Stay Connected Y2K-Style With The Best Flip Phones

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

In case you haven’t heard, flip phones are making a comeback, mainly thanks to Generation Z’s obsession with Y2K and all things ’90s. But #Y2K aesthetic aside, flip phones provide a break from constant connection and distance from social media, which has been shown to benefit mental health.

Flip phones aren’t that different from ’90s models. Navigation is straightforward for things like retrieving messages and texting. Design is the same: keypad and microphone on one half, screen on the other, and a second small screen on the front of the clamshell with the time, date, and other basic info. They include a camera—certainly better than the flip phones of old—but don’t count on it for amazing shots. And, if you dig foldable phones but can’t give up smart capabilities, there are a few options to stay connected to email and your apps.

Ready to recycle your smartphone and opt for a life with less digital distractions? We've compiled a lineup of flip phones that meet a range of needs and budgets, so read on for our recommendations and advice on how to choose the right model.

The Best Flip Phones

• Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 Flip Phone

• Best Upgrade: LG Classic Flip Phone

• Best Rugged Smartphone: CAT S22 Rugged Flip Phone

• Most Affordable: TracFone TCL Flip2 Flip Phone

• Most Durable: Kyocera DuraXV Extreme Flip Phone

What to Consider

Choosing the right flip phone typically boils down to your current service provider and whether the phone comes locked or unlocked. Locked phones are tied to specific carriers and tend to be less expensive than unlocked phones, which you can use with the carrier of your choice.

Major carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile offer flip phones with the same basic capabilities as those sold in the aughts, and you can expect to spend anywhere from $20 to $250 for one of these. But not all flip phones are cheap cell phones: Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip is a foldable smartphone, and the latest Flip4 is more than $1000 with features to match the price point. Don't assume every flip phone is equipped with a USB-C charging port, the current universal standard—some have micro-USB ports instead.

In terms of special features, things like large backlit keys, high volume, and a loud speakerphone can be helpful if you have trouble seeing or hearing. If you need an extra durable flip phone, some models are drop-tested to military standards and have water- and dust-proof ingress protection, or IP, ratings.

How We Selected

To compile our selection, we considered phones sold by major carriers including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, and looked at models from established brands like Samsung and LG. We took into account the storage, connector type, cellular technology, and cameras on the phones, along with design, durability, and aesthetics. We also considered models with and without smart capabilities and aimed to include options across price points, ranging from $20 to $1,000.

Galaxy Z Flip4 Flip Phone

If you want a smartphone packaged in a flip phone's body, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 is the best option.

It doesn’t come cheap, but the phone itself is gorgeous. It’s compact, with a slimmer bezel than the Flip3, while still accommodating an impressive 6.7-inch screen. The Galaxy Z Flip4 also has a more powerful 3,700-mAh battery and 25-watt fast-charging than its predecessor.

Special features are pretty nifty, which include the ability to view multiple screens at the same time and to customize the cover screen to your liking with things like your most-used apps and calendar reminders.

The flip phone’s camera is solid, with 12-MP wide and 12-MP ultra-wide lenses and a 10-MP front lens, though these aren’t significantly better than the Flip3’s and are nothing to write home about.

TCL Flip2 Flip Phone

If you don't want to plunk down a ton of cash for a flip phone, TracFone’s TCL Flip2 is an excellent choice. It features 8 GB of memory, a two-megapixel rear-facing camera, and a decent 2.8-inch screen. Also, TracFone was acquired by Verizon in 2022, so the flip phone is part of the carrier's robust nationwide network.

The TCL Flip2's design won't wow you, but it's attractive enough with a textured metallic gray exterior and rounded edges. Another plus is that the keys are raised and slightly oversized.

For more memory, 128 GB is the largest micro SD memory card the phone accommodates. This phone charges via micro-USB.

Classic Flip Phone

This flip phone has similar features to the TCL above, with 8 GB of storage, a 2-MP camera, and a 2.8-inch screen. The phone charges via a micro-USB cord.

The LG's exterior is dark metallic gray and its camera lens, battery life indicator, and time are set on a sleek and modern front panel. An SOS key on the back panel is a helpful features incorporated in its design.

LG Classic Flip Phone

This flip phone has similar features to the TCL above, with 8 GB of storage, a 2-MP camera, and a 2.8-inch screen. The phone charges via a micro-USB cord.

The LG's exterior is dark metallic gray and its camera lens, battery life indicator, and time are set on a sleek and modern front panel. An SOS key on the back panel is a helpful features incorporated in its design.

S22 Rugged Flip Phone

This smart and rugged flip phone is designed specifically for construction workers on job sites.

The Cat S22 is armed with a large battery and powerful speakers, built to achieve an IP68 rating. It can survive a six-foot drop on steel and up to 35 minutes in five feet of water, and its rigorously-tested hinge has been upgraded from the previous model.

Other highlights include a 2.8-inch touchscreen that works with wet or gloved fingers, a programmable key with push-to-talk mode, and a 2,000-mAh removable battery. It's also preloaded with Google Assistant and features five- and two-megapixel cameras, plus there's a USB-C port for charging and an included two-year warranty. The caveat is that it comes locked to T-Mobile’s network.

DuraXV Extreme Flip Phone

There’s a lot to like about this flip phone, particularly if you’re an existing Verizon customer. It’s perhaps the best option among the carrier’s basic 4G phones as it's exceptionally durable with great call quality and a super-loud speakerphone. It also comes with 16 GB of storage, a 5-MP rear-facing camera, and a USB-C charging port.

The flip phone is rated to military standards—it’s water-resistant and can withstand drops from five feet as well as extreme temperatures. It features a hard plastic casing and shock-absorbing bumpers on four sides. As a result, it’s a bit heavy and clunky.

Galaxy Z Flip3 Flip Phone

If you like the idea of a smart flip phone but aren’t sure if you can quite stomach the Galaxy Z Flip4’s price tag, opt for the Flip3 and save $100. Put the flip phones’ features head-to-head and you won’t see a huge difference.

The Flip3 is a bit larger than the upgrade but the same width and close to the same weight. Also, the camera is virtually the same. The biggest difference is the Flip4’s more powerful battery and fast-charging capabilities.

Galaxy Z Flip3 Flip Phone

If you like the idea of a smart flip phone but aren’t sure if you can quite stomach the Galaxy Z Flip4’s price tag, opt for the Flip3 and save $100. Put the flip phones’ features head-to-head and you won’t see a huge difference.

The Flip3 is a bit larger than the upgrade but the same width and close to the same weight. Also, the camera is virtually the same. The biggest difference is the Flip4’s more powerful battery and fast-charging capabilities.

Jitterbug Flip2 Cell Phone for Seniors

The Jitterbug Flip2 is specifically designed for seniors. With that focus, it features large backlit keys, extra-loud volume, and a magnifier and flashlight for reading printed text. The screen, at 3.4 inches, is also larger than the average flip phone screen.

For an extra fee, you can get two health and safety packages on top of the standard or unlimited talk and text service plans. The basic plan includes direct access to urgent care and automatic notifications sent to family in an emergency, while the premium adds access to on-call nurses.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?