Today, most smartphones come with facial recognition technology, multiple cameras, and wireless charging systems.
But in the 90s, we were much more easily impressionable; a phone was a hit if it had a camera at all.
Now it seems that these so-called "dumbphones" are coming back into fashion - due to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's plans to introduce digital identity cards for every British citizen.
Following the announcement of the so-called "Brit-Card" – a digital card that will include name, date of birth, a photo and information on citizenship and residence status – some Britons have vowed to return to retro devices.
One user wrote on X: "You can't make me have a digital ID if I have a Nokia 3210."
Another added: "There's only one way to deal with digital ID. Let's all go back to the Nokia 6210."
And a third joked: "Looks like the Nokia 402 is coming back on the menu, guys!"
The news came shortly after more than 2.5 million people signed a petition against plans for the new digital cards, calling it a "step towards mass surveillance and digital control."
The idea to return to the "dumbphone" comes from the fact that the digital ID is expected to be downloaded through a government application.
The ID will be stored securely on the smartphone itself, as is the case with contactless cards and data in the NHS App today.
Therefore, social media users have concluded that they can avoid downloading the digital ID by using a phone that cannot work with the government app.
One commenter wrote: "This is why I chose an old flip phone instead of a smartphone. I can't install apps, not even tracking apps. No digital ID."
"No Palantir digital ID for me. Better a flip phone," added another.
While another suggested: "Time to buy that dumb phone."
One user even boasted that he had already ordered a phone with no apps, WiFi, and limited internet access, to prepare for the introduction of the digital ID.
However, for those planning to abandon smartphones and avoid digital ID, Nokia's legendary "brick phones" are the most obvious option.
During the '90s, Nokia launched a series of very popular phones that, although simple by modern standards, were relatively advanced for the time.
Besides being nearly unchangeable, these were the first phones with internal antennas, text messaging, personalized sounds, and pre-installed games like Snake.
As privacy-conscious commentators began to look for alternatives to smartphones, many joked that these classic models could make a comeback.
"There's only one way to deal with digital ID. Let's all go back to the Nokia 6210," wrote one commenter.
"You can't make me have a digital ID if I have a Nokia 3210," added another.
"Looks like the Nokia 402 is back on the menu, guys!" another quipped.
However, these plans are based on a misunderstanding of how the new digital ID system will work.
Under the plans, UK residents will not be required to always carry a phone with a downloaded digital ID.
Nor can the police ask to see your digital ID, just as you cannot currently be asked to show identity beyond your name and address.
The only time a digital ID will be legally required is to verify eligibility to work in the UK, which employers are already legally required to do.
Digital ID does not change when and where UK residents must present identification; the only difference is that employers must verify digital ID instead of other valid documents.
This means that switching to a dumbphone does not change the need to carry ID or the obligation to present a digital ID when starting a new job.
For people who don't have or can't use smartphones, the government says it plans to make the new system "inclusive."
The government says it will: “Provide alternative ways to obtain digital ID for those who cannot use smartphones or need additional assistance.”
However, the technical details of this plan are still under consultation, so it is not yet clear what alternatives will be available. /GazetaExpress/
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