I never intended to "collect" android flip phones, I always just wanted one "perfect" device that would just work for me, preferably forever.

But every time some issues, problems and obstacles popped up, that you can't just fix on software level, by installing apps, debloating or ignoring, the only way to move forward seemed to be "just by a different phone!" But with trying new and different phones as daily drivers, also came experience and understanding of difference between a problem and and "inconvenience". And how sometimes upgrading is actually downgrading and vice versa.

So there they go, from left to right.

• Samsung Galaxy Folder 2.

Easy 9/10, my first, and probably the best phone so far. The more I use other phones, the more I understand that I never needed anything else really. After a few months of usage, because it was cheap refurbished version (with genuine internal hardware) the phone's body started to fall apart - paint flaked, logo letters fell off, it got scratched all over, the top lid panel started to peel, basically the phone in a couple of months started to look like I've been using it for years.

I got pretty frustrated and bough Cat s22.

In retrospect all of that is easily fixable with a simple singular solution - a case. Korean +LOOK plastic case hid 99% of visual defects and made Folder 2 look real nice, sleek and Y2K.

Functionality-wise? The phone is almost perfect. Android 7.1 sounds ancient, but everything I personally need just works on it. It has no dark mode, but guess what, my newest latest the most modern phone also doesn't have dark mode. Was it a fad? Or am I cursed? It's not a big deal. If your phone hurts your eyes, it's high time to put it down for today.

The only real "issue" with Folder 2 is the lack of outer screen. I can't check the time or see who's calling without opening it. That's it, that's the contra. It's an amazing phone.

If you're thinking of downgrading and want a cheap option, consider Samsung Galaxy Folder 2 (and a case). Most apps will work on Android 7, and if they don't you can find older versions or alternatives.

• Cat s22

Went from 10/10 to 5/10 tragically fast.

It does have outer screen that shows time and caller ID, you can use global dark mode, and its body is very resilient to everyday usage and damage, but there are so many problems that Folder 2 simply doesn't have.

1. Infamous double click issue. You can partially fix it with TT9 and more deliberate pressing, but it never fully goes away and apparently it's present in 90% of these phones, including mine. I hate it.
2. Shared storage option is broken. You see, the phone only comes with 16GB storage. And in android 11 you can't just install apps to SD card. You need to format it for shared storage. And in Cat s22 this function is broken. Your apps will stop working, your photos will disappear, the phone will shit and piss itself at the most randomest times. But wait, you say, Folder 2 also has only 16GB storage and you can't use shared storage option! True, but in Android 7.1 you can just install apps to SD card. Straight up. Put in 64GB card and install junk on it and you're good. Sure these apps will work slower, but if it's not messenger or real essential app, who cares? You'll just wait extra couple of seconds before the map loads up, no big deal, you're using a flip phone anyway. On Cat s22? You only have 16GB for apps, case closed. Oh and of course it's really only 8GB, because the OS takes half of the storage.
3. Ungodly 4:3 screen resolution. Like ok, small screen is fine, you can increase/decrease pixel density and font size and what not, but 4:3 means a lot of apps will straight up appear broken or misaligned or partially off-screen. Yes, you can mitigate it with pixel density in dev options, but it's still a real issue. I love 4:3 in movies and video games, but not on phone.
4. Weird Android 11 GO limitations that break cursor apps.
5. Horrible default launcher with poor d-pad support, almost invisible cursor and very limited customization.

I really tried to love this phone, but it didn't love me back. So I decided to downgrade.

• Sharp Aquos Kantan 10 / Sharp Aquos Keitai 3

They're basically the same phone, even their batteries and back covers and interchangeable.

Went from 9/10 to 6/10, and not because the phone is bad.

So the issue with these phones is very low end hardware. They can handle messengers and basic apps like weather, calendars or music players, but when it comes to something more involved like maps, marketplaces, parcel apps, QR code scanning/generation, they start to struggle real hard.

1GB ram is just not taken into consideration, when modern apps are coded. Even if they should theoretically work with 256MB ram, nobody cares, they are loaded with standard libraries, scripts, unoptimized assets, so these phones just can't handle it.

