Using a Z Flip 5 as a minimalist phone

[@TheVerge]

Big new year's resolution energy here. What are y’all trying to do?

[@unknown1859]

Uninstall all social media

[@supratimsaha3783]

staying away from mindless scrolls on youtube shorts and linkedin. :D

[@ak_hoops]

See more videos from Becca!

[@daverizz]

Happy New Year Becca! Glad you're feeling better about content creation. And this Z Flip 5 video was interesting. A unique perspective! And I downloaded minimalist phone, and I'm gonna try it! Also, my New Years resolution is to get a new job (I edit video & content creation 😉) and have it be a job that allows me to work remote, (or at least hybrid) and pay me what I'm worth. (working in higher-ed for the last 12 years, and it can be tough on the wallet at times)

[@mral6809]

Flip 2 user and I love the folded size. I always flip my phone to read but music control or notifications then the phone stays closed.

[@brahmy8503]

These videos are so good. We need more Becca content in 2024. She’s so incredibly knowledgeable and grounded in her perspective.

[@budrager]

For sure Beccas videos are super helpful

[@muhammadirfaniqbal7025]

No we dont

[@ennayanne]

​@muhammadirfaniqbal7025 why not?

[@peterpumpkinpatch]

I loveee Becca

[@MCMXCDX]

@@ennayanne he was just working through some cognitive dissonance, hopefully now realizes its ok to admit liking the videos he watches!

[@jeremyude]

I just spent my entire day binge-watching KZbin videos and ho-ly do I feel terrible. This video is a great wake-up call to focus on what's happening around me again, because I'm too often one of those people staring into their phone screen. Have a wonderful year everyone and thank you for the consistent quality content you're putting out at The Verge.

[@unknown.020]

Had the same problem and it drastically helped to turn off youtube recommendations. My youtube homescreen is completely empty and I can only watch videos, if I search for them or click on my subscriptions. KZbin shorts is disabled as well.

[@NotUwU-_-]

30 minute of phone scrolling are equal to 6 hours of real life socializing

[@itsalexclark]

Ooo. I like that launcher that displays how much time you’ve been on the app next to it. I feel like that visual cue would prevent me from opening apps. If only they had that feature on iOS.

[@emadadnan0]

Which launcher ?

[@TheHallamski]

Samsung's oneui

[@sagarmandhani]

​@@emadadnan0Indistract Launcher on Android

[@Antenox]

​​@@TheHallamskiNo, the monochrome one. Indistract Minimalist Launcher

[@pishmerchant]

Yeah I was gonna say android has a widget that displays your screen time. Maybe I should put that right in front on my home screen lol!

[@labmeeting]

I've had the Flip 5 from launch. Got it for the exact same reasons, found the same frustrations, and seriously love it overall. I would only add that the uniqueness of the phone is surprisingly satisfying, and watching videos in flex mode is more convenient than expected when I'm mostly just listening while doing other things. Great video Becca, happy 2024!

[@markojokanovic349]

This is by far the most unusual yet brilliant way of controlling your screen time. Great video

[@jolness1]

Becca’s enthusiasm is infectious. I love the videos she makes so much.

[@WaterlessWine]

conclusion: we need small phones again

[@zemlanin]

6:23 On iOS, you can add multiple Siri Suggestions widgets to a Home Screen. Apps in widgets don’t (seem to) duplicate after applying the change, so it’ll basically shuffle everything quite frequently

[@GraDays]

I always love how Becca is still able after tons of gorgeous videos to give us techies new perspectives. Great content, great on screen.

[@KorbensBum]

I like this. I had a Samsung fold and it was great except I was always on my phablet. I've moved to a very capable Samsung S8 Ultra with the s23 phone. I'm still at a loss though. I want a smaller phone but I dont want to give up the camera or battery life. I go out exploring on my bike and could be out all day. When I return to camp I can view / edit my content on my tablet. I think there are a lot of people in a similar position that want their phone to have: 1) good camera 2) great battery life 3) be a tether for other devices like tablets, watches, drones etc 4) be non intrusive. 5) provide more control over what we see and when we see it.

[@gusbur]

@BeccaFarsace, I couldn't find iOS developer features that could shuffle the position of all your Apps... But you could try rearranging apps like this, everyday: 1. Hold one app to start jiggling 2. Move the app slightly to a different position 3. While holding this app, with another finger, tap other apps you want to move 4. It will create a stack off apps that you can drop anywhere 😉It's much faster to move and it "kind of shuffles" your home screen. Great tip, btw, already did on mine! Congrats on great content!!

