Barbie Life Unplugged: My Feature Phone Experience

Before leaving my smartphone behind, I didn’t feel like it would be much of a problem. I’m pretty mindful of my social media use, using features like screen time limits and silencing notifications. But I love trying new things, so I jumped at HMD’s suggestion to give my smartphone a “vacay” and use the HMD Barbie Phone instead.

Reactions to having a bright pink flip phone hanging from my wrist were definitely mixed. With its mirrored screen and a plastic case that reads Barbie on the back, many people initially mistook it for a toy. HMD really nailed the design, from the vibrant pink colour to the playful icons on the home screen, including a missed call from Ken when you first turn it on! This quirky phone turned me into the most popular person in the room, drawing attention and igniting conversations wherever I went.

Interestingly, older generations were far less excited about the device. Some didn’t see the point, and others thought it was completely unnecessary. And to some extent, I get it — why would I choose to make my life harder? But what’s old tech for them is vintage for me. Didn’t rotary phones make a comeback in the noughties?

It was Friday, the weekend was here, and I felt like the main character on my walk to Kennington Station, about to showcase my newest accessory in public. Then I hit my first hurdle: the station barrier wouldn’t open. It turned out my contactless card had been blocked because of a lack of use, having relied on Apple Pay instead. After a quick dash to the cash machine to unblock my card, I was back in action.

I wasn’t discouraged by the hiccup. Relying on my own skills rather than apps to navigate through London made me feel strangely confident. Plus, it was nice to have some time to think during my commute — sometimes, boredom can be quite pleasant. And when it wasn’t, there was always Malibu Snake to keep me entertained.

However, this newfound confidence would soon be put to the test. Although I initially planned to stick with the feature phone for a few consecutive days, it became clear that wasn’t going to happen — but not for the reasons you might think. I didn’t mind being disconnected from people; in fact, I liked not being instantly reachable. And because texting wasn’t as simple, I learned what could wait for later.

It became clear that the real problem is that life is now so inconvenient without a smartphone. Simple things like making an appointment have been “simplified” by online forms. Catching public transport is unreliable without tracking it live. And black cabs are near impossible to hail, and a lot pricier than the app alternatives.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that smartphones are the enemy, keeping us from each other. But the truth is, the world has moved on, and it’s not practical to go off-grid for long. For me, the feature phone creates short pockets of mindfulness when I need to “get away” from the noise — almost like taking a mental retreat to disconnect from the constant digital buzz.

Our lives have become increasingly screen-centric. From the moment we wake up, it’s non-stop screen time — from a small phone screen on the bus, to a medium-sized laptop screen at work, then a big TV screen to unwind in the evening. It’s no wonder some cafes and bars are banning mobile phones to encourage genuine conversations. There’s something profoundly valuable about human connection without digital distractions.

Because of this desire for connection, I sometimes get nostalgic for simpler technology. I remember how badly I wanted a flip phone when I was younger. For those of us who grew up in the social media boom, revisiting simpler technology carries a unique charm, and HMD specifically markets the Barbie phone as a “real phone without social media” and with “no distracting apps”. Perhaps that’s why I found this feature phone so intriguing — it represents more than just a device; it’s a memory of a time when life felt a little less complicated.

I agree with HMD on this — leaving your smartphone behind is refreshing. Although I won’t be giving up my smartphone anytime soon, the option of a “dumb” phone feels like having a reset button in my pocket. Much like the joy Barbie dolls brought me when I was younger, the Barbie feature phone feels like a playful reminder to breathe, relax and enjoy moments as they come. Not everything needs to be shared. It’s okay to step back and enjoy life at a slower pace.