Best Flip Phones

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 22, 2024
If you need a good emergency phone and don't mind getting back to the basics, a flip phone is a great offering for you. Made in ultra-durable ...Read more
PROS

This small phone boasts 8 GB of internal storage (4.3 GB available for users) which you can further expand up to 32 GB with a microSD card.

CONS

The sound quality could be better. 

OUR VERDICT

The Kyocera E4710 DuraXE is an ultra-rugged phone that is made in accordance with the Military Standard 810G. So, if you're looking for a durable phone for your adventurous trips, this one will definitely fit the bill.

detailed parameters
Display

Internal: 2.6” QVGA TFT (240 x 320)

External: 1.08” Mono-color LCD

OS

Android-based OS (without app store)

Sim-card

1 slot for SIM card (AT&T)

Camera

5 MP main camera

Battery

1500 mah

Interfaces

3.5mm stereo headphone jack, MicroUSB port, MicroSD slot

Dimensions

4.21" x 2.22" x 0.99"

Warranty

1 year

PROS

Dual microphone with noise cancellation technology allows interlocutors to clearly hear your voice even with strong winds or other surrounding noise. 

CONS

Some users dislike it has no 4G support.

OUR VERDICT

If you need a no-frills, heavy-duty phone from a reliable brand, the Convoy 4 ruggedized flip phone by Samsung is what you need. Even in harsh conditions, it'll let you make calls and send basic texts.

detailed parameters
Display

Internal: 2.4” QVGA TFT (240 x 320)

External: 1.3” TFT

OS

BMP 1.0.4

Sim-card

No SIM card required (activates with Verizon)

Camera

5 MP main camera

Battery

1300 mah

Interfaces

3.5mm stereo headphone jack, MicroUSB port, MicroSD slot

Dimensions

4.26" x 2.18" x 0.93"

Warranty

1 year

PROS

Designed with seniors in mind, the Jitterbug Flip has an easy-to-use interface and very big buttons with “yes” and “no” keys that guide you through every function.

CONS

The memory allows you to store 200 contacts max.

OUR VERDICT

The Jitterbug 4043SJ6RED is not a simple flip phone but a useable safety device with health services. It can help seniors maintain independence, while staying in touch with their family members.

detailed parameters
Display

Internal: 3.2” QVGA TFT (240 x 320)

External: 1.44” Mono-color LCD

OS

Not listed

Sim-card

No SIM card required (activates with GreatCall)

Camera

2 MP main camera

Battery

1780 mah

Interfaces

3.5mm stereo headphone jack, MicroUSB port, MicroSD slot

Dimensions

4.3" x 2.2" x 0.7"

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The digital audio player is compatible with MP3, WMA, and unprotected AAC / AAC + files. You can sync music from your PC to the phone and create your own playlist.

CONS

The headphone jack is outdated 2.5mm.

OUR VERDICT

The Motorola Barrage V860 is surely one of the best options for teenagers. With GPS, Bluetooth, music player, voice dialing, and numerous Verizon Wireless services, it's extremely sophisticated and fun to use. A great alternative to a smartphone.

detailed parameters
Display

Internal: 2.2” TFT (176x 220)

External: 1.66” TFT

OS

Not listed

Sim-card

No SIM card required (activates with Verizon)

Camera

2 MP main camera

Battery

1170 mah

Interfaces

2.5mm stereo headphone jack, MicroUSB port, MicroSD slot

Dimensions

3.78" x 2.09" x 0.96"

Warranty

1 year

PROS

Thanks to the Text to Speech functionality, the phone can aid blind people by offering a computer-generated spoken voice that "reads" SMS.

CONS

The LCD screen on the top could be larger.

