Smartphone

retro Revival: Physical Phones Tap Into Growing Desire to Disconnect From Smartphones

New ⁢York,⁢ NY – A growing backlash against constant⁣ smartphone connectivity is fueling surprising demand for a decidedly low-tech product: the landline telephone. Physical Phones, a‍ startup founded by creator Goetze, has generated over $280,000 in sales since launching in July 2025, selling more than 3,000 ​units of its Bluetooth-connected handsets.

The idea originated from Goetze’s ‍own apartment,where a pink landline phone was used to answer the building’s​ intercom and make calls. After sharing a video of the device online, he was inundated with requests,⁤ initially anticipating only 15-20 pre-orders.Within the first three days, sales reached ‌$120,000 (approximately Rp. 1.9 billion).

Physical Phones,currently offering five models priced ⁢between $90‌ and $110,bridges the gap between smartphone functionality and the‍ tactile experience of ⁢a conventional phone. The ‌handsets connect to iPhones or Android devices via Bluetooth, ringing for incoming ⁣calls – including those from apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Instagram, and Snapchat – and transferring audio. Users can also dial numbers directly or activate their smartphone’s voice assistant for⁤ contact-specific calls.

Goetze attributes the success ⁢to a broader cultural shift. “It really felt like we captured a very⁣ rare moment of ‍luck,” he said, adding⁣ that the business ​aligns with a growing ⁢movement focused on reducing screen ⁢time and smartphone ‌dependence. He links this trend to the impact of the⁣ Covid-19 pandemic,​ which drove increased reliance ⁣on digital connection, and a subsequent ​consumer fatigue with⁣ tech company influence and ‌AI-generated content.

“Our attention spans are getting shorter. We feel more anxious. we are ⁣less present in the moment and can’t enjoy life. We are experiencing a total loneliness epidemic,” Goetze ‌stated.

Physical ⁢Phones ⁣is now partnering with an electronics ‍manufacturer to scale production, with the first shipments to customers scheduled for⁣ December.