[@JayRodge]

The gratitude at the end :)

[@RafaelRoden2024]

Maybe the Motorola razr+ would have been the better device to try to do this with as well as allowing yourself to use the full screen for a camera. Just a thought.

[@m2n900]

you have one + ? I've been doing the same on my razr 5g 2021.. And love it... Specially because I can do it one had.... But... It's only half screen of the + .... So I've been thinking to get one.... If you have one.... How's the experience ? It's my idea or it is a little bigger than the 2021 ? Is not uncomfortable... ?

[@samsicles_jr]

one of the best ‘content creators’ imo, appreciate the self reflection at the end

[@reyhanpradantyo]

I found what actually kept me away from my phone was use a smartwatch! I have a 12 mini which is already a small screen with not so good battery life, and I use an apple watch se which relieves that fomo anxiety from receiving important notifications. But instead of opening up a notification on my phone and get sucked in and scroll endlessly, I just glance down at my watch and most of the time it's not even an urgent notification so I get on with my day immediately. For this reason alone I find it so tough to go back and wear analog watches from my collection lol

[@farzadjahanfard]

This is equal of I will buy a 5-seater car, but I won't let anyone get in the car for a month and pretend it's a motorbike. What is the point :D

[@markgreenwood7487]

I'm only here for Becca content. It's always informative, so keep it coming!

[@lienmathieulien329]

Nice video. Maybe one day small phone will come back in fashion, who knows. I know many people including me, buying a 350 dollars iPhone SE4 (whithout top and bottom black bars) / or a less tall iphone Mini, almost a "square screen" that could solve this issue of being a slave to our phone. Maybe...

[@hackthis02]

I was the same way, the thing that finally got me to lower my social media intake was simply to disable notifications. It's a slow burn but I'd have one busy day and wouldn't check my phone and with no notifications to draw me in, so I'd only check the apps when I remembered, Not when they told me too. As the days/weeks went on it was less and less till now I only really check them in the morning and maybe late at night.

[@Johnny_Sunshine]

This does help a lot. I disabled most notifications except for the most important ones (messages or emails) and that did wonder for I actually do with my screentime

[@KorbensBum]

Yep but this should be easier to do. I spend a lot of time setting up permissions and blocking different apps notifications. Maybe Samsung could set up a notifications group policy?

[@mikeb7117]

Turn the phone off, go for a walk. Nothing is so important that it can't wait. We can survive just fine without being constantly connected.

[@ronaldcy]

"Try another phone for using less of phone" - This doesn't sound anything reasonable to me except - An advertisement !! THANK YOU SAMSUNG FOR SPONSOR THIS VIDEO,

[@JJCamacho0208]

I have an idea for an experiment 🤔 I was thinking mostly about disconnecting while still being able to keep up with most of your app usage. I'll try to elaborate, bear with me... Downloading the things you need rather than you using the app itself and getting lost in mindless scrolling. For example: Downloading articles, videos you want to watch from your favorite media source, (Netflix, hulu, KZbin, Paramount+, Prime Video, etc.) playing offline games, and so forth. You do this with two devices, one in airplane mode, and the other with limits on all other apps that are not important, like the phone app, messages, email, WhatsApp, etc. So you can maintain communication but rely less on social media for entertainment or media consumption. Then just tells us what you find. 😁 Do like the whole nine yards, stats, observations, personal experiences, you know, the works 😂

[@lizzam]

As an Android user, the app drawer actually could reduce my app use time by just removing it from the homescreens. The habit is still there, but greatly reduced. Perhaps having the need to open the phone, open the drawer, search for the app and then start to doomscroll, would add another friction layer, but it's an additional cost to downgrade. I would rather add a 7-pin requirement to open any of those doomscrolling apps.

[@deRykcihC]

yeah using app drawer is a good suggestion, the fact that you can't see notifications count after the first thing you get into the phone really reduce the urge to click in. Another way is to use iOS with blank home page and only using their app drawer, cuz their app drawer is so messy a lot of people is bothered to even go in, and iOS notification center is so messy that for me I don't even go to read them.

[@lizzam]

@@deRykcihC iOS has an app drawer?

[@AlexAndrade_axllive]

Loved the video and the tips! Lovely message ❤❤❤

[@PaulLembo]

Becca, you are one of the only voices that makes the Verge worth checking. You and Deiter were my big two. I don't think I'm unusual in that regard! Keep at it, here or on your own.

[@wonchoi1564]

Did becoming a Green Bubble contribute to using the phone less?

[@CK-ec8kz]

How did you end getting 100th place? Quite literally dead last place (Fortnite)

[@BeccaFarsace]

lmaooo not my best!

