"Simplify your life" can mean different things, to different people. Some people can simplify by getting rid of objects. To others, that definition could mean cutting mental weight from their lives. The electronics themselves are just objects - It is how people use them that is the real issue.
Nobody should rely on any one "thing" to get them out of a jam. If we put ourselves out there, we should be responsible for taking all precautions to avoid putting ourselves in bad situations. We can arm ourselves with knowledge of the area and knowledge of first aid. We can also arm ourselves with tools to get out of situations. The tools can be maps, compass, gps, phones....they are all tools. It is up to the person carrying the tools to decide what they want to carry - We will all have our own definitions of what we are willing to carry. All can be useful.
I hate phones and rarely talk on them no matter where I am. I do have a cell phone, but that is mostly so that I am available in case one of my family members has an emergency, or in case I have an emergency. Do I rely on the cell phone? Nope. I make sure to know where I am and where my bailouts points are located. There are situations where it is not an emergency that would require a medical evacuation, but a cell phone could sure line-up a ride and make life a heck of a lot less painful.
I dislocated my shoulder on the trail a couple of years ago. It's my bad shoulder and it thankfully popped back in place. I was not incapacitated, but it did hurt like.... Well, it was a painful experience. This is not a situation where I would have chosen to activate a SPOT. I knew where I was, I could walk, I knew where the next road was... I got myself to a location (in the HMW) where I knew there to be cell coverage and was able to text a friend to pick me up and give me a ride. I then hiked to the road and waited. That particular situation would have been a lot more painful if I did not have my phone with me because I would have had to hitch out of the area and figure out a way to get home. I had a couple of plans in place, but that's just me and that is how I hike - I always have a backup plan. Sure made my life a lot simpler to have the phone with me and to be able to choose when I wanted to use it. It was also a lot less stressful to know that a ride was on their way. That way I was able to concentrate on safely getting myself to the meeting spot.
To each there own.
My carrying a cell phone will in no way impact your hike, unless I find you lying unconscious on the trail and am able to call for help. That would sure make things a lot simpler for you in that situation.