OUR VERDICT

The LG 450 T-Mobile Cell Phone's a good basic model that can become a real salvation for people with sight or hearing problems. It's quite loud and can read received massages for you.

detailed parameters
Display

Internal: 2.2” TFT (176x 220)

External: 1” Mono-color LCD

OS

Not listed

Sim-card

1 slot for SIM card (T-Mobile)

Camera

1.3 MP main camera

Battery

950 mah

Interfaces

MicroUSB port

Dimensions

3.86" x 2.01" x 0.73"

Warranty

1 year

Exceptionally Smooth Operation

If you are looking for a basic yet durable flip phone, you should seriously consider the Kyocera DuraXE E4710. The Kyocera Group is a leading supplier of mobile phones that come at reasonable price tags but boast exceptional reliability and innovations. So, no wonder this cell phone has quite a lot to offer in terms of performance.

To begin with, the DuraXE E4710 model houses serious hardware inside. To be more precise, it's made with a 1.1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 MSM8909 quad-core processor that works smoothly without any lags. Another perk is the 8 GB of internal storage (4.3 GB available for users) which you can further expand up to 32 GB with a microSD card.

The phone runs on Android OS but it has no app store. Tech-wise, this cell phone offers stable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection, meaning you can make "hands-free" calls. That's a quite handy feature, especially if you're a busy person going to use the DuraXE as an additional working phone. Also, the gadget comes with a robust loudspeaker and speakerphone. As for the hotspot, it also works wonderfully.

For Your Adventures

The next thing many users appreciate is that this device works with AT&T Nano size SIM cards that are quite easy to activate. However, take note that SIM card isn't included with the purchase and you'll need to contact the AT&T telecom company to acquire it. Once you're done, the cell phone will support 12 different frequencies including LTE (B1, B2, B4, B5, B8, B12) and UMTS GSM (850/900/1800/1900/2100). This wide variety of bands will give you an opportunity to roam on LTE in many countries, including those overseas.

When streaming at 4G LTE speeds, the mobile phone can work up to 9.4 hours on a single charge. In Standby mode, the run time is extended up to 384 hours. On average, the battery life stretches up to three days with constant calls and frequent use.

Speaking about the casing of the Kyocera DuraXE, it's ultra-rugged - it's waterproof and dustproof to the highest extent. And the fact that it's built in accordance with the Military Standard 810G is great proof. So, if you're looking for a durable heavy-duty phone for your adventurous trips, this one will definitely fit the bill.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01AQ4RP6Q

Keep it Simple

Samsung needs no presentation. It's the world-leading brand of electronics, so you should not even doubt the quality of the Convoy 4 B690 flip phone. It's a tough, water-resistant phone with a camera and built-in flashlight. Also, it's featured with the Push-to-Talk technology for instant, radio-style communication.

This phone is undeniably robust and built to military specifications when it comes to durability and waterproofing. It also stands up to dust, shocks, altitude, solar radiation and more. It's worth noting that the phone is slightly larger than other typical models, but the increased screen size is well worth that compromise.

The phone gives you quite a lot of flexibility in terms of connectivity options - you can either install a SIM card or use a CDMA network (no need to insert a card). And the Quad-band GSM global roaming technology makes it well suitable for traveling abroad.

Take note that the mobile data is limited to 3G only, so don't expect to surf the net in a meaningful way. Even websites formatted specifically for mobile users may not work well with this phone.

If you're switching back to a flip phone from a smartphone, you should also be aware of the fact that emoji won't be displayed in text messages.

Good Sound Quality

Although the camera isn't the selling feature of the phone, it takes rather good-quality pictures. Surprisingly enough, you can even take good-quality selfies with this phone - the camera is easily accessible from the front-facing screen if the lid is closed.

Speaking about the sound quality, the audio produced by this thing is quite good. And the music sounds good through Bluetooth, the jack, and the loud speakers mounted on the face. Calls sound great as well. That's largely achieved owing to the noise-canceling option. Dual microphone with noise cancellation technology allows interlocutors to clearly hear your voice even with strong winds or other surrounding noise.

Last but not least, the phone offers a decent battery life - you can expect a week or more of runtime if you mainly talk and text. With the heavy Bluetooth use, you'll naturally need to throw it on the charger quicker.