[@ljpuk]

iPhone 13 mini for this reason

[@ReavoEnd]

Great vid! FWIW, Razr Plus solves all those weird "why not this?" behaviors you were annoyed by on the Z Flip 5. Something I do to keep things intentional is remove all the non-essential apps from my home screen. I have a gesture assigned to the search function of my launcher, so I need to type the name of most apps I want to launch. If I can't remember the name in the moment? Moving on.

[@billtang79]

No offence but already at 1:33 becca says she needs to set some rules. Regardless of which smartphone you use, whether IPhone, Pixel, flip phones, they are all the same. It requires rules to be set and discipline to stick to the rules. After all you can potentially hide almost all apps from the screen of any phone so only relegating the apps launcher to the apps drawer. (Yes, even iPhones can hide apps from screen) So no offense, this is kinda not useful.

[@ajmrs]

I love Becca so much, I want to be her friend lol. She is so good at what she does. Much love for her work.

[@manaspawar3749]

This was such a fun video. Great video Becca. I've set up screen time of half hr for insta and I've noticed myself feeling a lot better already. Damn it'd be nice if it was possible to just not be addicted to your phone but this device is made to be addictive so we need learn self control anyways great concept. I think I prefer the motorolla flip phone (but I'm aware it takes noticably worse photos).

[@adudeinthetube1950]

Try Assistive access in iPhone

[@scavenger6607]

Dear Becca, its time to share your music playlist.

[@BeccaFarsace]

👀👀

[@wimi017]

The theme and script of this video make me think about the nothing phone 2, and like, this is a good chance to revisit that phone ( I know it's not the usual in this channel doing those kind of videos ) see how software has mature to this point since launch and how can help you out with that goal, looking forward for more Becca video's with this kind of editorial, is really great (just as all the content) happy new year everyone!

[@MattSwain1]

I make use of focus modes on iPhone. I have different apps on my home screen for each focus mode which I have switch automatically by time or location. It still requires discipline on my part because the hidden apps are still on my phone but when I’m at work the social media apps are hidden (for example)

[@adambenk0]

I have bought AW U2 and I put my phone somewhere out of reach and out of sight. Since I am connected to the wifi with the watch all the time, I dont need to carry my phone 90% of the time during the day so it is not tempting me to use it. This helped me to reduce my daily average screen on time to 2h and 30m on my phone. Something similar to your solution. Another thing, I switched to smaller phone, 15 pro because the Max version was just so tempting to use just because of how good everything looked on the bigger screen.

[@davidg1906]

Maybe you should try the Motorola Razr+? Software might be better and it has a nice size outside screen,

[@NourMoghrabi]

We can do that in smart watches example. Samsung watches then you not have to use your phone much

[@NathanBudd]

I wanted to do this! I want my OG HTC Magic size screen, but modern day internals. It felt great in the hand, but the screen would be too small to look at a lot.

[@michaelbuckenmeyer4996]

Over the past year or so I’ve been trying to be mindful of this. I removed social media apps from my phone (other than KZbin, which does get some Shorts attention a couple times a day) and exclusively use them on desktop which are way less addicting and rewarding. I notice how sucked in everyone is on their phones frequently. I try to remind myself that sometimes, like me, people are using them for work, navigation, etc, but I also recognize that a lot of it is mindless social media scrolling. Feels bad man.

[@bzboy01]

Great little piece, made me think how I am truly controlled by my phone! Thats strange saying (writing) it loud! I enjoy watching all your video pieces and think that you do a great job reviewing cameras and enjoy watching you talk about photography and taking pictures! Will continue to watch whatever content you make in 2024 (now). Happy New Year ….

[@davidemarcello5700]

Focus mode on iOS. You can create a Custom Focus and customise the home screen of it. You can also decide which apps are allowed to send you notification for each Custom Focus

[@rezaardiansyah1034]

a samsung galaxy video on the verge channel? that's weird 🙄🙄

[@datvu6]

I use focus mode on my iPhone, set the wallpaper to black, silent notifications, choose only essential apps and rearrange them to different location from my regular mode.

[@f1ggyc]

I feel like this might also work well with a super-small regular, phone, that are non-folding so more durable and much cheaper. There are a few that exist but the clear standout is the Unihertz Jelly Star, it's a 3" 16:9 screen though, so really even smaller than the Z Flip and even more of a pain to type on. And I will admit the software support is lacking vs a Samsung - I wish major manufacturers did small phones again!

