The best thing about the early 2000s is back, and it's not the Jonas Brothers

Alex Conte was at Sup Dogs last year when he pulled out his flip phone and was given free food by the bar — plus getting featured on the restaurant's Snapchat.

Some students at UNC are opting to use flip phones instead of more modern devices, and for Conte, his decision to use a LG Cosmos 2was made out of personal responsibility.

“I don’t have to worry about having $1,000 in my pocket at all times,” Conte said. “It’s a lot easier to have $18, $15, and when it drops — it’s fine — instead of when it drops you have to worry about your screen shattering or whatever.” 

Conte said other factors influenced his decision to switch, including potentially having his phone stolen. Some students, though, get a flip phone to escape the vices of social media and the online world.

Jack Morningstar is another student at UNC who uses an LG flip phone, and he was inspired to give up his iPhone during a lecture on Jean-Jacques Rousseau in his Modern Political Thought class.

“During lecture Dr. Spinner-Halev was talking about how Rousseau anticipated how the human race was superficial and we have a deep yearning to be talked about, and how everything we do isn’t really genuine,” Morningstar said. 

Morningstar said he plans to use his flip phone for at least a couple of more months, but there are certain inconveniences that come with his current cellular device. 

“We were rushing Franklin; I was taking pictures with my flip phone,” Morningstar said. “People will generally laugh at you.”

On a national scale, people are drawn to using flip phones because of the increased privacy they offer over more advanced technology.

Gary Kayye, a professor in the UNC School of Media and Journalism who specializes in technology and branding, said he thinks one reason someone would use a flip phone would be to prevent companies from gathering information about them. 

“In addition (to) not tracking your usage of the phone, they are not tracked directly to you, so I think nationally that’s a pretty common reason to use flip phones,” Kayye said. 

Most modern phones are equipped with the capabilities to surf the internet and use an array of apps, but a flip phone typically has a more limited capacity. 

“When you’re using something not as a phone, the phone functionality of it isn’t as important,” Kayye said. “With a flip phone, it’s the only thing it does.”

Despite this, Conte said his friends back in D.C. have started viewing their iPhones as a hindrance. A cultural shift may occur as the price of smartphones continues to increase while their capability remains relatively stagnant. 

Morningstar and others who have the made the transition don’t regret their choice; some even cite social benefits rather than feeling disconnected due to their decision. 

“Normally your automatic crutch is to go for your phone and scroll through Instagram or Facebook” Morningstar said. “And now I’m forced to restart conversations — I’m more of a person.”

One of the most successful investors in the world, Warren Buffett, prefers a flip phone. Other prominent figures feel similar: Lindsey Graham exclusively used a flip phone until just a few years ago.

The benefits of privacy, price and productivity are present — and people might not flip to modern technology anytime soon.

“It’s been a little bit frustrating, but overall it’s been more liberating,” Morningstar said.

@aaronjsugarman

arts@dailytarheel.com