All in all, if you need a no-frills, durable phone from a reliable brand, the Convoy 4 ruggedized flip phone by Samsung is what you need. In harsh conditions, it'll let you make calls and send basic texts.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $50.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01L9D7J00

For Seniors

If you seek the best phone for your elderly family members, you'll be hard-pressed to find something better than Jitterbug Flip Cell Phone. Designed with seniors in mind, it's actually the simplest gadget to use.

First off, the Jitterbug Flip has an easy-to-use interface and very big buttons with “yes” and “no” keys that guide you through every function. The customers report that all the keys are really large and backlit to be well-visible in any light conditions.

As a nice addition, the phone is made with a reading magnifier with LED flashlight. Hence, elderly people can activate the flashlight via the handy side button and read papers and menus in restaurants. And if the font size is too small, they can take advantage of the reading magnifier.

Moving on, the phone has a powerful speaker for clear conversations, allowing you to hear every word and speak without having to yell. And if that seems not enough, you can connect your hearing aid to the phone, since it's M4/T4 hearing aid compatible.

Though the phone seems almost child-friendly at first sight, it even has a convenient built-in camera that lets users capture and share every special moment in their life. On average, the phone holds up to 1,000+ photos.

Exceptional Customer Support

Yet, what makes this phone a real standout is its exceptional U.S.-based customer service and support. By subscribing to one of the following plans, you'll be able to turn this phone into a personal safety device at your fingertips.

The Basic Package is as low as $14.99 per month. It gives you a 24/7 access to IAED-Certified 5Star agents that are always ready to help you in any emergency.

The Preferred Package costs a bit more but it adds unlimited access to nurses and doctors as well as access to an award-winning app. This way, your friends and your family will get actual information on your well-being.

The Ultimate Package involves additional handset replacement - if your phone somehow gets lost, stolen or broken, you'll get a replacement without extra charges.

As you see, it's not a simple flip phone but a useable safety device with health services. It can help seniors maintain independence, while staying in touch with their family members, in the safest way possible.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B01DRV2BBY

Open the World of Verizon Wireless Services

Need a phone for your kid? Then, you should certainly consider the Motorola Barrage V860 phone. The main highlight of this model is obviously the connection to Verizon Wireless Services that can be extremely useful for adults and children alike.

To begin with, using Verizon Wireless Push to Talk network, you'll be able to communicate with your friends and colleagues. And owing to the Family Locator feature, you'll be able to track your kids' locations right from any Verizon Wireless device or the web. That is to say, you'll be provided with the detailed location information and the exact addresses conveniently displayed on an interactive map. On top of that, you can receive updates when your kids leave or arrive at the specific locations (school, friends' homes, soccer practice, dance classes, etc.).

Another option is VZ Navigator. Since this is a GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access this service and get voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions if need be. Also, it can send you heads-up alerts and let you perform a local search of points of interest.

Among other useful features provided by Verizon, we would like to say a few words about V CAST Music with Rhapsody - a function both parents and kids will appreciate. It gives you monthly access to RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. For reasonable costs, you will be able to download songs from your PC to your phone and take music on the go.

Rugged Construction

One more thing that makes this stylish phone a wise choice for kids is its ultra-durable construction. The phone is able to withstand extreme temperatures, dust, vibration, shock, and more. It can be even submerged in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. That's why it's likely to withstand rough use by teenagers and smaller kids.

Finally, it's worth noting that the phone has a 2-megapixel camera and a video camcorder. You can choose the resolution to your liking and adjust the color effects for snapping great selfies. And owing to an internal 2.2-inch display, you can watch all your photos in 176 x 220 pixels. As for the external display, it's also fairly large and colorful. It shows current time, battery status, signal strength, and incoming calls. For extra convenience, it includes music playback controls.

