If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
Cold turkey may be the best and only way to wean yourself or your kids from a smartphone addiction. There is actually a way to exist these days without a smartphone. Imagine—you can continue to keep in touch in this ultra-connected world via the simplicity of an old-fashioned “feature” flip phone, a clamshell phone with a small, non-touch display and a physical numerical keypad that were the norm before the iPhone.
Lacking a giant touch screen or powerful mobile processor, flip phones are often referred to as “dumb phones” and focus primarily on phone calls. Their numeric keys aren’t conducive to texting, which is a good thing if you’re trying to simplify your life and reduce your screen time.
Only a handful of new flip phones are introduced each year, which means most models are several years old. But most basic cellular voice technologies haven’t improved all that much, though newer flip models might include more up-to-date Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions. As such, an older flip model is not necessarily a bad thing since you presumably need it primarily to carry on cellular conversations.
I’ve researched and compared every flip phone option available on the market and narrowed down the best of the best based on performance, price, and carrier compatibility and availability.
Best Flip Phones
- Best Overall: Sonim XP3plus
- Best Budget: Alcatel Go Flip 4
- Smartest “Dumb Phone”: CAT S22 Flip
- Best Call Quality: Nokia 2780 Flip
- Most Durable: Kyocera DuraXA Extreme
- Best Smart Flip Phone: Motorola Razr 2023
- Best for Seniors: Lively Jitterbug Flip2
The Expert: I've been writing about, reporting on, and reviewing consumer technology for nearly 40 years, and have been writing about, reviewing, and recommending electronics for all of them.
What to Look For in a Flip Phone
Compatibility
The most important factor when shopping for a flip phone is that your device is compatible with your wireless carrier, both prepaid carriers, who you pay in advance for your monthly service, and the major “post-paid” carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
You can buy a flip phone directly from a carrier, but the pickings are slim. You’ll find a wider variety of “unlocked” phones on the open market. “Unlocked” means the phone isn’t tied to a specific carrier or contract, convenient if 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.
More Trendy Picks: Wireless Earbuds • Smartwatches • Mini Laptops • Action Cameras
Cost
Since they’re simpler, dumb flip phones are cheaper than their sophisticated smartphone alternatives, often costing less than $100–unless the “flip phone” you’re shopping for is one of the new foldable “flip” smartphones. Just remember that you get what you pay for. If you buy a “cheap” phone, say for less than $50 or $100, you’ll get a cheap phone.
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.
Connectivity
Make sure the flip phone you choose is compatible with 4G LTE connectivity.
AT&T and T-Mobile shut down their 3G networks in spring 2022 and Verizon turned off its 3G network at the end 2022. Older cell phones that are only compatible with 3G or even older 2G networks won't be able to receive calls or text, including to 911, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
All flip phones listed here operate on 4G cellular networks; no “dumb phone” operates on newer 5G networks, which are designed primarily to improve data, not voice, communications.
Most dumb phones include Wi-Fi for rudimentary internet access or Wi-Fi calling and Bluetooth for wireless head/earphone connectivity, as well as a standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
Smart Features
Many so-called “dumb” flip phones actually are equipped with color displays and run smart operating systems based on older versions of Android or KaiOS, a mobile Linux operating system. This means you can get a flip phone that includes a web browser, music player, map, messaging, calendar, and other basic apps, although these all may be difficult to navigate without a touch screen or even see on the small, low resolution 2.8-inch screens usually found on flip phones.
How We Selected These Flip Phones
My recommended flip phone models offer strong battery life expressed in talk time hours and standby hours or days, and include features such as Bluetooth so you can use wireless earbuds or headphones for music listening or to conduct handsfree calling. Since no dumb phone captures stills or video that approach the quality you’d get from a smartphone, the camera’s capability wasn’t a prime consideration. I tried to choose unlocked models with wide carrier compatibility and, additionally, I considered the previous contributions to this article by Brandon Carte.
If you're seeking simplicity, privacy, craving a dose of nostalgia, or just want a break from your smartphone, these are the best flip phones you can buy today.
