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.
