The 5 Best Flip Phones for Anybody Who Hates Smartphones

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For many of us, the phrase “flip phone” conjures memories of baggy clothing, AIM away messages, and belt buckle holsters—a simpler time when mobile phones were strictly for making calls and sending texts.

In 2024, it means something different. Phone makers have revived the clamshell flip phone as a type of foldable phone. Thanks to foldable display technology, flip smartphones can have an extra-tall inner screen that stretches edge-to-edge. It’s a bigger screen than your average smartphone, but not as versatile as larger folding phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, which open to reveal expansive displays the size of small tablets.

Despite that, according to Samsung, the most popular folding phone manufacturer, smart flip phones are the most popular type of folding phone. That could be because they’re more accessible, or possibly because we remember our old 20-year-old Motorola Razrs and StarTacs fondly.

At this stage, there are only a handful of smart flip phones in the US from two brands–Samsung and the now Lenovo-owned Motorola. While your choices are currently limited, we expect the number of options to grow as folding phones become more affordable. There’s a bright future for this blend of old-school cell phone vibes and cutting edge technology.

The Best Flip Phones

• Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

• Best Value: Motorola Razr (2023)

• Best Battery Life: Motorola Razr Plus

• Best Dumb Phone: Kyocera DuraXV Extreme Plus

• Best Cheap Prepaid Flip Phone: TCL Flip 2 (Tracphone)

The Expert

What to Consider in a Flip Phone

Foldable phones, including new flip phones, are new technology and come with some universal drawbacks. The hinge and folding screen make them more fragile than standard smartphones. Most folding screens also have a slight bump and/or crease where the screen folds, which may distract while you use it. Combine that with the fact that they are among the most expensive phones on the market, and they are likely best reserved for tech enthusiasts and people who love the idea of having a flip phone in 2024.

That said, folding phones are getting more popular every year and the tech behind them will get cheaper. We expect to see more and more folding phones every year, with flip phones leading the way.

Displays

Modern flip phones boast two displays: a large “main” folding inner display, and a smaller external “cover” display for phone calls, texts, and quick responses to notifications. On a flip phone, the inner display will measure around 6.7- to. 6.9 inches, similar to what you’ll find in extra large smartphones like the iPhone Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra.

The cover screen has to fit on the front panel of the closed phone, so it needs to be smaller. That said, the size can vary quite a bit: We’ve seen versions with screens from 1.5 inches up to 3.6 inches. A larger screen, internal or cover, is a major luxury, giving you more room to launch apps, respond to messages, and see notifications.

Display technology is increasingly important in smartphones. Many mid-range and high-end devices now feature OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays. Unlike LCD (Liquid Crystal Displays) panels, which rely on a backlight, OLED displays light each pixel individually. This results in deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. While LCD technology remains common in budget phones, OLED offers the best picture quality.

Another factor to consider is the display’s refresh rate, measured in Hz. This refers to how many times per second the screen refreshes the image. Higher refresh rates of 120Hz or higher, typically found in high-end phones, translate to smoother animations and a more fluid experience, especially when playing games. While not as common, some budget-friendly models will include a higher refresh rate.

Processor

The processor is basically your smartphone’s brain. It’s responsible for how quickly and smoothly your phone runs apps, lets you perform multiple functions simultaneously, and handles demanding tasks. A powerful processor will keep your phone feeling fast and responsive, while ensuring it can handle the newest features that companies release.

Most flip phones feature Snapdragon processors made by Qualcomm. Counterintuitively, phone makers don’t always have the latest chip–in 2024, that’s the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. We believe that’s likely to keep these phones relatively affordable. Even with last year’s chips, though, these phones are very capable and can run most apps smoothly. You likely won’t get the best possible performance on more demanding tasks playing certain games or editing video.

Cameras

The cameras found in flip phones are typically good, but don’t match the quality and capabilities of the top-of-the-line flagship smartphones. That said, just about every new smartphone can take good quality photos and videos in most lighting conditions.

