The Punkt MP02 is a USD $349 dumbphone because of course it is

[Redaktion]

Punkt, a designer electronics company, is now taking preorders for the MP02, a basic phone running a heavily stripped down version of Android 8.1. The MP02 is meant to be used for phone calls, SMS texting, and a few basic apps like a calendar and clock. Pricing is set at USD $350, which is a steep cost to ask for such a simple phone.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/The-Punkt-MP02-is-a-USD-349-dumbphone-because-of-course-it-is.332718.0.html

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Such phones are so niche they're basically nothing more than a marketing stunt. Reason being they take "dumbphone" to an unreasonable extreme.

If they were dumbed-down smartphones that allow for certain features which became de-facto standards, such as alternative messaging apps (whatsapp, facebook messenger, etc), email, and a sub-decent camera, they'd have a real market for them outside of copy-paste reviews.

[Kelly Shields]

Saying there is no market for these phones, or that having the game Snake on the device might somehow justify the price is, in my view, missing the point.

It is impossible to find a feature phone in North America that is as well built as these phones, right down to the satisfying key-click of the perfectly shaped buttons and the durable chassis.

Make no mistake about it, this is a luxury item that most people will simply not understand. We equate high value with higher processing speeds, memory upgrades, the lack of bezels on the new iPhone; are these really luxuries?

They are making more iPhones and Galaxies, and if you have the extra money you can afford the most expensive versions of each. But you know, they aren't making more of your time. There are some of us out here that reject the infinite scrolling of timelines and the incessant programming of SnapChat's social engineers to get us to look at a screen at least 100 times more a day than is good for us.

We want essential communication; and when we must be interrupted, it's withstylish ring tones echoing nature by Norwegian sound artist, Kjetil Røst Nilsen. This is something you simply will not find in another phone.

Let's not pretend phones aren't one of our most prized possessions. They are important in our lives, so why would we have a device that treats our most valuable resource so carelessly?

This phone is declaration that we control our time, and for a few extra dollars, we support a company that respects it.

[Kyle Keeton]

You must be from Punkt! LOL - Nokia has made phones like this for ever and a day...

[Kyle Keeton]

Oops my bad! My reply is for Kelly Shields: The #2 reply...