Comment by iggldiggl

> The problem is not smartphones per se. They are very handy. They eliminate the need to carry a thick wallet full of physical ID cards, credit cards, membership/discount cards, etc. They help you if you are lost (who even gets lost anymore, with navigation and maps in your pocket). They let you access information and entertainment wherever you are.

> The problem is the tracking and invasion of privacy, and that all traces back to ads.

The other problem is, what happens when your phone breaks? With more and more things slowly becoming app-only or mandating smartphone-based 2FA, we're slowly getting to a point where when your phone breaks, you're going to have major difficulties buying a new replacement phone in the first place.