Landline revival: 'Dumb phone' with whatsApp calling sells crores in 3 days, aids smartphone addiction

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): For people troubled by smartphone addiction and increasing screen time, a tech founder has discovered such a unique solution, which has created a stir as soon as it came into the market. This new phone, which looks like an old-fashioned landline, not only refreshes old memories, but is also equipped with modern technology. The craze for this phone is such that within just three days of its launch, phones worth crores of rupees were sold. This device has been specially designed for those who want to avoid the side effects of smartphones, but do not want to lose connectivity.

Made by a company called "Physical Phones," this phone's biggest highlight is its Bluetooth feature. While it looks like a traditional landline phone, it connects to your iPhone or Android smartphone via Bluetooth. This means you don't need to carry your smartphone with you to receive calls while at home. This phone can easily receive not only regular calls but also calls from apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime, and Instagram. The direct benefit is that users don't have to pick up their smartphone to answer a call, thereby avoiding unnecessary screen time and social media scrolling.

The brain behind this invention is Cat Goetze. Cat got the idea for this phone two years ago when she herself started getting mentally disturbed due to excessive use of smartphone. In an interview given to CNBC, she told that she wanted to return to the era of landline, but did not want to go through the hassle of getting a new number. So she modified an old landline phone and installed a Bluetooth chip in it. When she launched it in July 2025, she expected only 15 to 20 orders, but the response turned out to be much more than she had imagined.

Within just three days, more than 3,000 units of this phone were sold, with a total value estimated at approximately ₹2.5 crore (approximately $25 million USD). The phone is priced between ₹8,000 and ₹9,800 (approximately $90 million USD). According to the company, its first shipments will begin in December this year. This phone is becoming increasingly popular among professionals and young people who want to go on a "digital detox" and prioritize their peace of mind while staying at home.