Simple push-button phones with their antediluvian interfaces and zero functionality are following in the footsteps of mammoths - read, they are gradually dying out. But more and more advanced push-button devices are appearing, running operating systems with application support. Some of them include simpler and cheaper models, some are more expensive and more advanced, there are options with Android, and there are also ones with the still exotic KaiOS.
In 2021, a whole “zoo” of very functional push-button models appeared on sale, capable of, if not replacing a smartphone, then acting as a temporary replacement. Yes, you shouldn’t think that by buying a push-button device like this, you’ll be able to give up touchscreen devices forever. Very, very unlikely! Smart push-button devices are extremely specific devices that provide a very unique user experience. Let's dial a dozen messages on WhatsApp using the buttons! Or, for example, take a stroll through a couple of sites on a screen smaller than a matchbox. Well, or watch a video from YouTube on such a display.
And yet: a “push-button smartphone” is a useful thing. It is more difficult to break or break than a sensory apparatus. In addition, such a smart push-button device can be carried to places where a full-fledged smartphone is not allowed a mile away - we are talking about the offices of some large companies that maintain secrecy, and some government agencies.
We have found ten fresh and advanced push-button phones for you. Some are officially supplied to Russia, while other push-button phones can only be purchased on JD.com, the Chinese version of Tmall and other trading platforms. Devices for Russia function in our latitudes without problems, Chinese push-button phones will most likely have to be “finished” using instructions written by enthusiasts (primarily this concerns software). Nevertheless, they also deserve attention.
Smart push-button phones: official deliveries
Elari SafePhone (4,990 rubles)
This Android device is a pioneer in the “push-button smartphones” segment: it appeared on the Russian market at the beginning of 2017. And it is still on sale. Perhaps the main feature of the model is the GPS tracking function: using a smartphone with an installed application, you can find out the location of the SafePhone owner. Why might this be necessary? For example, if the owner is your child or an elderly relative. There is an SOS button on the back of the phone; when pressed, it emits a loud beep (to attract the attention of others) and sends messages asking for help to predefined numbers. In general, it’s like an ultra-modern grandma’s phone.
At the same time, Elari SafePhone has a camera, player, pedometer, browser and WhatsApp - in a word, a certain basic set of multimedia and communication functions. In addition, the model boasts a touch screen, which not every push-button phone running Android or KaiOS has.
Elari SafePhone review: a crazy experiment with a push-button smartphone
Nokia 8110 4G (4,990 rubles)
The modern incarnation of that same “banana from the matrix”. This push-button Nokia runs KaiOS and, unlike SafePhone, supports LTE networks. Plus can distribute mobile Internet to other gadgets via Wi-Fi, acting as a portable router. WhatsApp, again, is available, as are a number of Google services (Maps, Assistant, YouTube). This is an extremely important point - usually push-button users with Android and KaiOS, due to their Chinese origin, are not friendly with search engine services from the word “at all”. It should be remembered that the Nokia 8110 4G is controlled exclusively by buttons - the screen here is non-touch.
When it comes to design, the Nokia 8110 4G certainly doesn't make the same stunning impression as the original 8110 did back in the day. And yet, one cannot help but admit that the brainchild of HMD Global is, perhaps, one of the most unusual and interesting externally smart button operators.
Nobby 230 (1,990 rubles)
An inexpensive device running Mocor 5 – this is the name of a special version of Android, “tailored” for non-touch screens. The Nobby 230 has the following features: 2.4-inch screen, 0.3 megapixel camera, player, radio, support for 3G networks with the ability to distribute traffic via Wi-Fi, 2000 mAh battery, pre-installed Facebook and WhatsApp applications. Plus a fairly simple classic design. So you won’t immediately understand that the device is actually quite smart (decide for yourself whether this is good or bad).
And they ask for Nobby 230 only 2,000 rubles. Thus, this particular model is by far the most affordable among smart push-button phones. On the other hand, it has a little less capabilities than its analogues - for example, no options related to GPS are announced.
Is it possible to install WhatsApp on a push-button phone?
According to the latest statistics, we can say that trade in smartphones is growing by 2% per year, and push-button gadgets by 5%. It turns out that some users of buttonless devices have become saturated with social networks and are tired of being online around the clock. But it is impossible to completely abandon communication. Based on the latest facts, Nokia and Motorola have redesigned new models of push-button telephones. For example, Nokia 3310 goes on sale with a color display, full network access and support for social networks. A push-button phone with WhatsApp allows you to communicate, just like through touch devices.
