French "love back to basic mobiles"

MOBILE phones have come a long way since the Nokias of the 1990s - but now an increasing number of French people are “going back to basics” and digging out their long-forgotten mobiles.

French retro phone fashion company Lëkki is making the most of the trend for vintage phones by refurbishing and revamping classic Nokia, Ericsson, or Motorola models and selling them for between €50 and €550.

The fashion for older, simpler, phones is not uniquely French. New York mayor Bill de Blasio, legendary Vogue editor Anna Wintour and pop star Rihanna have all been seen using phones from a bygone age.

Some 24million (44%) of people in France over the age of 11 now own a Smartphone, according to Mobile Marketing Association France - but this low-tech trend for is particularly popular among younger people. The company has said that 80% of its customers are under 30, while 20% are between 30 and 40 and “looking to rediscover their youth”.

The longer battery life boasted by older phones, along with the issue of data security and personal privacy have also been mentioned as a reason people are increasingly turning back the clock with their phones.

Also read: Got an old phone? You're on trend...

Photo: Clive Darra