Nostalgic tech is back in fashion, as seen by the recent rise of the humble flip phone. Clamshell-style folding phones were most popular in the early 2000s, but continue to be the mobile of choice for those who don't enjoy feature-packed smartphones or need to step away from modern woes like social media. We've ranked the best flip phones based on design, connectivity, features, and value based on our own experience with them and customer reviews.
If you're looking for something a bit more modern and with smart features, see our guides to the best camera phones and the best iPhone 13 Pro Max prices. Or, if you're after a fold rather than a flip, then see our guide to the best fold phones.
The best flip phones available now
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The best flip phone for minimalists
Sold in: US/UK
Camera: 2MP
Operating system: KaiOS
Screen size: 2.8 inches
Connectivity: 4G
The sleek and minimalist Nokia 2720 Flip could be just what you need. It's light and petite, offering the best of both worlds: a sleek retro design with modern hardware where it counts. It has 4G connectivity, to boot!
A beautiful, retro-style flip phone
Sold in: UK and US
Camera: 12MP
Operating system: Android
Screen size: 6.7 inches
Connectivity: 5G
The Samsung Galazy Z Flip4 brought flip phones into the modern age, with a full range of modern features to boot. It's by far the best-looking flip phone available, but it doesn't come cheap.
A hardy flip phone that can take a beating
Sold in: US
Camera: 5MP
Operating system: Android 11 (Go)
Screen size: 2.8 inches
Connectivity: 4G
This rugged phone is great for accident-prone or adventurous callers, with IP68 protection against dust and water and a customisable side button. It's a T-Mobile exclusive in the US, so not quite as easily bought as others listed.
A hearing-aid-compatible flip phone
Sold in: US & UK
Camera: 0.3MP
Operating system: Nokia OS
Screen size: 2.8 inches
Connectivity: 3G
This super simple, super slick flip phone is perfect if you only need the basics - and even better if you use a hearing aid. It's got an inbuilt emergency button, big buttons and a big display, making it friendly for the elderly.
A good flip phone for socialising
Sold in: US and UK
Camera: 1.3MP
Operating system: Symbian
Screen size: 2.4 inches
Connectivity: 2G
This flip phone runs a very stripped-down version of Android 8.1 Oreo, but it can still run Facebook Lite and WhatsApp. It also has rear and front-facing cameras, 4GB of onboard storage, and a microSD card slot that supports up to 64GB.
A solid flip phone with accessible features
Sold in: US and UK
Camera: 3MP
Operating system: Doro OS
Screen size: 2.8 inches
Connectivity: 4G
Designed for seniors, the Doro 7030 has a big, high-contrast screen that's easy to see, an 'assistance' button that automatically sends location data to trusted contacts, and can be remotely controlled by another phone; but it is a little pricey.
How should I choose the best flip phone
If you're buying a new flip phone, you need to ask yourself a few key things.
Firstly, exactly how feature-packed do you want it to be? You could buy an older flip phone for cheap, but newer ones come with useful services like WhatsApp, cameras and cool games that older ones do.
Secondly, what balance between durability and fashion do you want the phone to make? Some devices aren't quite lookers, but can be durable to survive plenty of drops.
Price is another important factor too - obviously, the more you spend, the more you get, but some people might be happy getting the cheapest device they can in order to save cash.