[@robertopontone]

Have you considered to be just more disciplined? 💕🤔

[@wonderowl530]

it never bugged me but i’d really appreciate if we could have Becca’s pronounce shown on the intro, i’ve been pretty sure and even researched her website but i am getting more and more confused these days…

[@BeccaFarsace]

great idea! i use she/her

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

Just change your launcher. Only allow messaging apps, calling apps, and the calendar apps alert you.

[@thecunninlynguist]

oh man, I've been doing it since I got the flip 5, and looked up what can be done w/ the front screen. Only time I've really flipped it, is when the apps only work in full screen mode.

[@ljacobs357]

Same with me. I use the cover screen about 70% of the time.

[@Dr.S3psis]

As someone whose phone has been switched off for a while now. The thing that allowed me to do this was an apple watch with cellular on it. AND more importantly the will power to steer clear of using that thing. None of the apps or screen times work if your will power doesnt.

[@Jarvis2077]

I also have the feeling you stated. I decided to reduce my phone time to 3 hours daily from previous 6 sInce the 1st. What I noticed is I get sad and quite annoyed when I see my friends on their phones all the time. I'm not trying to judge but "keep your phone down it's not that bad IRL". 😅

[@HarmonicaVasquez]

Been doing it with the latest entry moto razer and it has been pretty good at helping with the overwhelming feelings from a slate style smart phone.

[@m2n900]

you have one + ? I've been doing the same on my razr 5g 2021.. And love it... Specially because I can do it one had.... But... It's only half screen of the + .... So I've been thinking to get one.... If you have one.... How's the experience ? It's my idea or it is a little bigger than the 2021 ? Is not uncomfortable to do it one hand.. ? Thanks

[@kizanko]

I think a good idea to see your messages or whats covered by the key keyboard is if they have a button you long press on the keyboard so it lowers its opacity till its not visible and when you let go it's back. It's much better than the keyboard pushing the messages up and down, and disorienting your view. And maybe by holding the button if you move your finger up and down it will scroll up and down. And if you move left or right, the cursor will move through the letters or something.

[@marcozg77]

I hardly unfold my z flip 5. That's why I bought it, modern smartphones are so big and clunky, and I don't use any of these "Tiktuk" and "Instagramm" thingys. Btw you CAN switch bluetooth on the cover screen: just add the settings app to the apps page. You will then be prompted with a selection dialog. Same is true for other things like opening a pdf: it used to work, then stopped to work. But it still works as long you link the google files app to your cover screen, the same is for mp3 files I try to open from inside the dropbox app.

[@ppj845]

That’s the reason I still use and will keep using 13 mini. Just a bit less appealing to spend too much time on it

[@mdribblecastle]

Just uninstall the apps and only use social media on your Mac or iPad when you want.

[@surokoida]

It's a good topic to make a video about. But tbh. It's also pointless. Deleting social media, setting limits, customizing your Homescreen so only the essentials are on it can all be done on her main smartphone. Don't know why the Z Flip 5 was used for this but uhhh..I guess just because? Becca shows some ways how to do this stuff, customization,widgets etc. but in the end it feels like the Z Flip 5 needs to be involved because...idk, it's the most recent device? Tha Samsung event is coming up?

[@lxtsang]

For iPhones on iOS 17 you can turn into assistive access which changes how iOS works and you can limit what apps you can use. It makes apps a bit uglier but that’s fine for me

[@seancarter51]

I’m so invested in the goddamn ecosystem of apple that now i really wish Apple made a flip phone like the z flip 5. The only reason i stay in this apple world is because of Facetime, iMessage and Apple TV 4k(because let’s face it no other TvOs is as good and fluid and ad-free as AppleTvOs)

[@ByrdNick]

My take-away: Samsung’s flip phones isn’t yet good minimalist phones. Thanks for the info!

[@NicholasHo]

I'm literally just watching this video and comment using my small screen on my samsung flip 5😅

[@Psychphuq]

Some of the foibles you mentioned of the Flip 5 don't exist on Moto RAZR Ultra... Maybe Samsung did it on purpose to limit you, mabe RAZR is more thoughtful... 🤷🏼‍♂

[@TheGrifhinx]

Majority of the setbacks appear to be software-based, so I think it's just a matter of time before Samsung starts to address them The Gboard could be a little different, because that is potentially rooted in politics

[@maximusg88]

A bit of an artificial setup and a bit inconsistent throughout the story telling... Not having self-control to wait until the end of a timeout - but having the self-control not to open the phone to do essential things? Also, using a phone's notification outside screen not to be distracted - but then complain that it doesn't have all the features?

