USA TODAY International Edition
Do flip phones still work? What to know about old school tech
What goes around, comes around. Popularized in the late ’ 90s and early ’ 00s, clamshell “flip phones” were trendy for their compact design – a fraction of the size of chunky “brick” phones a few years earlier – and offered satisfying closure when you hung up a call.
But flip phones weren’t ideal for texting as you had to press a key up to three times to land on the letter you want, not to mention super- small screens. And if you were lucky to own a flip phone with a camera, photos were grainy or pixelated.
Feature- rich smartphones – like the iPhone in 2007 and Android devices starting in 2008 – quickly stole market share from flip phones and other cellphones ( including “candy bar”- shaped devices).
Fast forward to 2023, and despite its limitations, this retro tech seems to be a fascination among Gen Z.
Why are we back to flip phones?
Thanks to many high- profile TikTok personalities talking about flip phones, the hashtag # bringbackflipphones has more than 25 million views on the social media platform, along with other related and trending hashtags, such as # y2kaesthetic.
The craze could be linked initially to Sammy Palazzolo (@ skzzolno), who says flip phones aren’t just about retro kitsch, but the 18- year- old college freshman believes our reliance on smartphones could have a negative effect on young users, and trading them for a simpler flip phone when going out with friends leads to a better and less stressful night.
While sales data isn’t yet available, Google tells USA TODAY searches for “flip phone” increased by more than 140% over the past five years.
Even young entertainers, such as 25year- old Cuban- born Camila Cabello, posted this to her 13 million followers on Twitter: “I’m team flip phone revolution. Maybe I can write the theme song guys”
“It started with Samsung’s flip phone and has been a big hit in South Korea,” says Tim Bajarin, a veteran technology analyst and chairman of the San Jose, California- based market research firm Creative Strategies, in an interview with USA TODAY. “Then it started showing up in TikTok videos, which got the attention of Gen Z, a demographic not familiar with the flip phones of the 1990s, and they began searching for those models.”
Bajarin says flip phones seem “like a fad for this generation at this moment,” however social media’s interest in flip phones could eventually have an impact on new smartphone designs, “if it shows a real demand for them.”
Gen Z TikTokers have also posted about other retro tech, including film cameras ( and instant print cameras), turntables, cassette players and arcade machines.
How much is a flip phone?
There are a couple of options for buying a flip phone.
Resist buying an old flip phone – say, on eBay – as this vintage tech may not work after most major carriers shut down 3G service last year.
Like Sammy K, you can spend between $ 20 and $ 50 for a new flip phone, with some of the higher- end models featuring “modern” conveniences like Bluetooth connectivity and a better camera with flash.
Or you can opt for a modern twist on the classic flip phone design, which will cost as much as a smartphone.
Starting at $ 889, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 has an innovative OLED screen that folds in half.
When closed, this 5G- enabled flip phone is small enough to slip into your jeans or clutch purse, and with a 1.9- inch Cover Screen to view notifications and messages on the outside, and integrated Samsung Pay to buy something at retail by waving the device over a contactless terminal.
When you want more real estate, however, perhaps to view a TikTok video, play a game, read an ebook or browse the web, the Z Flip4 opens to reveal a 6.7- inch Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display, with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
Or fold it halfway for hands- free video calling, propped up in an “L” shape, to place on a table or desk.
The waterproof Android- powered phone also features twin 12- megapixel cameras ( plus 10- megapixel selfie camera), fast wireless charging and several colors.