Looking for dumbphone with wifi for travel or barebones smarthone.

Forums › Mobile handsets › Looking for dumbphone with wifi for travel or barebones smarthone.

yellowfr3ak

3 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#322644 8-Sep-2025 11:31

Essentially I am looking for a dumbphone for travel but has the ability to connect to wifi for calls and messaging.
A built in email application is ideal!
I suppose when I travel, buying a prepaid sim card isn't off the table so I guess wifi isn't a 100% must.
In this case a universal phone would be the biggest must.

I have been looking at quite a few but they end up not having wifi connectivity, or they simple are not available here in NZ.
I believe that an unlocked virizon phone should be able to work with Spark?
I remember talking to a guy saying that ATT was not but Virizon is a go (a hardware thing).
So an unlocked TCL Flip 2 is on my radar.

I would also consider a linux or alternative smart phone but my requirements for that are a lot more tight.
-NO 5g or easy to remove the 5g antennae
-must have an aux (headphone) jack
-NFC capable
-able to install apk packs

Finding the first 3 in combination if proving to be nearly impossible.
The Librem 5 is a good contender but that price for what I want is a touch overkill.

any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated :)
I am ready to keep doing my research.

scuwp

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#3412489 8-Sep-2025 13:53

My first question...why? Might help to know what you are trying to achieve here and why a normal phone with an e-sim (as an example) is unsuitable.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

KiwiSurfer

1722 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 993

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3412492 8-Sep-2025 14:06

I'm the same as @scuwp, why?

E.g. 5G is just a optional feature you can switch off if you really wanted to but again go backs to the same question -- why? There's literally no downside to enabling 5G. And the option to disable the 5G radio is always there.

wellygary

8810 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5287

#3412499 8-Sep-2025 14:24

What's the intended destination??

Many countries are increasingly moving to using apps to speed up CIQ procedures, - US MPC and Singapore myICA are examples,

Asteros

363 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 189

#3412501 8-Sep-2025 14:25

I agree. OP Can't you use your existing phone when travelling? Sounds like very limited usage needs. Also are you currently in NZ? Are you travelling to the US? You talk about Verizon phones which doesn't really narrow it down.

yellowfr3ak

3 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3412611 8-Sep-2025 15:22

Reply to all

Oh sure!
The why (dumbphone wise) is so that I don't have to use a sim when traveling (ideally) and just use wifi for texting and checking emails.
Again a pre-paid sim isn't totally off the table but being able to travel in essentially airplane mode via wifi is the goal. Just cheaper.

As for the smartphone side of things, it's for security/privacy.
Going for barebones, no bloatware, no constant data getting scraped and sold off.

Good to know about being able to disable the 5G, cheers :)

I am in NZ and may visit the USA, hence the dumbphone questions.

I would love for the smartphone to become my new main/home phone. No social media, just a messaging app and music.

I was talking about verizon phones due to certain models I was looking at talking about being verizon compatible with no further information.

wellygary

8810 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5287

#3412613 8-Sep-2025 15:26

TBH: Travelling with just wifi and without data is a PITA, especially if you are using things like maps and other navigation assistance,

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

KiwiSurfer

1722 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 993

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3412616 8-Sep-2025 15:29

wellygary:

TBH: Travelling with just wifi and without data is a PITA, especially if you are using things like maps and other navigation assistance,

Offline maps apps could work though -- however won't have live traffic data for driving directions nor public transport directions (which in many big cities are based on live data).

yellowfr3ak

3 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#3412617 8-Sep-2025 15:30

Yes I am very aware I am looking for an extremely limited dumbphone.
All good though, I will continue to do research on my own.

and yes, offline downloadable maps are an option.

scuwp

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#3412636 8-Sep-2025 16:08

Sorry, I still don't get it. E-sims are extremely cheap and you can get regional ones if travelling to different countries, they are super simple to swap and change though.

On a normal smart phone you can control what's on the phone and what services it uses, so you have direct control over content, but have everything available for you if you need it.

If your concern is security, public Wi-Fi is probably a bigger risk.

Offline maps won't help you if you are navigating public transport and need live info, getting an uber etc.

I don't think what you are looking for exists, simply because there is no market for it. But good luck on your search and your travels.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Goosey

3014 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 867

Subscriber

#3412797 9-Sep-2025 08:30

Nobody’s forcing you to use social media on a smart phone. You use what you want to use, delete or disable the rest (including adjusting the background updates / toggling the ability to use mobile data for each and every app installed).

michaelmurfy

meow
13579 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10910

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3412804 9-Sep-2025 08:41

I don’t understand your desire to disable 5G - it makes better use of the spectrum so if a phone supports it does it honestly matter? What you’re effectively after is a smart phone and from there it’s totally up to you what you install on it…

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Qazzy03

545 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 491

#3412843 9-Sep-2025 10:53

I agree, just get a cheap andriod smartphone with NFC and a headphone jack

Use a dummy google account that has no connection to your personal or work account. Dont load any personal apps, take some random photos. Make it look like you dont use it for anything other than basic usage .

I would also recommend making dummy social media accounts. Coworkers family has been going to the USA for school and the fathers vistor visa application was slow rolled because he didnt put down any social media accounts. The USA ask for these now and you are flagged when you dont provide any / dont say you have any.

The mother provided her Facebook details and got visa approved asap.