Flip phones often sport dual-lens setups with a primary wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra wide lens, giving you the flexibility to switch between capturing everyday moments and expansive landscapes. They typically forego a telephoto lens, now a smartphone staple, which enhances close portraits and pictures where you zoom in.

On the flip side, they also feature a selfie camera on the internal display. One of the great benefits of the flip form factor is the ability to fold your phone and prop it up so you can take a selfie with the rear camera. Some of the phones even allow you to use the cover screen as a viewfinder.

Software Support

Software and security updates play a vital role in keeping your phone functional, safe, and running smoothly. It’s important to stop using a phone when the manufacturer stops supporting it, which means it’s also important to look for a phone that will get support for a long time.

For traditional smartphones, manufacturers regularly provide five to seven years of operating system and security updates. The window for folding phones, including flip phones, is shorter, though–more like three to five years.

Battery Life

The compact design of flip phones leaves less internal space for components, so they often have relatively small batteries. That said, we’ve found that most of them still last through a full day of intermittent use. They may need a midday top off when you use them for playing games or watching movies, which drain batteries more quickly.

What About “Dumb Phones?”

The term flip phones technically refers to any phones with a “flippable” clamshell form factor. Though this guide is primarily focused on smart flip phones, many companies still make old-school “dumb phones,” similar to the ones that were popular in the 2000’s. In fact, dumb phones have had something of a resurgence, finding a following with people looking to disconnect from an always-connected world.

If you’re more interested in dumb phones than smart flip phones, major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile still offer a modest selection. We’ve included a couple of recommendations below, but check out our buying guide on the best dumb phones for a more in-depth look at the modern state of these retro phones.

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How We Selected The Best Flip Phones

To select the best flip phones, smart and dumb, I relied on my many years of phone reviewing experience, including time spent specifically with flip and folding phones. I also relied on testing and insights from reviews editors at Best Products, and sister site Popular Mechanics. I selected these specific phones based on availability, as well as the core specifications, like display, processor, software support and battery life.

Galaxy Z Flip 5

Since the original Galaxy Z Flip hit in 2020, Samsung’s clamshell-style folding phone has gotten better every year. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 delivers the most polished flip phone experience yet, with a hinge that folds flat, a near-waterproof IPX8 ingress rating, and a large 3.4-inch cover screen.

The large cover screen has a lot of benefits when you don’t want to stop and open the phone: You can launch apps, send messages and emails, and control audio playback, among other things. It’s incredibly helpful and makes performing quick actions with your phone easier than ever.

When you give it a flip, the phone opens up to an expansive 6.7-inch inner display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Unfurled, the Flip 5 offers performance and features just shy of a 2024 flagship. It has a dual-camera system with a 12-megapixel f/1.8 main sensor and a 10-megapixel selfie camera. Under the hood, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor powers smooth performance. Throw in an all-day battery and you have a solid set of core specs.

The hinge also opens the door to some interesting and unique functionality. Half-folding the phone into an “L” shape activates a “flex mode,” a powerful multi-tasking feature that makes it easy to run two apps simultaneously in a split-screen layout. It also enables additional functionality in certain apps. When watching a YouTube video, flex mode will play the video in the top half of the display and show media controls in the bottom half.

Likewise, the foldable design lets you get creative with selfies. Simply fold the phone halfway, point the rear camera toward you, and frame your shot on the smaller external display. This gives you higher quality selfies than you’d get with the internal camera. Combining its smooth performance and powerful features with its more refined design, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 solidifies its position as the ultimate flip phone experience.

Razr (2023)

Motorola has revived the once-iconic Razr flip phone. The latest iteration, from 2023, is a budget-friendly option for folks looking to dip their toes in the folding phone pool. It features a large 6.9-inch inner screen for comfortable viewing and a dual-camera system with a 64-megapixel main sensor.

