What is a simple phone?
The term ‘simple phone’ (often referred to as a brick phone) refers to a phone which can call and text, but doesn't provide internet access to the user.
Increasingly, schools also specify no camera phones, to reduce safeguarding risks for both pupils and teachers.
Many schools define their own criteria or list of acceptable phones, however school policies tend to distinguish simple phones as those which do not enable a child to use internet enabled apps such as browsers, social media or group messaging, and no camera. A simple phone could be a feature phone (a 'brick' phone) combined with a no-data SIM card, for example.
Below you can find:
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Phone models which appear in school policies
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School policies which give examples
Gold rated simple phones
Gold rated simple phones are phones built without access to browsers, social media or cameras. They look different from a smartphone, which helps teachers and communities to identify them as safer phones for children. They are 4G, which future proofs them from the 2G switch off which is being rolled out.
Please note, no money has been received from phone companies by Smartphone Free Schools Rating; ratings and reviews are given independently.
Other 4G simple phones
Below is a selection of basic phones without cameras, which work without the internet. The browsers and social media are available on some of these handsets, though they are difficult to access and largely incompatible with the handsets. However to avoid children using data with these phones, you can block the internet by pairing with a no-data SIM, find out more.
You can also see our note about avoiding counterfeits below.
Easyfone Prime A6
4G available
Find it at: Amazon, Ebay
Artfone F30 4G
4G and 2G available
Find it at: Amazon, Ebay
Nokia 105
4G and 2G available
Find it at: Argos, Currys, Very, Harvey Norman, Tesco, and selected Asda stores.
Uleway Big Button Mobile Phone
2G and 4G available
Find it at: Amazon, Ebay
HMD 105 4G
4G available
Find it at: O2, Vodafone, coming soon to Argos and selected Asda stores
2G simple phones
Please note, some networks have already switched off 2G, and all will be phasing it out over the next few years. However if your area relies on 2G and doesn't yet have 4G or 5G, these 2G phones will be helpful until your network is upgraded. Read more about network generations here.
Below is a selection of basic phones without cameras, which work without the internet. The browsers and social media are available on some of these handsets, though they are difficult to access and largely incompatible with the handsets. However to avoid children using data with these phones, you can block the internet by pairing with a no-data SIM, find out more.
Maxcom MM135L
£17
2G available
Find it at: Amazon, Ebay
Samsung E1200
£47
2G available
Find it at: Amazon, OnBuy
Oakcastle F101
£18
2G available
Amazon, via the Oakcastle website
Alcatel 10.16
£10
2G available
Find it at: Only available second hand on Ebay, but does feature in school policies
(Please note that these phones may be found in other stores as well as those listed. Stock is variable. Feel free to let us know if you have feedback about the information here: hello@smartphonefreerating.org)
Example school policies that specify phone models or types
Schools such as King Solomon Academy give permission to bring any brick phone that is not a camera/internet connected phone (see policy here). Other schools prefer to restrict to a few basic models.
Pair with a no-data SIM card
Some of the basic phones above do not have the facility for browsers or internet based apps. Even for those which do, the internet is not easily facilitated on a basic phone, due to limited usability and limited compatibility with modern websites and platforms.
However to cover all eventualities, no-data (i.e. no internet) SIM cards are available from:
ecotalk - ecotalk use the EE network (find out when networks are phasing out 2G below)
Parentshield - Parentshield use the EE Network
Asda Mobile - Asda Mobile uses the Vodaphone network
Do let us know if you hear of other available 'no data' SIM cards.
How long will 2G be available for?
Over time, new network generations ('G') replace older ones.
Network providers are switching off 2G by 2033, but some providers are beginning to phase it out earlier. (However, in areas where 4G hasn't been rolled out yet, 2G may be the best current option)
Vodaphone: 2030
Vodaphone will switch of 2G networks during 2030
EE: 2029
EE will begin closing their 2G network in 2029.
O2: 2025 - 2033
O2 have begun moving their customers away from 2G, but they won't switch it off for several years.
Three: now
Three does not have a 2G network
Other mobile phone companies use the above 4 networks to provide their services. Find out more details on this Ofcom page..
Is 3G available?
No, 3G is no longer available. See more details on this Ofcom page.
What about 4G and 5G?
4G and 5G are newer generation networks which will be around longer term than 2G. However, coverage by 4G and 5G is not yet complete across the UK, so occasionally 2G may provide better coverage in the short run.
Other useful things to know
The Nokia 105 is being phased out and replaced by HMD 105. Some stores have already transitioned and others have not yet.
Note about buying phones from networks: Mobile phone companies are banned from selling customers phones that are locked to a network. So although a network provider such as Vodafone, O2 or EE may provide a SIM card with your purchase, the phone should arrive 'unlocked' if new from a reputable retailer, and usable with any network. Note some phones may not be compatible with all SIM cards.
Online market places sometimes contain counterfeits: Some third-party sellers in online marketplaces such as Amazon and Ebay have been known to sell counterfeit phones. To ensure highest quality and correct specifications, it's best to select a reputable reseller. If you encounter a counterfeit, you can report it to the online marketplace in question.