe — or prefer not to drown yourself in — the grim contentions, $90 (at the Blackview official store) on a detox phone can prove to be a worthwhile investment.