While small at 1.5 inches, the utilitarian cover screen looks surprisingly stylish. Like your standard phone’s lock screen, it gives you a shortcut to the time and weather, as well as calendar events, contacts, and media controls.

As a whole, the Razr is a stylish option despite its more affordable price. It features a soft vegan leather finish that adds texture, making the device easier and more comfortable to hold than all-glass alternatives. As a bonus, the vegan leather doesn’t get as smudgy with fingerprints like glass.

Under the hood, it’s powered by a Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset that, while not the top of the line, can handle everyday tasks and even demanding applications like photo editing and games. It has a beefy 4,200 mAh battery that will last a full day. Storage, though, is a low point: With a single 128GB option, shutterbugs, gamers and Netflix downloaders may all find themselves running out of space quickly.

To hit its low price point, which is low for any smartphone but extremely low for a folding phone, Motorola has cut some corners here. Its processor, as we noted, is not the latest and greatest. It offers slower 5-watt wireless charging, though faster 30-watt wired charging is supported with a compatible charger. It’s also fragile— with an IP52 rating, it can protect against limited dust exposure and light splashes of water. Consider its low price, though, the 2023 Razr offers a lot for far less you’ll spend on any other folding phone.

Razr Plus

Samsung is the top dog in flip phone land, but the powerful Motorola Razr Plus gives the Galaxy Z Flip 5 a run for its money. Its expansive 6.9-inch OLED inner screen features high refresh rate—165Hz— for smooth scrolling and better looking games.

The real star here, though, is the 3.6-inch cover display. Taking up the entirety of the closed phone’s front panel, it offers ample room to check your notifications, launch apps, and even respond to messages. It’s currently the largest cover screen in the flip phone market, and makes it easy to do a lot of things without opening up. Think of it like an extra large smartwatch, perfect for staying on top of notifications while keeping the phone compact.

The Razr Plus has a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, which is over a year old at this point. Still, it delivers excellent performance when paired with the device’s 8GB of RAM. There’s also a dual-camera system with a 12-megapixel main sensor, 13-megapixel ultra wide sensor, and a 32-megapixel selfie sensor. Meanwhile, the hinge allows the phone to fold flat with no gap, making it easy to slide into your pocket when it’s closed. It’s all wrapped in a sleek design, with a soft vegan leather on the back instead of glass.

Even with that larger cover screen, the Motorola Razr Plus is able to deliver excellent battery life. It will last you a full day of mixed use with battery life to spare. When the battery gets low, it supports fast 30-watt wired charging or 5-watt wireless charging. The device also has a dual-camera system, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and an IP52 rating, providing partial protection from dust. With a few refinements in future iterations, the Razr Plus has the potential to reign supreme in the flip phone market.

DuraXV Extreme Plus

The Kyocera DuraXV Extreme Plus is tough as nails. This old-school flip phone features an IP68 rating for strong protection against dust and water, allowing it to survive being submerged in water up to 6.5-feet deep for up to 30 minutes. It also received a MIL-STD-810H (Military Standard 810 Revision H) rating, guaranteeing it can survive extreme temperatures, corrosion, altitude, and shocks and vibrations. Lastly, it’s also HazLoc-approved for use in hazardous locations like construction sites and factories.

The DuraXV Extreme Plus weighs less than 1 pound and measures 4.36 inches when folded shut, making it easy to carry in your pants pocket. While it can’t touch the quality of the cameras found in today’s best smartphones, there is a 5-megapixel camera so you can quickly snap a photo when you need to.

The Kyocera DuraXV Extreme Plus offers several customization options, including the ability to adjust the font size and program keys to access frequently-used features. The sides of the device feature buttons for push-to-talk and quick access features.

Kyocera says the device also features dual-loudspeakers and dual-mic noise cancellation, so you can have clear conversations over speakerphone. In a touch of modernity, it charges via USB-C, so you won’t need to search for a proprietary cable.

