The 9 Best Flip Phones for Anybody Who Hates Smartphones

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Nothing has been making a bigger comeback than some good old-fashioned nostalgia, and technology is no exception. Sure, smartphones are great, but today's biggest tech manufacturers have also brought back the flip phone — and they're better than ever! Whether you already have a smartphone and just want to go back to the good old days, or if you just prefer the durability, simplicity, and affordability that flip phones offer, we're here to help you pick the best one.

Unfortunately, flip phones still aren't as common as they once were, but I've researched and compared every option available on the market today and narrowed down the best of the best below.

Best Flip Phones of 2023

• Best Overall: Alcatel Prepaid My Flip 4G

• The Pick With Google Maps: Alcatel GO FLIP 3 Phone

• Best for T-Mobile Users: CAT S22 Flip Phone

• Best for Verizon Users: Alcatel GO FLIP V Phone

• Best for Music Lovers: ZTE Cymbal Z-320 Flip Phone

• Best Smart Flip Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 5G Flip Phone

• Most Durable: Kyocera DuraXE LTE Flip Phone

• Best for Seniors: Easyfone Prime-A1 Pro Flip Phone

• Extra Loud Speakers: Sonim XP3 Flip Phone

What to Consider

Compatibility

The most important factor to consider when shopping for a flip phone is that your device is compatible with your wireless carrier. The easiest way to do this is to purchase an “unlocked” phone. This means the phone isn’t tied to a specific carrier or contract. Having an unlocked phone is also convenient in the event you decide to switch cell phone providers, or if you’re traveling: You can pop in practically any carrier’s SIM card to get service. Can’t find an unlocked phone to buy? No sweat! I made sure to recommend models for every major U.S.-based carrier, including prepaid providers.

Connectivity

I strongly recommend you opt for a flip phone that supports fourth generation long-term evolution (4G LTE) connectivity. Despite the fact that several flip phones utilize 3G networks, it's imperative that you get a 4G phone because all major national carriers have decommissioned their 3G networks.

AT&T and T-Mobile shut down their 3G networks last spring and Verizon turned off the last of its 3G CDMA network on December 31, 2022. Older cell phones (likely models from 2012 or earlier) that use 3G and 2G won't be able to receive calls or text, including to 911, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

If you or a loved one is concerned about being able to afford a new device or cellular phone bill, the federal Lifeline Program provides a discount on wireless or internet service to consumers who quality.

How We Selected

Our recommended models offer strong battery life (expressed below in talk time hours) and necessary features like a memory card slot and Bluetooth. We also made sure to highlight flip phones that are easy to use. Some of our recommended picks are even equipped with built-in voice assistants, GPS, and MP3 players to make them feel more modern. And since flip phones vary greatly in price, we included options for all budgets.

During our most recent update, removed a handful of flip phones that have been discontinued or are only compatible with 3G networks which are no longer being supported by wireless carriers in the U.S. We added Samsung's new Galaxy ZFlip 4 smartphone and considered but ultimately dismissed Plum's RAM Plus flip phone because multiple users report that its buttons frequently get stuck. Lastly, we also looked at the LG Classic Flip device, but found it to be too expensive for a prepaid phone that was locked to a single network.

If you're seeking simplicity, craving a dose of nostalgia, or just want a break from your smartphone, these are the best flip phones you can buy today.

Prepaid My Flip 4G

This is one of the best, most modern flip phones you can buy. It has a 2.8-inch display, a quad-core processor, and built-in GPS. Its outer display lets you get a glimpse of your incoming calls and messages. Additionally, the battery gets an impressive 16 days of standby time.

A 2MP camera is capable of capturing video in HD, and because the phone has 4G, you can still send videos to your friends without the slow speeds of past-generation 2G or 3G networks. Shoppers rave about how simple it is to use, the phone's crystal clear audio quality, and its wide app selection, which includes Google Maps.

More: Affordable Smartphones Worth Buying Today

GO FLIP 3 Phone

Who says a flip phone has to be a dumb phone? This modern-day option packs key Google apps, including YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Search. It's also equipped with the Google Assistant, meaning that you can make calls, send texts, or open apps using just your voice.

It features a 2MP camera, a long-lasting battery, and 4GB of storage space. If you need more space for photos or music, you'll be glad to know that the phone is packed with a microSD card slot.

S22 Flip Phone

The CAT S22 is an outstanding flip phone that sports an incredibly rugged build. It's an ideal phone for blue-collar workers, drop-prone users, or just folks who want a durable device. That's because the phone has an IP68 and MIL-SPEC 810H rating, so it can be dropped, dunked, and washed.

CAT says it tested the hinge more than 150,000 times, and is so confident about the device's durability that it backs it with a 2-year warranty. The CAT S22 is powered by Android Go. It has a speedy Qualcomm quad-core processor and 16GB of storage that can be expanded upon via an onboard microSD card slot. You can expect 12 hours of talk time before its battery will need recharging.

