While dumb phones are still a niche product, we’re seeing a notable uptick in their sales. A growing number of customers are using them to disconnect from the online world, encourage children to lower their screen time, and avoid the many security and privacy issues associated with smartphones.

If you’re among them, this guide will show you how a secure dumb phone keeps your data safe. You’ll then see concise reviews of popular options to jump-start your search for the best one.

Are Dumb Phones More Secure Than Smartphones?

By default, dumb phones offer more security and privacy than smartphones because of a minimal attack surface. They don’t suffer from the major pitfalls tied to smartphones, including:

• • Extensive tracking by OS providers
• • Malicious third-party apps
• • Social engineering attacks (e.g., phishing)

While you may not get the many security features smartphones offer (VPNs, advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, etc.), dumb phones eliminate the reason we need such features in the first place. They’re limited to some basic functionalities, so the risk of your data leaking is minimal.

That said, not all dumb phones offer the same level of protection. The attack surface directly corresponds to your chosen option’s feature set, so you should choose your daily driver wisely.

Most Secure Dumb Phone: 5 Options Reviewed

While quite a few dumb phones have surfaced over the years, the following options are particularly popular:

1. 1. Punkt. MP02
2. 1. Mudita Pure
3. 1. Light Phone III
4. 1. Nokia 2760 Flip
5. 1. Easyfone Prime A6

Below, you’ll see what makes these devices stand out, as well as their key features and pricing.

1. Punkt. MP02

The Punkt. MP02 is a simple phone designed to provide basic functionalities while still ensuring that users can stay connected—but only when they need to. Unlike phones that completely eliminate Internet connectivity, the MP02 offers wireless tethering you can use to connect a tablet or laptop to the web.

The device doesn’t offer Internet browsing itself—it only comes with key tools, such as:

• • Calling and texting
• • Calendar
• • Alarm
• • Voice memo

It doesn’t have a camera, so it’s only focused on communication and essential utilities without any extras.

Speaking of communication, the MP02 uses Pigeon to encrypt calls and texts. The solution leverages the Signal protocol to encrypt the contents and metadata of all communication without storing any personal data, giving users complete privacy and security.

For added convenience and security, Pigeon offers several useful features:

• • Group conversations
• • Encrypted chat backups
• • Self-destructing messages

You can get the MP02 for $299, which isn’t cheap but might be justifiable if you’re looking for simplicity with some advanced security features.

2. Mudita Pure

Mudita Pure is a minimalist phone focused entirely on simplicity. You’ll notice this as soon as you look at the screen, which features e-ink technology and is reminiscent of a Kindle screen.

Like many competitors, the Mudita Pure doesn’t have a camera or Internet browser. It also runs a proprietary open-source OS (MuditaOS) with no support for external apps. You only get the pre-installed tools, including:

• • Calls and SMS
• • Music player
• • Offline e-book reader
• • Utilities (calculator, timer, etc.)

The lack of support for external apps is intentional and ensures security and privacy. The same goes for a lack of wireless connectivity (besides Bluetooth), which ensures no third-party apps or trackers can run in the background.

A standout feature of the Murdita Pure is a toggle slider that lets you choose between three modes:

1. 1. Connected
2. 1. Do Not Disturb
3. 1. Offline

All modes are customizable, so you can whitelist certain functionalities and contacts to allow notifications in Do Not Disturb or Offline profiles.

MuditaOS further supports security by ensuring all updates are digitally signed. This means nobody can alter them and potentially install malware.

Mudita Pure costs $369, though it’s sold out as of this writing. You should still be able to find it through resellers.

3. Light Phone III

Light Phone III is the successor of the widely popular Light Phone II, which retains the predecessor's key features while fixing its shortcomings. Instead of the ink screen found in the Light Phone II, it comes with a 3.92-inch matte OLED display with vertical touchscreen navigation.

For a dumb phone, the Light Phone III offers some impressive specs, such as:

• • Qualcomm SM 4450 (which is quite fast for a limited-feature phone)
• • 50MP back camera with a dedicated shutter button
• • 8MP front camera
• • 6 GB RAM and 128 MB storage

Unlike many competitors, the Light Phone III has a fingerprint sensor, which supports its overall security. It also runs a minimalistic LightOS that comes with apps like:

• • Music/podcast player
• • Calendar
• • Notes
• • Directions (alternative to Google/Apple Maps)

While the phone does connect to the Internet and allows tethering, it doesn’t have a web browser, email client, or other online tools. There’s also no app store or sideloading, though Light Phone plans on expanding the available tools and features.

Light Phone III is currently available for pre-order at $699. The price puts it in the premium category as far as dumb phones go, so think about whether the extra functionalities justify it.