The DuraXV Extreme Plus is a Verizon exclusive, so you won’t be able to find it at other carriers, which is a shame. That said, it’s the rare “dumb phone” that makes a strong case for itself, even when compared to smartphones, for the right person.

TCL Flip 2

If you need a temporary replacement phone in a pinch, the TCL Flip 2 is a solid, affordable option. It features an 1,850 mAh battery, 8GB of internal storage, and a 2-megapixel camera that can record video. It also boasts a USB-C port, so it’s easy to charge.

The Flip 2 is designed with ease of use in mind. It has large, clear keys for better readability, and you can adjust the text size and brightness to your preference. The phone also allows you to create shortcuts to favorite numbers to make quick calls. It also has a dedicated SOS button on the outside of the phone, making it easy to make an emergency call in any circumstance.

If you plan to keep the phone for a little longer, you can pick up an unlocked version and set it up with a carrier.

If you want to use the Flip 2 long-term, you can pick up an unlocked version and set it up with any U.S. carrier. (It’s more expensive, but you will definitely get better call quality this way.) Whether you’re looking for a temporary solution or a long-term budget-friendly option, the TCL Flip 2 is a cheap, easy-to-use device that’s reliable for calls, texts, and the occasional picture.

Flip Phone Tips From Our Expert

Is Apple making a flip iPhone?

As of March, 2024, Apple hasn’t officially confirmed plans to launch a folding iPhone. A recent report from The Information suggests that the brand is currently developing “at least two” prototypes for clamshell-style folding phones. Although Apple claims to be exploring its options, the report suggests that engineers have concerns over the form factor’s long-term durability. Long story, short: All signs point to yes, but it may not be anytime soon.

Dot folding phones break easily?

The durability of folding smartphones has been a significant concern among critics and users since the original Samsung Galaxy Z Fold was released in 2019. The first folding phones were extremely fragile: The screens cracked along the fold, the hinges could loosen, and dust particles getting inside could break them.

In the last five years, the Z Fold and Flip designs have improved dramatically and they aren’t quite so fragile anymore. Samsung claims that the Fold 5 and Flip 5 hinges are rated for 200,000 folds. The screens are less susceptible to dust, too.

That said, we still expect folding phones to last for a shorter time than a standard rectangular handset. They have more moving parts, and the folding screen technology is still new and evolving. I would recommend treating your folding phone as relatively fragile.

What’s the difference between a ‘foldable phone’ and a ‘flip phone?’

I’ve talked a lot about foldable phones and a lot of smart flip phones in this guide, and going back and forth between the two terms may have left you scratching your head a bit. When we talk about “foldable phones,” we’re describing any and all phones that feature a foldable display. That includes all smart flip phones, as well as devices like the Google Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open, which are larger and fold open like a book to reveal an XXL screen–usually around 7.5 inches.

If you don’t count “dumb phones,” you could say that all flip phones are foldable phones, but not all foldable phones are flip phones. But, alas, non-iOS/Android phones are very much in the mix, so there’s no easy fix at the moment.

Both types of folding phones offer different things. Book-style folding phones give you a tablet-size display in your pocket, which is especially handy for workers who prioritize multitasking, since you have the screen real estate to run (and see) multiple apps at once. It’s also perfect if you crave a larger display for multitasking and entertainment, but still want a traditional phone experience.

There are drawbacks, too. They usually feature top-of-the-line components, which deliver great performance, but make them extremely expensive. They’re also thicker than most standard smartphones, so don’t expect them to take up less space. It’s all about that inner screen.

The primary benefits of the flip phone, on the other hand, are their compact shape when closed and the style factor. In some cases, you can get a few interesting special features that take advantage of the form factor, like “flex mode” on the Z Flip 5. You could say, though, that smart flip phones fill in the gap between a large smartphone and a book-style folding phone.

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