Retro smartphone accessories are trending, but ‘untethering’ isn’t for everyone
Retro smartphone accessories that mimic landline handsets are gaining popularity as some users seek to distance themselves from constant digital connectivity. However, researchers note that the design of modern smartphones makes true 'untethering' difficult for most people.
Why it matters
This trend reflects a growing cultural desire for digital wellness and a critique of the 'always-on' nature of modern mobile technology.
Westend61/Getty Images Retro smartphone accessories are trending, but ‘untethering’ isn’t for everyone Published: August 17, 2026 7:53pm EDT https://theconversation.com/retro-smartphone-accessories-are-trending-but-untethering-isnt-for-everyone-288733 https://theconversation.com/retro-smartphone-accessories-are-trending-but-untethering-isnt-for-everyone-288733 Link copied Share article Share article
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There’s a gadget doing well in Australian online stores at the moment that retrofits a smartphone into a landline.
You plug a coiled, corded handset into the charging port, and the smartphone is suddenly attached to a clunky plastic receiver you hold to your ear, cord dangling, the way phones worked before they became small and mobile enough to fit in a pocket. It costs about A$20, and appears to be a retro novelty accessory.
What looks like a quirky fad may be a reflection of something deeper that I’ve been observing in my research on smartphone use in recent years.
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