Wisephone 2: The Ultimate "Dumb" Phone? (2025 Review)
The Wisephone 2 is a smart minimalist phone that launched last summer. It is a healthy phone that’s free of clutter and distractions. It’s a great alternative to the Light Phone and old-school feature phones.

In this post, we’ll break down exactly what makes the Wisephone 2 stand out and whether it’s the right fit for you.
Let’s dive in.
In this post
What is the Wisephone 2
The Wisephone 2 is a phone designed to cut out distractions and help you get your life back. Techless, the company that makes it, calls it the World's Healthiest Smartphone.
It’s built on a Samsung A15, but what makes it special is its custom operating system. There’s no email, no browser, and no social media apps. On the homescreen, there are no icons and no colors. Just clean lines of text on a plain off-white background.
This clever design turns your phone into a proper tool rather than a constant source of distraction, similar to other ideas we’ve shared for living more intentionally with technology.
The Wisephone 2 costs $399 ($354 with discount code WHATIFIDIDNT).
When you start using the Wisephone, you’ll notice a few changes, like relying on calls and texts instead of email or app-based messaging. It’s a small adjustment, but one that helps you build healthier habits and regain control over your time.
It is a Samsung A15 5G with a custom operating system called Wise OS.
Quick Specs:
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Price: $399
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Size: 160.1mm x 76.8mm x 8.4mm
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Memory: 128GB w/ 6GB Ram + MicroSD slot
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Camera: 50MP
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Charging port: USB-C
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Headphone jack: Yes
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Availability: U.S. only
Wise OS: the Minimalist Operating System
The Wisephone doesn’t use icons like your standard smartphone. Instead, it uses text.
Icons and colors are addictive. They are designed to pull your attention. Text doesn’t have this effect, meaning you can be more intentional about how you use your phone, ie., what apps you open and when.
Plus, it looks so clean.

Apps: What can the Wisephone do (and not do)?
On the Wisephone, "apps" are "tools", and the app store is called the Tool Drawer.
You won’t find Instagram, Amazon, or Gmail in the Tool Drawer. Techless is intentional about filtering out distracting and addictive apps. Wise OS was designed to provide a healthy phone experience. According to Techless, these apps aren't.
What other apps will you not find on a Wisephone? Here's a non-exhaustive list.
- ❌ Browsers (Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
- ❌ AI (ChatGPT, Claud, Gemini)
- ❌ Email (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail)
- ❌ Video Streaming (Netflix, YouTube, Hulu)
- ❌ Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
- ❌ E-commerce (Amazon, eBay, Etsy)
- ❌ Dating (Tinder, Bumble, Hinge)
- ❌ Gaming (Candy Crush, Royal Match, Roblox)
If you prefer, you can check out the full list of apps available in the Tool Drawer.
Don’t see your favorite apps here? You can request them from your Wisephone’s settings or via this form.
The Techless team reviews every single request manually. They vet each app per the Healthy Tech Index. If it passes, it gets added. That’s why you’ll find niche apps in the Tool Drawer, like GuitarTuna or Lake Michigan Credit Union.

The Camera app on the Wisephone 2
The Healthy Tech Index
How does Techless decide which apps belong on the Wisephone? They rely on their proprietary system, the Healthy Tech Index—a set of 10 criteria that evaluate an app's overall "healthiness."
Apps that score poorly on the Healthy Tech Index, such as social media apps, aren’t included in the Tool Drawer.
Techless has already reviewed and added many popular apps. But if there's an app you use that isn't in the Tool Drawer, you can request Techless to review and potentially add it by filling out this form.
- Competes with or try to set the user’s core values and priorities?
- Encourages an unhealthy focus on success, appearance, or materialism?
- Promotes content that encourages disrespect or trivializes important societal beliefs or principles?
- Hinders the user’s ability to rest and maintain a healthy digital life balance?
- Encourages disrespect for family relationships and societal structures?
- Glorifies violence, hatred, or harm to others?
- Exposes the user to inappropriate content or tempts them towards harmful behavior?
- Encourages dishonesty, cheating, or unethical practices?
- Encourages spreading misinformation or engaging in harmful gossip?
- Fosters envy or dissatisfaction with the user’s life?
I like that Techless acts as a guardian of online privacy and mental clarity. They do the research most of us don't bother with, like reading Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policies.