Thanks to all these great features, the Motorola Barrage V860 is surely one of the best options for teenagers. With GPS, Bluetooth compatibility, music player, voice dialing, and numerous Verizon Wireless services, it's extremely sophisticated and fun to use. An excellent alternative to a smartphone.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $14.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B002WTC1NG

The Simplest of All Them

If you're in search of the most reliable, long-lasting, and simplest flip phone, the LG 450 Black is a perfect offering for you. It's a really great phone for those individuals who need a spare phone for emergencies or for use while working.

For starters, it's a genuine T-mobile phone - not a knock-off. It comes with a SIM card right in the box, so no additional purchases are necessary. Also, it's worth emphasizing that this phone is built around minimal power usage and the 950-mah battery. Despite the low capacity, the battery lasts many days between charges if the phone is not used for long calls. Part of the power-saving properties is achieved due to the little LCD on the top of the phone. It's normally dark, so it doesn't drain the battery that much.

When it comes to extra features, the phone is 3G data-capable and Bluetooth-enabled, meaning you can hook it up to Bluetooth in your car. Also, it has a simple Web browser and music player.

On the bright side, the phone offers amazing volume. You'll be able to hear the other caller clearly with just slight tinny background noise. Moreover, if you experience some hearing problems, you can activate the Senior setting that will allow just anyone with at least one ear to hear clearly.

Speaking about the ring tone volume, it can be adjusted in 7 steps - the lowest is very soft, while the maximum setting is easily discernible even in a noisy car. By the way, you can select the preferable one from a good number of ring tones or music that is downloaded on the phone.

Perfect for People with Sight Problems

The phone is also attractive for elderly people with sight problems since it can read the name and number from the address book loudly. Besides that, it can tell you who is calling (granted the number is in your address book memory).

But what makes the phone particularly useful for visually impaired users is its Text to Speech functionality. It's the form of speech synthesis that converts texts into spoken voice output. That is to say, the phone can aid blind people by offering a computer-generated spoken voice that "reads" SMS.

Text to Speech should not be confused with voice response systems that are limited to just synthesizing sentences that contain words that are predetermined by the system only. Actually, this phone is capable of reading any string of text characters to form adequate sentences.

In all, it's a good simple phone that can become a real salvation for people with sight or hearing problems. It's quite loud and can read received massages for you.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $98.88
Stock In stock
ASIN B00O15MXQY

What Is a Flip Phone?

Remember the iconic Motorola RAZR that caused ripples on the market at the beginning of the third century? No matter whether you want to get back to the basics or look for an ultra-durable phone that is likely to survive the apocalypse, we'll get you covered.

Our review includes the best flip phones available on the market today. All the models are perfectly suitable for harsh conditions, which makes them a stellar choice for field workers, individuals on challenging job sites, avid hikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The reviewed phones will let you send/receive calls and messages from deep in the woods, meaning they can become the #1 safety issue in your life. So, what is a flip phone?

Flip phones (also called clamshell phones) have two or more sections that fold via a hinge. They are typically quite compact and can be neatly carried in a pocket. With that, they are long and convenient when expanded. And what many users appreciate the most - you don’t have to block the screen or keyboard. Just collapse your flip phone and that’s it.

And if you'd like to complete your phone with high-quality music and perfect photos, you may be interested in the best digital point & shoot cameras and MP3 players.

What Features to Compare

No matter whether you're seeking simplicity, want your dose of nostalgia or need a break from your super smart phone, our flip phones will hit that sweet spot. They offer great durability, simplicity, and long-lasting batteries. However, prior to purchasing, you should consider specific factors like these:

Construction

If you're fond of trekking or hiking, you surely need a ruggedized flip phone designed especially for harsh conditions. That's why it's better to consider models that are made in accordance with military standards and can stand up to water, dust, shock, vibration, altitude, solar radiation, and more factors. Push-to-Talk technology for radio-style communication would also be a welcome addition.

Camera

Without doubts, one of the major considerations is the quality of the images and video captured by a flip phone. However, don't expect fantastic specs and a dazzling range of features here. Obviously, flip phones are not for committed amateur photographers. They are good just for capturing special moments occasionally.

