I think there’s good reason to wind back smartphones too. Finding some way to keep the good utility and stripping out the evil attention sucking parts.
I recommend it. I have been what I call "phone-lite" for a few years now. It lives in my sock drawer, and I only take it out if I know I'll need it for GPS when traveling. For the most part, my mobile computing is entirely done through my Daylight Computer tablet, which as a wifi-only e-paper device, I find to be minimally attention sucking.
There are numerous new projects like the Clicks Communicator and the Minimal 2 that are trying to strike that balance