I want so bad to just get a light phone II, but too many parts of my life need something from a smart phone, end to end encryption on my messages (signal or other similar apps), banking apps, even my job requires a few apps. I could maybe carry both around and use the smart phone as little as possible? But seems too much of a hassle sighs

I'm at least happy to see some decent, really cheap (<$100 CAD) smart phones popping up that are competent enough to work with, but it's still such a single point of failure for so many aspects of life right now. Not even not having a phone, but a dead battery (and inability to swap it out with a backup like you used to), spontaneously breaking, losing cell service at an inopportune time to access your virtual tickets and things.

I don't mind smart phones, but the single point of failure for so much is really not good.

I personally abhor the idea of smartphones becoming increasingly more personal and necessary, especially since I live where those little black bricks are the most sought after item for thieves (thousands stolen per month). Add the chance of falls or something else making the phone unusable, the screen unresponsive, and bam, you're fucked up big time.

And let's not forget what great tools they are for spying on you without your consent.

I've heard the single most important purchase incredibly low income people can make is a phone, because without it they can't apply to new jobs or network with people because all applications are done online these days

Same goes with reading skills, which at some point weren't needed in society I bet.