4. Nokia 2760 Flip

Nokia 2760 Flip can be a solid choice if you need an affordable dumb phone with slightly expanded functionalities. It comes with a 2.8” main screen and a front 1.77” display suited for basic tasks like checking the time or notifications.

The device runs KaiOS 3.1, so there are no ties with Google’s services that would threaten the user’s privacy or security. Still, you can download Google’s apps through the KaiStore if you want, which is an option you don’t get with most competitors. The OS is locked down to approved apps, so there’s little to no risk of malicious software.

Another advantage is that you get a web browser. It’s minimal and doesn’t allow for advanced surfing, which lets you stay connected without spending too much time online.

Other notable features include:

• • Hearing-aid compatibility (M4/T4)
• • Bluetooth 5.0
• • Removable battery (1450 mAh—up to 19 days of standby time)

Nokia 2760 Flip retails for only $39.99, which makes it one of the most cost-effective solutions. While it’s not the most secure phone on our list, it does offer more flexibility at a fraction of the price you’d pay for some competing devices.

5. Easyfone Prime A6

Easyfone Prime A6 is designed specifically for seniors, who reported more cyber attacks than any age group in 2023. It’s a standard bar-type phone with basic features focused on communication and everyday use.

The device doesn’t have Internet access or a camera—you only get a few basic apps and tools in the NucleusOS ecosystem, including:

• • Alarm clock
• • FM radio
• • MP3 player
• • Calendar
• • Calculator

The phone’s standalone feature tailored to seniors is a dedicated SOS button. When pressed, it triggers an audio alert and sends a message to up to five emergency contacts.

You can get the Easyfone Prime A6 for $71.99, which is a reasonable price for a dumb phone. It’s not the cheapest option on our list, but feature availability should justify the price.

Due to its simplicity and lack of Internet access, Easyfone Prime A6 is quite safe from cyberattacks by default. As with most other options, the biggest danger stems from network-level attacks.

Security Limitations of Dumb Phones

By removing Google services, third-party apps, and even Internet access as a whole, dumb phones significantly reduce the vulnerabilities that malicious parties could exploit—but they don’t remove them altogether.

You still need to share data through calls and texts, which are largely unsecured due to the lackluster security measures of most carriers. Capable hackers can execute various network-related attacks, such as SIM swaps or SS7 attacks.

Unfortunately, these issues apply to all commercial telcos, which have suffered numerous data breaches due to their reliance on weak security protocols. Worse yet, they’re not always the victim—carriers routinely engage in activities like:

• • Collecting extensive user data
• • Sharing data with partners for marketing purposes
• • Directly selling user data to third parties

The truth is that you don’t have to give up your smartphone to take your privacy seriously. If you want better security than a dumb phone without losing modern convenience, switch to a mobile carrier that actually respects your privacy—like Cape.

Cape: Robust Security for Every User

Cape is America’s privacy-first cell phone service that helps avoid the key security vulnerabilities of big telcos and gives users full control of their data.

Unlike big telcos, Cape collects and stores minimal data. The idea behind this is that data can’t be lost or stolen if it was never collected in the first place, which uplevels privacy and security.

All traffic is funneled through Cape’s mobile core, which gives Cape more control over how data is collected and what security measures are taken. The network is fully cloud-based, so there’s no vulnerable legacy architecture for malicious parties to exploit. Instead, private information is shielded by several features, most notably:

Complete Security, Outstanding Connectivity

Cape has the largest network density in the U.S., so its many security features don’t sacrifice network performance. You can enjoy superb network connectivity, even in the more remote locations across the country.

You can leverage this connectivity without limitations because Cape offers unlimited calls, texts, and 4G/5G data. You also get free international roaming for eligible devices and locations.

All of this, alongside Cape’s security measures, is available for $99 per month. The price includes all applicable taxes and fees, so there are no hidden costs.

Protect Your Device, Data, and Identity With Cape

Thanks to Cape’s strong SIM swap protection and other security features, you can effortlessly prevent network-level attacks aimed at stealing personal data. To enjoy such peace of mind, you can do the following:

1. 1. Verify your eligibility on the website
2. 1. Download the Cape mobile app from the Play Store/App Store
3. 1. Choose a new number or port in your existing number
4. 1. Save your unique 24-word passphrase
5. 1. Download and activate your eSIM

While you might not use your dumb phone for browsing or other online activities, you should protect other devices like tablets and laptops. To help you do so, Cape partnered with Proton as one of the leaders in online security. When you create a Cape account, you can get Proton Unlimited or Proton VPN Plus for only $1 for six months.