Can a dumb phone, help us be wiser?

Do you secretly wish the smart phone wasn’t invented? For me, the mere fact that I can check my email at the swipe of finger, or having the ability to fact check a “water cooler” conversation in real time makes my smart phone a necessity. I need it. It makes me smart and efficient. However, the constant notifications or the expectation that I am always available feels like a weight. I cannot miss an email or take too long to respond to a text message. I have to be “tuned in” to everything all the time. It is the ultimate paradox, and it is exhausting.

One CEO has a solution, a dumb phone which only allows calls and texts on a 5 x 2-inch device. The lack of apps, email or slack enables down time where the CEO can be present and solely focus on the task at hand. By only checking his emails 3 designated times a day, he encourages his direct reports to call him or physically find him to discuss urgent matters. The downtime, he uses to devote his attention to one issue at a time.

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/low-tech-executives-security-focus-a495f9e7

What do you think of this? Could a dumb phone cause us to use our time wisely?

Is a phone that only makes and receives phone calls a luxury that those with smaller titles cannot afford to utilize, because a smart phone enables them to react quicker?

In a smart device centered world, what dumb device are you still holding on to preserve your ability to be present?