And if you're planning to use the camera extensively, it's better to opt for a lens with more megapixels. You can find models from 1.3 MP cameras to 5 MP. The more, the better.

Music

Are you a music fan? If yes, you probably want to keep your playlist close at hand at all times. That's why you should choose models with great memory capabilities. Consider the capacity of a built-in memory and whether the phone offers you an ability to expand that memory with a microSD card. Also, don't overlook the availability of a digital audio player and the audio formats it can read.

Typically, most flip phones come with a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack for your phones. Yet, you can also find a 2.5 port for your earphones. If you prefer to use Bluetooth speakers, check if the chosen phone supports the Bluetooth technology.

Extras

Mobile Hotspot, WiFi Support, and some other popular features can be found even on basic modern flip phones. So, you should decide whether your phone needs to become a mobile hotspot to share the Internet connection with other devices or not. How about WiFi? Do you need to pay extra for that?

Lastly, take note that you can find special phones designed for seniors and people with sight/hearing problems. Some of the phones even can double as personal safety devices with 24/7 access to health services and emergency agents.

Did you know?

The First Flip Phone

Surprisingly enough, the first-ever flip phone was introduced in early 1996. It was called the StarTAC and was released by Motorola. This phone was so revolutionary and popular that it sold more than 60 million units. This was quite shocking considering its whopping $1,000 price tag.

In addition to being the first flip phone in the world, the StarTAC was one of the pioneers to use a lithium-ion battery. The display of the phone was also revolutionary - it was digital and considerably larger compared to other models at that time. Additionally, the phone was able to vibrate instead of just ringing when a call came in.

The flip form factor began to experience a huge decline in popularity with the invention of touchscreen smartphones in the late 2000s. Yet, flip phones still remain popular among users that cherish simplicity and durability above all. But actually, there’re many more factors to like about them.

Top Benefits of Flip Phones over Smartphones:

They are smaller

Unlike bulky phones with enormously large touchscreens that don’t even fit in a palm, flip phones are tiny and can easily fit into jeans pockets. And owing to their flip design, the possibility of "butt dialing" is reduced to zero. Therefore, embarrassing dialing will never happen.

Better reachability

Though, the buttons are easier to reach when you really need it. Just flip a cover and do your business. No lagging with Touch IDs or whatever.

Greater durability

Today, iPhone screens get scratches even if you accidentally drop them a foot above the ground. But flip phones are literally indestructible. More likely than not, their screen won't shatter even if you drop it out of a 10th-story window.

Can serve as an organizer

If you happen to forget your purse at home, you can use your flip phone as a clip, thus, neatly organizing your credit cards and money inside your bag.

Let you answer with style

Actually, you can hang up and pick up your phone like a boss. Every time you hung up, the clickety-clack of the flip phone will look cool.

Longer battery life

Think that staying alive for a week at a time sounds fantastic? Then, you should give a clamshell phone a try. Probably, the battery in a flip phone lasts longer than the paint on its buttons. That is to say, you never need to worry about constant re-charging.

Furthermore, unlike smartphones, most flip phones allow you to replace the battery if the old one dies. No need to buy a new phone.

They make a statement

All flip phones are unique. Of course, the choice isn’t that vast but any of them will let you stand out from the crowd.

More clear sound

Flip phones are still considered to be the best phones to hear conversations. That’s because their earpieces are larger than those in smartphones.

They allow you to relax

Imagine yourself in a tropical paradise, spending a much-deserved vacation, and nobody is disturbing you... Sounds like a dream? With the flip phone that was actually invented before email, it can become a reality. Since flip phones are free from unnecessary apps, you won’t be distracted with annoying notifications and beeps. The best phone if you want to disconnect from the whole world for a while!

Great thief repellents

When it came to safety, flip phones are obviously your safest option. They literally repel thieves and muggers, meaning they are the smartest option for the safety-conscious people.

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