Style Bluetooth Phone with WhatsApp Support Crosses ₹1 Crore in Sales in Just 3 Days

New York | In an era dominated by smartphones and mounting concerns over screen addiction, a U.S.-based tech entrepreneur has turned nostalgia into a breakout innovation. Cat Goetze, founder of Physical Phones — known online as CatGPT — has created a retro landline-style phone that connects to smartphones via Bluetooth and receives internet-based calls from WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Instagram.
The unusual blend of vintage design and modern connectivity has resonated strongly with digital minimalists. Within just three days of launch, the product crossed ₹1 crore in sales, a rare feat for a hardware startup.
A Modern Idea Rooted in Old-School Simplicity
Speaking to CNBC Make It, Goetze said the idea was born out of personal struggle with excessive smartphone use.
“I missed the simplicity of old landlines — the physical ring, the coiled cord, real conversations without constant notifications,” she said.
When she couldn’t find a landline that worked with a mobile number, Goetze decided to build one herself — retrofitting a classic rotary-style handset with Bluetooth, while deliberately avoiding the addition of a screen.
“I turned a vintage phone into a smart device,” she said, “without turning it into another distraction.”
That concept eventually became Physical Phones, a startup focused on tech wellness rather than tech maximalism.
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WhatsApp, FaceTime, Instagram — Without Looking at the Screen
The device pairs with both iPhones and Android phones via Bluetooth. Unlike traditional cordless phones, it rings not only for normal calls but also for internet-based calls.
Supported services include:
WhatsApp audio calls
FaceTime calls
Instagram audio calls
When a call comes in, the sound is routed directly to the retro handset, allowing users to answer without picking up or unlocking their smartphone.
According to Goetze, this feature addresses a growing demand for tools that enable connectivity without constant screen engagement.
“This isn’t anti-technology,” she said. “It’s about taking back control.”
₹1 Crore in 3 Days, ₹2.5 Crore by October
When the product launched online in July 2025, Goetze expected modest interest.
“I thought maybe 15–20 pre-orders,” she said.
Instead, the product went viral. Thousands of orders came in almost immediately.
Key figures:
₹1 crore+ sales in 3 days
₹2.5 crore+ total revenue by October 2025
Over 3,000 units sold
Price range: ₹8,000–₹9,800 per unit
Physical Phones has since partnered with a manufacturing firm, with the first mass-produced batch scheduled to ship in December 2025.
A Tool for Focused Work and Digital Balance
The retro phone has found strong adoption among:
Professionals seeking fewer workplace distractions
Creators and remote workers
Individuals consciously practicing “tech-distance”
Users remain reachable for important calls while avoiding the reflex of checking emails, social media, or notifications.
Tech analysts see the product as part of the growing digital minimalism movement.
“One signal stands out,” an analyst noted.
“Simplicity has become a luxury in the smartphone era.”
More Than a Gadget: A Statement on Slow Tech
Beyond sales figures, Goetze’s device has sparked broader conversations around mental wellness, attention economy, and intentional technology use.
As AI, AR, and hyperconnectivity continue to accelerate, the Physical Phone represents an alternative philosophy — one where technology supports presence instead of fragmenting it.
“My goal isn’t to pull people away from tech,” Goetze said.
“It’s to help people use it deliberately — so we stay in control.”
With its mix of retro aesthetics, modern integration, and emotional appeal, the Physical Phone has become not just a device, but a cultural signal — a reminder that innovation doesn’t always mean more screens.