I use two phones every day.
Not because I’m a drug dealer.
Not because I’m rich.
But because I like peace.
My setup:
– iPhone 15 (for work)
– Nothing Phone 2a (for chaos)
Both are mid-range, and both are intentional. Let me explain.
Most people carry one phone. Some carry two because they think it makes them look important. I carry two phones and four SIM cards, not to flex, but to protect my peace, my productivity, and my digital boundaries. And no, I’m not running an underground operation. I’m just trying to avoid getting blindsided at 2 PM by a scammer pretending to be from “PLDT Rewards.”
My setup is simple: an iPhone 15 and a Nothing Phone 2a. Mid-range devices, because honestly, I don’t need a ₱100K flagship just to take a picture of my lunch or get an OTP password. I use the iPhone for work, it’s my command center. Everything syncs across my Apple ecosystem: MacBook Air, iPad Mini, Apple Watch (Yes! I’ve joined the Apple cult). All in Starlight, because I’m that obsessive about aesthetic consistency. The iPhone is the only device I keep near me when I’m working. Notifications are filtered. Focus Mode is on. If it pings, I know it’s important. No random distractions from promo texts or the endless parade of “Hi Sir/Ma’am, I’m a Shopee HR” messages.
The Nothing Phone? That’s my chaos manager. It’s the phone I leave in another room when I need to do deep work. No WiFi, no distractions, just a physical boundary between me and my worst impulses, aka “doom scrolling”. I use it for social media, email, OTPs, and casual photography. And if you think the camera specs matter, ask yourself, “has anyone ever commented on your megapixels?” No. They just toss a 🔥 and 🍆 emoji or a fake LOL under your post and keep scrolling. You’re lucky if they even type words. So no, I’m not buying a new phone for a better portrait mode. I’m using what works and what keeps me sane.
Now, the SIM cards. Each phone carries two: Smart and GOMO (which uses Globe’s network). Both have no-expiry data plans because I refuse to let a ₱50 top-up expire in 7 days out of spite. The reception in the Philippines is, let’s be honest, mostly garbage! But in my province, Globe tends to work better. In the city, Smart has the edge, though calling it “better” feels generous. It’s more like choosing between two exes who are both bad communicators, but one texts back slightly faster. With two SIMs each device, I can toggle based on location and still have at least one line that functions, barely.
I also segment my phone numbers like a bouncer at a private club. One number is for friends and family: the people who get instant replies. Another is for business and clients: people who pay me to care. One number is for job applications or freelance leads. And the last one? That’s my general number. I give it to couriers, banks, sketchy forms, and anyone I hope never calls me again, or that one sketchy guy who asks for your number then calls it to see if it’s working. I know my horror movies! I don’t want a stalker. This way, when I get a call, I already know what kind of conversation it’s going to be. High-value? Distraction? Spam? I don’t have to guess, I already filtered it before the ringtone hits.
People think managing multiple devices is a hassle, but what’s actually exhausting is being digitally accessible to everyone, all the time, without control. This setup isn’t about tech, it’s about boundaries. I don’t use two phones because I love charging extra gadgets. I use them because I love not being interrupted by things that don’t matter. If you’re overwhelmed by your digital life, maybe it’s not because you have too many apps; it’s because you haven’t put up any walls.
So, what about you? Are your devices helping you stay focused, or just expensive anxiety machines with OLED displays? And more importantly, what’s your wallpaper? Because that says more about you than your screen time ever will.
