What happens when nostalgia meets modern tech?
You get a retro-style landline that rings for WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Instagram calls — and explodes into a global sensation.
In a world drowning in smartphone addiction, U.S.-based tech entrepreneur Cat Goetze, founder of Physical Phones (popularly known as CatGPT), has reinvented the humble landline for the smartphone era. And her creation has struck such a deep emotional chord that it earned over ₹1 crore in just three days, and ₹2.5 crore by October.
The message is loud and clear: people are done with screen overload… and craving something simpler.
The Birth of a Modern Classic — A Landline That Rings for WhatsApp
Two years ago, Goetze realised her smartphone obsession was hijacking her peace and productivity.
“I missed the calmness of old landlines — real conversations, no notifications,” she told CNBC.
But when she couldn’t find a landline that connected to her mobile number, she built one herself. She took a vintage rotary handset, added Bluetooth capability, and turned nostalgia into innovation.
What began as a personal experiment became a booming startup — Physical Phones — and the latest icon of the digital minimalism movement.
Smart Enough for WhatsApp, FaceTime, Instagram — Simple Enough for Real Life
Unlike ordinary cordless phones, this retro handset:
●connects to any smartphone via Bluetooth
●rings for internet-based calls
●supports WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Instagram audio calls
●lets users answer without touching their screen
No apps. No swiping. No doomscrolling.
Just a satisfying ring-ring and a familiar handset.
“It’s not anti-tech,” Goetze says. “It’s pro-focus.”
₹1 Crore in 3 Days — and a Global Fan Base
When Goetze launched the product online in July 2025, she expected no more than 20 orders.
Instead, the product went viral — thousands of orders arrived in hours.
By Day 3: Rs 1 crore in revenue
By October: Rs 2.5 crore
Total units sold: 3,000+, priced between Rs 8,000–Rs 9,800.
The company quickly partnered with a manufacturing firm, with the first batch shipping in December 2025.
“It felt like we bottled lightning,” Goetze said.
Why Everyone Wants One — From CEOs to Students
Professionals love it because it helps them:
●stay reachable
●without checking their phone every few minutes
●and without losing focus at work
Digital minimalists love it because it reduces screen time without reducing connectivity.
Tech analysts say it’s more than a gadget — it’s a cultural reset.
“This phone proves that in 2025, simplicity is luxury,” one analyst said.
A Symbol of Calm in a Hyperconnected World
As AI, AR, and constant notifications reshape human behaviour, Goetze’s creation stands out as a reminder:
Sometimes the future needs a bit of the past.
“My goal is to help people use technology mindfully,” she says.
“So we stay the masters of our tools, not their slaves.”
With its vintage charm and cutting-edge connectivity, the Physical Phone isn’t just a device…
It’s the new icon of digital balance.
