This $20 ‘Phone' Helps You Scroll Without The Internet

News18

20-05-2025

Last Updated:
With its smooth, blank surface, this $20 device lets users simulate browsing without having to access any digital content.
In the US market, a startup named Methaphone has come up with a novel way to combat phone addiction: a phone that looks and feels like a real smartphone. This simple device, which costs $20 (about Rs 1700), has a smooth, blank surface that lets users simulate scrolling without having to access any digital content. This device initially gained popularity after a woman was seen reportedly scrolling on a piece of glass in a TikTok video that went viral, leading to rumours of a 'new Nokia transparent phone."
The object was later identified as a 'methaphone," a clear acrylic slab designed to resemble an iPhone and aid in the combat against phone addiction, according to Gulf News. As per reports, it is made of translucent, long-lasting acrylic that mimics the weight and design of a modern phone, providing a tactile experience for people who want to limit their screen time.
In situations where users are tempted to reach for their phone, they can use the Methaphone to imitate scrolling. It can help people progressively lessen their reliance on their phones and become more conscious of how they use them.
'My friend is the inventor and creator of this. If we're so addicted to our phones, could you reduce that dependency by giving someone something that feels like a phone, just without the tech? Something that still fits in your pocket, still feels familiar?" CatGPT, an Instagram user, clarified in a video.
'Honestly, have I used my phone less since I started carrying this around? Probably not. But it's sparked conversations, and that's what really matters," she added.
Shared on May 16, the video has garnered over 1 million views so far.
Methaphone's Fake Phone: How it Works
– Tactile sensation: Users can satiate their need to check their phones with the Methaphone's tactile sensation, which is comparable to touching a genuine smartphone.
– Anxiety Reduction: It is claimed that users of the Methaphone can overcome their compulsive screen-checking behaviour and experience less anxiety.
– Mindfulness: The device encourages users to adopt better behaviours and be more aware of how they use their phones.
By substituting a physical, screen-free experience for digital interactions, the methaphone concept encourages users to reconsider their phone usage patterns. The purpose of this psychological experiment is to get consumers to think about how they behave and how their devices affect their lives.
While some people praised the Methaphone as an innovative way to disconnect, others expressed dismay that it wasn't a truly transparent phone. The popular video has sparked discussions on digital wellness.
First Published:
May 20, 2025, 12:52 IST