People say this but most of them didn't really make many contemporary set films prior to smart phones either.

With Scorsese for instance in the 90s, he made 2 films thst were contemporary set, Cape Fear and Brigingout the dead, and 4 period pieces, Goodfellas, Casino, Age of Innocence and Kundun. Idlly enough hosn200s best picture winner includes a in-pocket T9 texting scene!