I hear it every time I talk about “entering safe mode.”

“Drew, I want to smash my iPhone. I want to buy a flip phone. I want to reclaim my brain. But…I can’t lose my Spotify playlists.”

It is the single biggest barrier to entry for the Slow Tech movement. We have spent a decade curating our Discover Weekly, building gym playlists, and saving podcasts. The idea of going back to MP3s feels like moving from a Tesla to a horse and buggy.

The problem is that most “true” dumbphones (like the Light Phone II or Punkt MP02) view streaming music as a distraction to be removed. They want you to own your music files. Noble? Yes. Practical for a dad who needs the “Disney Hits” playlist to calm a toddler in a traffic jam? No.

If you need Spotify but hate the scroll, you need a “Transition Phone.” These are devices that run Android (so they can run the app) but have hardware so restrictive that you won’t want to watch TikTok on them.

Here are the three best options available right now that bridge the gap and keep your digital well-being in check.

1. The Rugged Classic: Cat S22 Flip

This phone is a tank. Released back in 2021, it has become a cult classic in the dumbphone community because it is cheap, durable, and runs Android Go (a lite version of Android).

It looks like something a construction worker would use to call in a cement truck. But flip it open, and you have a touchscreen and a physical keypad.

• The Spotify Experience: Surprisingly good. You download the full Spotify app from the Play Store. You can control playback with the touchscreen or the physical buttons. It connects to Bluetooth headphones instantly.
• The “Anti-Scroll” Factor: The screen is small (2.8 inches) and low resolution. Could you watch YouTube on it? Technically, yes. Will you want to? Absolutely not. It is miserable for video, which is exactly the point.

The Specs

• Price: ~$65 – $80 (Renewed/New on Amazon/eBay)
• OS: Android 11 (Go Edition)
• Headphone Jack: No (USB-C adapter needed)

Pros:

• Dirt Cheap: You can find these for the price of a PS5 game.
• Physical Buttons: There is something deeply satisfying about snapping it shut to end a call.
• App Support: It runs Google Maps, Uber, and WhatsApp if you need them.

Cons:

• Bulky: It is thick. It will create a bulge in your pocket.
• Battery Life: Mediocre. You’ll need to charge it every night, unlike old-school Nokias.
• Glitchy Keypad: The T9 typing can sometimes double-register presses.

2. The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: Xiaomi Qin F21 Pro

If the Cat S22 is a tank, the Qin F21 Pro is a sleek minimalist remote. It looks like a classic “candy bar” phone from 2005, but inside, it is running full Android.

It was originally designed for students in China to prevent gaming addiction, but the western market has adopted it as the ultimate “iPod replacement.”

• The Spotify Experience: It feels like using an old iPod Nano. The screen is tall and thin, perfect for scrolling through a list of songs, but terrible for Instagram.
• The “Anti-Scroll” Factor: It has no touch keyboard (usually), so you have to type using T9 keys. This makes searching for a song easy, but getting into a Twitter argument impossible.

The Specs

• Price: ~$110 – $140
• OS: Android 11
• Headphone Jack: No (USB-C)

Pros:

• Form Factor: It is tiny, light, and disappears in your pocket.
• Screen: Crisp and bright, much better than the Cat S22.
• IR Blaster: Randomly, it has an infrared blaster so you can use it as a TV remote.

Cons:

• Setup Difficulty: These are imported from China. You need to be careful to buy a “Global Version” with the Google Play Store pre-installed, or you’ll be hacking it for hours.
• Privacy: It is a budget Chinese device. I wouldn’t do my banking on it.
• Fragile: It feels like it would crack if dropped on concrete.

3. The Tiny Smartphone: Unihertz Jelly Star

Okay, I’m cheating. This isn’t a dumbphone. It is a fully functional smartphone that has been hit with a shrink ray. It is the size of a credit card.

I include it because for many people, the Cat S22 is too clunky and the Qin is too hard to set up. The Jelly Star just works.

• The Spotify Experience: Flawless. It runs the latest Android, has a headphone jack (yes!), and decent storage.
• The “Anti-Scroll” Factor: While you can install TikTok or Instagram, the 3-inch screen is so small that your thumb covers half the content. You will get bored of scrolling within 3 minutes. It physically limits your consumption.

The Specs

• Price: ~$200
• OS: Android 13
• Headphone Jack: Yes (A rarity!)

Pros:

• Performance: It is fast. No lag when opening maps or apps.
• The Light: It has a weird LED “glyph” light on the back that pulses with music. It’s a gimmick, but a fun one.
• Connectivity: Works on almost all US networks (Verizon/T-Mobile/AT&T) without headache.

Cons:

• It’s Still a Smartphone: If you have zero self-control, you can still doomscroll on this. It just requires squinting.
• Battery: Tiny phone = tiny battery. Heavy Spotify use will kill it by 5 PM.

The Verdict

If you want the true friction of a dumbphone but need your tunes, get the Cat S22 Flip. It is cheap, durable, and so annoying to use for social media that you will naturally stop trying.

If you want something that feels like a piece of modern tech (and you’re willing to tinker), get the Qin F21 Pro.

Additional Spotify Phones

If you’re still hungry for more options beyond these three, honorable mentions go to the Nokia 6300 4G and the Wisephone II—solid Spotify slingers for varying wallets and whims. The Nokia 6300 4G, clocking in at around $70, runs on KaiOS and lets you snag Spotify straight from its app store (or hack it via the web player if you’re feeling retro), making it a budget beast for basic tunes without the bloat; it’s got a classic candy-bar vibe, supports YouTube for those quick video fixes, and doubles as a WiFi hotspot, but keep in mind it’s more finicky on Verizon—stick to AT&T or T-Mobile for smooth sailing in the US. On the pricier side, the Wisephone II (about $300+) masquerades as a minimalist smartphone with its custom WiseOS Tool Drawer, where you can whitelist Spotify alongside maps and rideshares, all while locking down distractions like a digital bouncer; it’s unlocked for Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and beyond, offering premium perks like a sharp camera and biometric security for folks who want “just enough” without going full caveman. Whichever way you lean, if you’re stateside, double-check carrier compatibility—nothing kills the vibe like a phone that ghosts your network.

Just remember: The goal isn’t to find a phone that does nothing. It’s to find a phone that does just enough. Here are the phones that work with Spotify.

(Note: The Light Phone III is currently shipping, but as of this writing, it still does not support Spotify natively. If you buy that, you’re back to MP3s.)