Pros
Long battery life- High-resolution camera
- Rugged construction
- Internal and external screens
- 3-year warranty
- Locked versions for all three major carriers
Cons
- Bulky, heavy
- Long charge time
Since this tough Sonim XP3plus runs a version of Android, it’s not as unsophisticated as your typical flip phone, and it comes piled with features–which means it’s a bit more expensive than lesser dumb models. You get an 8MP camera which can record 1080p video–maybe not the quality of a smartphone camera, but better than the low resolution pictures and video included with most flip phones.
For music, you get an FM radio and an MP3 player, with 16GB of memory built-in, expandable to 256GB via a microSD card. You also get the latest Bluetooth version for excellent wireless headphone connections.
The XP3plus also is rugged: it’s IP68 dust/water resistant and rated military tough MIL-STD-810H. It also carries an unusually long 3-year warranty. For emergencies, the XP3plus is FirstNet Ready for first responders. One caveat: many carriers sell a non-camera version of the XP3plus, so make sure you know which version you’re buying.
Key Specs
| Camera | 8 MP, 1080p video |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Talk Time | 15 hours, 18.3 days standby |
2
Best Budget Flip Phone
Alcatel Go Flip 4
2
Best Budget Flip Phone
Alcatel Go Flip 4
Pros
- Long talk time
- Internal, external color displays
- Lightweight
Cons
- Below average camera, no flash
- Rear speakerphone
If all you need is the basics and a degree of reliability, the Alcatel Go Flip 4 is a solid, if unremarkable, inexpensive, and widely available unlocked flip phone. This lightweight 4.7-ounce Alcatel option isn’t exactly dumb, though. It runs a version of KaiOS and packs key Google apps, including a web browser, YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Search, and includes large, easy-to-read numeric keys.
The Alcatel Go Flip 4 provides above-average talk and standby time, along with 4GB of storage space for music and photos that can be boosted up to 32GB via a separate microSD card.
Key Specs
| Camera | 2 MP, 480p video |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Talk Time | 12.7 hours, 18.4 days standby |
Pros
- Color touch screen
- External status screen
- Dust, water, drop resistant
Cons
- Below average front, rear cameras, video
- Heavy
The CAT is a “dumb” phone with some smart capabilities. Since this flip phone runs a version of Android and includes a physical numerical keypad (unlike smartphones), this CAT S22 is not a true “smart” flip phone such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip models or the Motorola Razr 2023 (which each have a huge touch screen and no physical keypad).
But this is one of the few, if not the only, “dumb” flip phones that we’ve run across that includes touch screen, which makes it far easier to access and operate the varying Android apps including the Chrome web browser, Gmail, Messages, music player, YouTube, and Google Maps.
Not only is the CAT S22 smart, it’s also tough thanks to its IP68 dust/water resistance and military MIL-STD-810H rating. There’s also a microSD card slot to bolster its already hefty 16GB memory.
Key Specs
| Camera | 5 MP rear, 2 MP rear |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Talk Time | 12 hours, 13 days standby |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Best Call Quality Flip Phone
Nokia 2780 Flip
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent and loud call quality
- Internal and external color screens
- Large numeric keys
Cons
- Below average talk time
- Long recharge time
You get a lot more than expected in this latest Nokia 2780 flip phone for less than $100, especially if you just plan to use it for chatting. It includes the latest 4G voice technologies, so conversations are clear, with plenty of volume through both the earpiece and the phone’s extra loud speakerphone. But you might have to frequently recharge the 2780; while it’s rated talk time is 7 hours, you may only get half that.
You do get some “smart” app features since the 2780 runs KaiOS, and you get a relatively decent camera, but the 2780’s main strength is its superior call quality.
Key Specs
| Camera | 5 MP |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Talk Time | 7 hours, 18 days standby |
5
Most Durable Flip Phone
Kyocera DuraXA Extreme
5
Most Durable Flip Phone
Kyocera DuraXA Extreme
Pros
- Long talk time
- Water, dust, drop proof
- Programmable keys
Cons
- Heavy
No phone maker builds tougher phones than Kyocera, and this DuraXA Extreme lives up to its rugged name. It’s IP68-rated dust proof and waterproof rated for up to 30 minutes in up to 6.5 feet of water, and drop proof up to 5 feet onto concrete. It's even approved for use in hazardous locations such as concentrations of flammable gases.