GO FLIP V Phone

The GO FLIP V is one of the newest flip phones on the market. Unfortunately, at the time of publishing, it is a Verizon Wireless exclusive — meaning you can't use it with any other providers. Its 2MP camera is capable of capturing 720p HD videos. The phone is also equipped with 8GB of storage, which should be plenty for most users.

If you want to store more photos, videos, or music, it offers a MicroSD card slot. It's also one of the few flip phones that can create a Wi-Fi hotspot, since it supports 4G speeds. It even has GPS and a web browser.

Cymbal Z-320 Flip Phone

This option for ZTE sports a sleek and compact design that'll easily slip into your pocket. This modern flip phone is one of the few models that support 4G LTE networks. The 3-inch screen is ideal for reading texts and looking at photos.

Though the 2MP camera isn't the greatest, there's fortunately no need to worry about storage space — the Cymbal has 650 MB of internal storage and a microSD card slot. This device has Bluetooth and an FM radio, which come in handy for listening to music or taking calls with your wireless headphones.

Galaxy Z Flip4 5G Flip Phone

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is one of the few foldable smartphones that's available for purchase. Unlike the majority of other folding phones, the Galaxy Z Flip4 is completely water-resistant. It also sports a matte finish that's less prone to fingerprints than its predecessor.

The device runs one of the latest versions of Android and packs Qualcomm's most powerful processor, so it’s compatible with the majority of apps. The phone has a unique feature that lets users split the app’s interface and separate its controls into the bottom half of the display. This feature comes in handy for Zoom calls, taking selfies, or watching videos.

Samsung offers the Galaxy Z Flip4 in several colors: Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, Blue, and a Bespoke Edition.

Read More: Our Full Roundup of Samsung's Stunning Galaxy Smartphones

Galaxy Z Flip4 5G Flip Phone

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 is one of the few foldable smartphones that's available for purchase. Unlike the majority of other folding phones, the Galaxy Z Flip4 is completely water-resistant. It also sports a matte finish that's less prone to fingerprints than its predecessor.

The device runs one of the latest versions of Android and packs Qualcomm's most powerful processor, so it’s compatible with the majority of apps. The phone has a unique feature that lets users split the app’s interface and separate its controls into the bottom half of the display. This feature comes in handy for Zoom calls, taking selfies, or watching videos.

Samsung offers the Galaxy Z Flip4 in several colors: Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold, Blue, and a Bespoke Edition.

Read More: Our Full Roundup of Samsung's Stunning Galaxy Smartphones

DuraXE LTE Flip Phone

If you're looking for the most rugged flip phone, look no further than this model from Kyocera. It's compatible with more carriers than the similar Plum RAM 8, and provides an overall better user experience.

The DuraXE (on Amazon), the DuraXV Extreme (on Verizon), and DuraXPT (on Amazon) are waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof.

The phone's dual front-facing speakers give loud and clear sound, and the device is equipped with a microSD card slot for storing all of your favorite songs. Additionally, its integrated camera is capable of shooting 5MP stills.

You'll get 9 hours of talk time and 16 days of standby time with this tough phone. If you opt for the Verizon variant, you'll get 16GB of internal storage, which is plenty for all of your photos. Verizon also sells a variant without a camera.

Prime-A1 Pro Flip Phone

This reasonably priced flip phone is ideal for kids or senior citizens since it's one of the few that has an SOS button that lets you easily and immediately contact up to five people.

The Easyfone's 2.4-inch display is bright and easy to read, and the dial pad features large, illuminated buttons. The phone's internal memory only offers enough storage space for your contacts and a few photos. Fortunately, it has a memory-card slot for storing additional photos.

It even supports Bluetooth, so you can use it with a headset, wireless headphones, or your vehicle's sound system. This option comes with a convenient cradle charger, too. Lastly, it's worth mentioning that the phone is compatible with MetroPCS, T-Mobile, Tello, RedPocket (AT&T), but not Verizon.

Prime-A1 Pro Flip Phone

This reasonably priced flip phone is ideal for kids or senior citizens since it's one of the few that has an SOS button that lets you easily and immediately contact up to five people.

The Easyfone's 2.4-inch display is bright and easy to read, and the dial pad features large, illuminated buttons. The phone's internal memory only offers enough storage space for your contacts and a few photos. Fortunately, it has a memory-card slot for storing additional photos.

It even supports Bluetooth, so you can use it with a headset, wireless headphones, or your vehicle's sound system. This option comes with a convenient cradle charger, too. Lastly, it's worth mentioning that the phone is compatible with MetroPCS, T-Mobile, Tello, RedPocket (AT&T), but not Verizon.

XP3 Flip Phone

Also available at Verizon

Another rugged option worth considering, the SONIM XP3 is as tough as it is convenient. It's the only pick on our list that doubles as a two-way radio.

It's backed by an impressive 3-year warranty, supports LTE speeds, and has a loud 100 dB speaker. Although it packs 8GB of storage space, it also comes equipped with a memory card slot for storing photos and music.

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