The Tool Drawer
Pricing: how much does the Wisephone 2 cost?
The Wisephone costs $399 (or $354 when you use coupon code whatifididnt) and there's an additional subscription you can get to unlock more features. More on that in a moment.
Out of the box, you get the Basic Experience.
You’ll be able to make phone calls, send and receive texts, and use the camera. This is the ultimate Dumb Phone experience. You will have a smartphone that's beautiful, works fast, and is distraction-free.
Some of you may prefer a bit more functionality. For that, you'll have to pay a $14.99/month subscription. This will give you access to more apps.
With the subscription, you get access to the phone's Essential Tools. These include Music, a Calendar, a Calculator, a Voice Recorder, Notes, and Two-Factor Authentication.
Plus, you unlock the Tool Drawer, ie. Techless's proprietary app store. The Tool Drawer has 300+ third-party apps like WhatsApp, Cash App, Spotify, and many more.
Why the subscription? Here's from Techless:
“Unlike typical smartphone features, the subscription isn’t just about providing tools—it’s about delivering robust security, a distraction-free environment, and access to a carefully curated selection of vetted third-party apps. The Essential Toolset and optional Custom Tool Drawer run on top of our advanced safety framework. “
How does the Wisephone work: Essential vs Expanded Experience
When you first power on your Wisephone 2, you'll need to choose between two modes: Essential Experience or Expanded Experience. (You can switch modes later if you change your mind.)
Initially, I wondered if the Expanded Experience was a paid add-on. It's not. Both modes are included in the $14.99/month subscription.
Your choice depends on personal preference and how you plan to use the phone.
The Essential Experience
In this mode, you get access to the default apps along with a handful of third-party apps. But you cannot install other third-party apps from the Tool Drawer.
Apps in the Essential Experience: Music, Calculator, Maps, Phone, Messages, Camera, Flashlight, Photos, Clock, Notes, Two-Factor Auth, Calendar, LocalSend, SmartSwitch, Waze, Google Drive, and Life360.
This mode is ideal for children and the elderly who don't need "smart" features. It's also perfect for anyone who gets easily distracted and wants a simpler, more minimal phone experience.
The Expanded Experience
In this mode, you can access the Tool Drawer and install third-party apps like Uber, Venmo, and Airbnb (full list here).
This mode is great if you need more functionality for your everyday life.
For more information and tutorials on setting up your Wisephone 2, check out the company’s support page.

The Settings app - clean and minimalist, too.
Carrier Plans and Cellular Coverage
You can use the Wisephone 2 with your carrier or use one of Techless’s cellular plans. All plans allow you to keep your current phone number.
Techless offers 3 plans. All plans include the Techless subscription.
1. Minimal: $24.99/month
- 1GB of data
- Unlimited Calling & Texting
2. Healthy: $44.00/month
- 5GB of data
- Unlimited Calling & Texting
3. Pro: $69.99/month
- 50GB
- Unlimited Calling & Texting
- Mobile Hotspot
Get your Wisephone 2 today
The Wisephone 2 is exclusively available at wisephone.com. Get yours today and save $45 with promo code WHATIFIDIDNT.
Let's do thisBottom line: Who's the Wisephone For?
The Wisephone 2 is designed for anyone craving a simpler, more intentional way to use their phone—free from unnecessary distractions. It’s practical, straightforward, and fits beautifully into different lifestyles:
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For digital wellbeing: If you’re tired of spending too much time glued to your phone, constantly distracted, or struggling to stay focused, the Wisephone 2 helps you regain control. It gives you what you need and cuts out what you don’t.
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For kids: It’s a great option for children who need a phone to stay in touch, without the constant pull of social media, games, or endless apps. Just enough functionality to stay connected—nothing more.
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For mums: Whether you’re managing a busy household or juggling work and family life, the Wisephone 2 keeps you reachable without pulling you into the endless cycle of notifications and scrolling.
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For the elderly: Its simplicity makes it a perfect choice for older relatives. It’s easy to use and doesn’t overwhelm them with unnecessary features, while still helping them stay connected.
It’s a phone that focuses on what really matters—connection, not distraction.
The Wisephone 2 isn’t for everyone. If you rely on your phone for constant access to email, web browsing, and content discovery, this probably won’t suit your needs. It’s built for simplicity, not for tech enthusiasts or people looking for the latest high-end smartphone experience.

FAQ
Can you import contacts and photos from another phone?
Yes! There's a comprehensive guide on Techless's website on how to import photos and contacts from both iOS and Android.
Can you track a Wisephone
Yes. The Wisephone 2 comes with Life360, a GPS app that allows users to share their location with someone else.
Techless has also been working on a new tool called the Family Portal. With it, you can keep track of someone’s calls, texts, and location history.
There are plenty of practical use cases for this. Whether you're getting the phone for a relative with dementia or a teenager, you'll be able to know at any given time that they're safe.
This feature is still developmental (i.e., imperfect) but already available on the Wisephone 2.
What is the return policy for Wisephone?
You can return the Wisephone within 14 days of receiving it, as long as it is in "pristine" condition.
Is the Wisephone available in my country?
Right now, the Wisephone is available in the United States only. But Techless has plans to expand internationally, hopefully in 2025 (Canada, Europe, Australia).