The phone's large keys are designed to be operated with gloves on, and its push-to-talk (PTT) capabilities turn it into a handy walkie-talkie. There is an extra loud speakerphone when holding it to your ear isn’t an option, and the battery life is long.
A similar model, the Kyocera DuraXA Equip, also is available from a variety of pre-paid carriers.
Key Specs
| Camera | 5 MP |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Talk Time | 56.8 hours, 18.3 days standby |
6
Best Smart Flip Phone
Motorola Razr 2023
Pros
- Long-lasting battery
- High-res camera
- Thumbprint unlocking
Cons
- Low built in memory
- Hard to open one-handed
The Motorola Razr 2023 is not only the least expensive smart foldable flip phone available, it also snaps excellent low-light photos and provides long “all-day” battery life. While measuring 2.91- by 3.47-inches when closed, the Razr 2023 opens to reveal a copious and bright 6.9-inch touch screen but weighs a mere 6.65 ounces.
Perhaps most impressive, the Razr 2023 is equipped with a massive 64 MP camera, providing far more resolution than the camera on the more expensive Razr 2023+ with excellent low light results.
Key Specs
| Camera | 64 MP rear, 32 MP front |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Talk Time | 28 hours, 21.6 hours standby |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Best Flip Phone for Seniors
Lively Jitterbug Flip2
Pros
- Large numeric keys
- Dedicated 24/7 urgent response button
- Live U.S.- based customer service
- Front selfie camera
- Lightweight
Cons
- Only compatible with one cellular service
For seniors or anyone else who just want ease of use as well as ease of mind, there’s no simpler flip phone than the inexpensive—but not cheap—Jitterbug Flip2. While the Jitterbug Flip2 runs only on Lively’s cell service, that’s not a bad thing. Lively provides 24/7 customer and health/safety emergency services at the touch of the large red star beneath the phone’s large keypad keys.
To better see phone numbers and other text details, the Jitterbug Flip2 is equipped with a more spacious 3.2-inch color screen and large print. And the red edition makes the Flip2 easy to spot in a purse or bag.
Key Specs
| Camera | 8 MP rear, 5 MP front |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 4.1 |
| Talk Time | 12 hours, 12.5 days standby |
For a Digital Detox, Try A Flip Phone. Expert Stewart Wolpin Shares Why to Give One a Spin.
Is a flip phone cheaper on a monthly basis than a smartphone?
Decidedly. Since flip phones are designed primarily for voice communications rather than data activities such as web surfing, music streaming, email, and texting, you don’t need to subscribe to high-priced “unlimited data” plans.
All carriers offer lower-end data plans for sometimes half the price of top monthly “unlimited data” plans that are more appropriate for a flip phone. Cheaper yet are limited data plans from prepaid carriers, often costing only around $15 a month.
If I have a flip phone, will I also need a smartphone?
There’s no need for you to own two phones of any kind unless you need a personal phone and a separate phone for work. The only reason to opt for a flip phone is because you’ve decided to get “off the grid,” not to have your nose eternally buried in your screen or be constantly bombarded by texts and emails.
Conversely, if you’re happy with a lifestyle that features a smartphone at its center, there’s certainly no need for a second flip phone.
For security reasons, is a flip phone safer since my banking info and other personal data won’t be stored on it like with my smartphone?
Of course. A flip phone stores little of your personal information of any kind other than your name, phone number, text messages if any, and your contact list. But if you use only a flip phone you obviously lose the convenience of paying for things with your phone.
Stewart Wolpin
Contributor
Stewart Wolpin, based in New York City, has been writing about, reporting on, and reviewing consumer technology for nearly 40 years. He also serves as the unofficial historian for CTA (Consumer Technology Association), the trade group that produces the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which he has attended and covered since 1984. He is also a huge Beatles fan and a METS season ticket holder.