[@greysonlee665]

Im a phone minimalist mostly, if im in the house im on my tablet People who complain bout battery and such its like how long were u on your phone Small front screen doesnt bother me and i love that i can do most things from front screen which saves battery

[@hulabula5338]

ok so you want to use a flip phone to be minimalist and then you pick the z flip 5 and not the razr plus?? on that phone you can literally use any app on the cover screen, I doubt verge did not have it for you

[@sa2005]

When is becky channel coming??!!

[@OmegaWolf747]

I love my flippy. However, some apps just don't work properly on the cover screen, such as not scrolling down. C'mon, Sammy! 😮

[@jschaibly]

Ever tried a Samsung watch instead of a flip phone. In reality, you can more on a smartwatch. Also, dex will help keep your phone closed

[@buenokitty3497]

As a person that suffers from severe battery anxiety i wish she would have let us know about the geekier things like how much battery she had left at end of day lol

[@JoseRamirez-q8d]

Do anybody want to accept Jesus christ as your savior he want to give you love and peace and happiness and joy and salvation and eternal life of u confess your sin he want to give you love and peace and happiness and joy and salvation and eternal life of u confess your sin

[@jsonlee01]

Becca! First of all congrats on the Emmy. Second. Why did I learn about this from Vjeran’s video?

[@TheVerge]

Vjeran here! We've been very active on our Shorts/IG/TikTok so we did a little announcement there when it happened. 😌 (and thanks for watching both videos 🙏)

[@OmarLivesUnderSpace]

I can't express enough how stupid it is to use Air Pods with a Samsung device when they have the Buds Pro series and so many more

[@celwise]

Great video, love the feel of it... she's awesome... good awareness for our addiction... lol

[@jamman7344]

Using a phone less? It's a fast paced world. It's an irrelevant concept. Especially if you have a business

[@jaybloo4560]

Should give nothing phone a go, if you are looking for minimalism. Its literally the company's whole niche

[@metaforically]

"The best part about a small screen is you can do all of the things." What? How is this the best part? 😐

[@salvasalda]

Fortnite is too hard tho, they don't have a proper respawn immediately adhd gamer mode (i.e. team deathmatch)

[@disco_bard]

That sign off - all the good feels - yay Becca

[@muditmathur8375]

Watching this video while trying to reduce my screen time

[@josermonteirods]

Before my a54 5g I had an iPhone SE 2020 and I used to use my phone less with the tiny screen

[@omaribtesam]

gboard not working on the front screen is Huge. the suggestions tile is so crucial for saving time.

[@prashantkompella5372]

Great video! your videos have always been a fab to watch.

[@Zaguzah]

What an interesting experiment, Becca!

[@hkad6252]

Never was on social media, I don‘t even get what people do when they ‚scroll‘.

[@Miiferrei]

You should have tried the Moto Razr, as it allows you to do a lot more things with it closed

[@juanvisbalco]

Have you guys thought of trying this experiment with the RAZR Ultra?

[@evindrews]

intentional is my word of the year. I'm tired of wasting hours and hours scrolling, because it's easier then making any choice at all.

[@xredrum41x]

Imagine years of flip phone and making big strides to finally have one screen phones only to go back, hilarious. Samsung is probably going to bring back the rotary phone and call it new tech.

[@LazerB.]

It's hilarious, but remember it's still a new tech. Before flip phones didn't fold the actual screen...

[@tenshi6293]

some of the issues mentioned might be able to be changed with the developers features mode at settings

[@przemkoart]

I want to do the same. But always star flip up screen😂

[@MMPK]

I will still stand by its not the phone that is addictive its the apps

[@Slurkz]

As always, great video, Rebecca! 💜 Thanks bunches.

[@tamouracrockett1566]

I'm finna buy i got the flip 3 that's old the price is good on Amazon

[@BohdanTrotsenko]

mental higiene goes far beyond doom scrolling, but that's a good start congrats maybe set lesswrong as your default homepage in addition to your advice: at least on samsungs it's possible to make screen black-and-white browsing social networks in not as fun in b&w, but maybe that can help (feels like a decade ago) I literally uninstalled instagram to have an artificial barrier big enough these days instagram and FB have notfications off on my devices

[@kennethshupe8946]

have someone you trust set the screen time password on your iphone. it helps me a lot.

[@der.turbanator]

Try same thongs woth motorola. I think they do it better

[@zenithquasar9623]

One thing I cannot recommend enough for people - turn your notifications off or just limit to messages or something. Please do not use apps with their default notification settings! I never understand how people can actually have bandwith for it anyway. It helps with intentionality. You go to the app when you want/need. Not when it pushes its contents to you.