Nobby 231 (price not yet announced)
Another Nobby phone with a similar design and capabilities, but running KaiOS. The battery here is smaller, 1,400 mAh, but in terms of battery life the 231 will certainly be comparable to the 230 - since KaiOS is noticeably less power-hungry than the ancient Android that underlies the Mocor 5. Otherwise, everything is similar: a 2.4-inch screen , 0.3 megapixel camera, 3G modem, Wi-Fi and so on.
Which device to choose - Android or KaiOS? There is reason to believe that you will not notice a huge difference. Nobby 231 allows you to install the same Facebook and WhatsApp clients, and in terms of user experience on a non-touch screen, these two operating systems differ little.
Senseit L250 (5,590 rubles)
One of the strangest and most unusual phones in our selection. It has a tiny 1.8-inch non-touch screen, a huge speaker on the rear panel, a 4000 mAh battery, the most powerful for such a phone, and a full-size USB port on the body - for use as an external battery for other gadgets. There are navigation capabilities (including GPS tracking) and an LTE router function. The phone runs on the Android operating system with WhatsApp pre-installed.
The L250 can also act as a webcam for a computer: the camera module is located not on the back panel, but on the top end. The developers considered that this particular arrangement is the most advantageous when connecting to a PC and conducting video conferencing.
Smart push-button phones: foreign models
#3 – BlackBerry Priv
Price: 27,900 rubles
BlackBerry Priv runs Android 5 operating system. It has a 5.43-inch screen and an 18-megapixel camera, as well as 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB storage and a 3410 mAh battery.
The BlackBerry Priv is a full-fledged smartphone, but it has a QWERTY keyboard, which many users will find very convenient. It is suitable for those people who often have to type on their phone. The case is also quite comfortable and ergonomic.
The push-button keyboard is somewhat different from the original one, you'll have to get used to it.
BlackBerry Priv
Xiaomi Qin 1s+ (about $55)
The device exists in two versions – Qin 1s and Qin 1s+. The main advantages of the second one are more memory and a more convenient navigation button. In general, Qin phones are very interesting - they have large (of course, by the standards of push-button devices) 2.8-inch screens, and a design in the style of “Chinese minimalism”, and stereo speakers, and USB Type-C ports, and LTE with Wi-Fi , and a lot of other interesting little things.
On the other hand, there are also plenty of oddities and controversial issues. For example, the devices do not have 3.5 mm connectors and cameras, and Android with the Mocor 5 shell in the case of these models does not support installing applications and does not have the services we are familiar with, including clients for social networks and instant messengers. There is GPS, but navigation is not available, and under the FM radio in the menu there is a set of Chinese Internet radio stations. In short, the Qin series models are suitable for you if you love and know how to “work with a file.”
Review of the Xiaomi Qin 1s push-button phone - the most modern push-button phone in the world
ZMI Travel Assistant Z1 (about $80)
This Android phone, also related to Xiaomi, has fewer problems with software - in particular, you won’t have to dance so long and hard to install applications. What impresses the Z1 is its powerful 5000 mAh battery. Its charge can be spent not only on the operation of the phone itself - the package includes an adapter with a USB port for charging other devices.
The screen of the ZMI Travel Assistant Z1 is quite large, 2.8 inches; The role of the interface connector is played by USB Type-C, and on the rear panel there is a 2 megapixel camera, which is quite good by the standards of such devices. It is also worth noting the very convenient interface stretched over Android - it is much more pleasing to the eye and more ergonomic than what we see in Qin. And, of course, the Z1 also has Wi-Fi and LTE.
Review of the Xiaomi ZMI Travel Assistant Z1 push-button smartphone with a 5000 mAh battery: almost perfect
Philips E518 (about $70)
Incredibly exotic for our latitudes. The fact is that in Russia simple push-button devices are sold under the Philips brand, but in China models running Android are also available. And very recent versions. All Android phones described above have firmware based on version 4.4, and the Philips E518 uses Android 8.1 Oreo Go Edition. This model also has a 2.8-inch touch screen and two cameras at once - the main one with 2 megapixels and the front one with 0.3. LTE, Wi-Fi and GPS are also available. In addition, the E518 has a body with metal elements - in particular, the insert on the rear panel is made of this material.
What are the risks of buying this phone? There is practically no community of owners of Philips Android models in Russia, which means that no one can help you with Russification, configuration and modification of the software. For comparison: there are already plenty of ZMI and Qin owners in the vastness of our country.
AGM M5
Smartphone with keypad AGM M5
