A month ago, I decided to switch things up and put my SIM card into the Galaxy Z Flip 6, embarking on a long-term experiment to test the flip phone form factor. The goal? To assess the Galaxy Z Flip 6’s place in the smartphone market after the announcement of its successor, the Galaxy Z Flip 7, and to explore both its strengths and limitations. 
But, what I didn’t expect was how much this device would change my smartphone habits in ways I never anticipated.
The Good: My Doomscrolling Addiction Was Cured
For those who aren’t familiar, doomscrolling refers to the act of endlessly scrolling through negative or distressing news, or social media content, often for hours. But in today’s context, it’s become more of a general habit-scrolling through everything from funny cat videos to viral memes to ridiculous stunts. This endless scrolling is tied to our dopamine system, rewarding us with a burst of feel-good chemicals each time we find something engaging. Social media platforms know this and make it even more addictive with features like infinite scroll, which makes it incredibly easy to lose track of time.
But when I switched to the Galaxy Z Flip 6, something surprising happened. Just a couple of days into using the flip phone, I noticed my habit of checking my phone every hour, even with no notifications, started to fade. The act of flipping open the phone every time I wanted to check something made it feel like a chore rather than an automatic habit. Instead of the usual mindless scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, or Tinder (yes, I was guilty of swiping endlessly), I found myself more intentional with my phone use.
How the Galaxy Z Flip 6 Helped Break the Habit
It wasn’t just the novelty of the flip phone that helped-although that certainly played a role. The small cover screen on the Z Flip 6 proved to be a key factor. The screen is just 3.4 inches, which is tiny by modern standards. Watching videos? Not so great. Reading text? A hassle. And even just unlocking the phone from the cover screen is more of an effort than you’d expect. It’s a bit clunky, which is not necessarily a bad thing in this case. Having to open the phone every time I wanted to do something made it much harder to fall into the trap of mindless scrolling.
The limited functionality of the cover screen made the Z Flip 6 the perfect device to break my digital addiction. I wasn’t tempted to check notifications constantly because the effort involved in interacting with the phone was enough of a deterrent. This is where a flaw in the design became an unexpected feature. While the cover screen might not be perfect for multitasking, it serves as an excellent tool for breaking free from the trap of infinite scrolling.
Looking Ahead: The Galaxy Z Flip 7
With the Galaxy Z Flip 7 on the horizon, I’m curious to see if Samsung improves the cover screen. The Motorola Razr series has been ahead of the curve in terms of providing a more functional cover screen, and I’m hoping Samsung will catch up with their next model. I plan on repeating this experiment with the Z Flip 7 and the Razr Ultra to see if they offer the same benefits for smartphone detoxing.
Conclusion: Finding Balance
Before this experiment, I was considering switching to a dumb phone for a full digital detox. But, as much as I value taking a step back from constant connectivity, my work and lifestyle require me to stay somewhat plugged in. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 strikes the perfect balance for me. It offers the functionality I need while limiting the temptation for mindless scrolling. It’s a happy medium, and I don’t think I’ll be going back to traditional candy bar phones anytime soon.
So, what do you think? Have you experienced a similar shift in your smartphone habits after using a flip phone? Could these devices have a future as detox-friendly alternatives? Let me know in the comments below!