Samsung releases new "dumb phone' to help you curb your social media addiction

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social.media.addiction.1

Samsung has built a smartphone for users who want to disconnect from the internet.

Called the Galaxy J2 Pro, it has similar specs and design of one of Samsung's high-end smartphones, but it can't run apps or connect to the web.

So don't try using this 'dumb phone' to Google something or check Facebook.

Samsung says the J2 Pro is aimed at helping students regain their focus in the classroom, instead of constantly getting distracted by sending their friends Snapchats and sharing memes on Instagram.

The firm is even issuing a limited time discount for buyers aged 18 to 21 who want to get their hands on the device, which has a price tag of 199,199 won or $186 (£130).

Even though the J2 Pro is billed as a budget device, it still has some fairly decent specs.

The device comes in black or gold and has a 5-inch qHD super AMOLED display, a quad-core processor, 1.5gb of RAM and a microSD card slot.

It even has a 5 megapixel front-facing camera and an eight megapixel camera on the back, which means you can take pretty decent photos with the phone -- despite not being able to share them on your favorite social media apps.

Even without internet connectivity, users can still make phone calls, send messages and use apps that don't require the web to function, such as dictionary or calculator apps.

Samsung says the phone's limited functionality should also make it an appealing device for seniors who aren't quite ready to own a tricked out smartphone like the iPhone X.

The J2 Pro could also be useful for parents who want to limit their kids' access to the internet.

It's unclear whether Samsung plans to make the J2 Pro available beyond Korea and in the US or other countries.

However, Samsung isn't the only firm that's taking a crack at designing a dumb phone.

Brooklyn-based startup Light released an ultra-minimalist Light Phone 2 earlier this year that can send text messages, make phone calls and serve as an alarm clock.

Like its predecessor, the Light Phone 2 doesn't connect to social media, email or news websites.

Its creators say the Light Phone is a 'phone for humans' and is a device that 'actually respects you.'

'By allowing you to leave behind your smartphone, it encourages you to spend quality time doing the things you love the most, free of distraction,' according to Light, the company behind the phone.

'We call this 'going light,' they added.

The original Light Phone, which could only make phone calls, launched on Kickstarter in 2015. It was purchased by about 10,000 people, according to the company.

More features may be added to the Light Phone 2 in the future, such as directions, ride-sharing, music playlists, weather, a calculator, dictionary and the ability to make voice commands.

The company noted that it will never add features like email, news, advertising or social media to the device.

-Dailymail