I own a 40 dollars lumia 520, 2013 entry level phone from NOKIA.

I don't have a landline (I would pay $30-40 here in Brazil for the landline alone), I spend 1 or 2 dollars a month on my prepaid cellphone (4 calls of 5 minutes every month), do not use 3G connection, only in extremely need. When I need a 3G, I pay 1 dollar, get 100MB and that is it, I use the data service less than 5 times a year!

Why smartphones are interesting? I use my completely simple entry level smartphone to: mp3 player, photos, check email, GPS with offline maps, pdf and document viewer (I already read entire books on a 4 inch screen at the bus), alarm clock and recently I am using whatsapp, an instant message app that I check 2 times a day. I just use online functions on wi-fi hotspots, and is a 24/7 offline gadget.

Why use phones? I have family and friends that still use this old communication. My mom is 60 years old and she doesnt know how to use a computer or internet. My dad rely on phone all the time. My sister always call me to pick her up at bars late night. Other than this, phone is essential to get a job and... as I dont use landline and who hires want instant availability, is quite complex to get a job without a instant contact. Phones are essential to take a cab. Phones are essential when you will meet someone or date and you wont show up (just call and cancel). There is the emergency aspect I already used 3 times in my life, after a rob, a flat tire and a car problem at the road. Without a phone and a contact list is impossible to call for help or call the cops or ambulance. Ok, it happened only 3 times in my life but I would be stuck without a phone in a road at night.

There are cons? For sure, but is a matter of self control and being able to tame the technololgy and not become a slave to it.

I just tell you what I spend in my pre paid phone in a whole year is less than what I would spend 1 month on landline. And I have the possibility to be in contact anytime, anywhere, not only at home.