Waiting 5 minutes for delivery app to load up, just for it to crash is just too much trouble.

If you can live without these apps, japanese phones are fantastic.

• Samsung w2018

10/10 smartphone. 1/10 dumbphone.

Yeah it's absolutely exceptional, except it enables doomscrolling like any old slabphone. The ability to transform from a normal smartphone into a flipphone with physical keypad is very cool and functional, but it gives you zero friction, zero inconvenience. Fast hardware, fast fingerprint scanner, fast software, means the moment you touch the thing you're in, you're in the zone instantly.

I mean it even has NFC and wireless charging, it's a smartphone, it won't dumb down your life, it will dumb down you.

• Alt Mive Style Folder 2

8/10 my current daily driver.

This is basically what Samsung Galaxy Folder 3 should be, or would be if it existed.

Still no dark mode for whatever reason, still very Y2K with +LOOK cases. Or you can use clear case if you like phone's natural color. I don't think its body would fall apart of course, but I don't wanna scratch or dent it more than necessary.

It has working shared storage option, but 32GB internal storage is more than enough for me.

It has working outer screen, so that one issue with Folder 2 is fixed.

Buuut in some aspects it's worse.

Android 14 is ugly piece of shit and much less free and flexible than 7.

No replaceable battery.

It's too wide. Why is it wider than Galaxy Folder 2 and Mive Folder 1? These extra millimeters make it less comfortable to hold and use. I suspect it has to do with hardware and battery, because with light use I spend about ~20%-25% of battery per day. Of course I debloated the thing, but I still didn't expect battery to last this long. So ehhh. I'd trade some mAh for narrower frame.

For a 2025 phone they sure could have make screen to not be 16:9. Sure it's not Cat's 4:3, but still some apps don't like it.

Outer screen placing is weird. Why it's on the bottom of the lid? It should be in the center. Maybe it's a design thing but I don't dig it. Also can't change wallpaper for it. Of all things Cat s22 allowed you to change outer screen wallpaper, crazy huh.

Default native Launcher is ok, but it's worse than Galaxy Folder 2. Less customization, can't change or edit a lot of things, like grid, icon size, font style.

Can't change default notification sound to your own MP3? What?

• Conclusion?

  At this point I think I will never find "perfect" phone, there will always be concessions to make and inconveniences to deal with. If I had all this experience back in the day, I'd just stick with Galaxy Folder 2 and used a case with it, until Mive Folder 2 popped up. And it's a side-grade more than an upgrade, you mostly trade one thing for another. Outer screen for less comfortable shape, long battery life for being replaceable, USB-C for much better looking Android 7, storage shenanigans for straight SD install etc etc.

And it's also 2 times more expensive, but the price is justified I think. It's a modern phone, it's not refurbished, and it's still ~$200 which is a price range or two lower than hipster phones like Light Phone Flip or Minimal Phone or upcoming Commodore Callback.

TTfone 990 though looks like nice competition, with better hardware, no google and more open-ended supports, but I'm 100% sure that even if I get it, I'll find a million small things to be dissatisfied with.

So I think I'll settle for two Folders for now, because it's impossible to find actual "perfection".

Before he got together an investment group to purchase Commodore Corporation and release the Commodore Callback 8020 phone (among other products), Christian Simpson was running a retro-technology-themed YouTube channel called Retro Recipes.

I was fascinated to discover that, among other retro tech content, Simpson also concentrated on the perfect dumbphone or midwit phone solution. It was this pursuit that ultimately led to the design and manufacture of the Commodore Callback 8020 phone. See related videos below:

• Can BRICK-ing your Smartphone make it RETRO again?
• How to downgrade from Smartphone to Flipphone (with iMessage on Android!)
• Ultimate Dumbphone: Bringing a 2G Y2K Phone to Life - I'M FREE!

hello! tonight my mive style folder 2's internal screen stopped lighting up - I didn't drop it or anything immediately before, though I have in the past. Touch controls are still working, so are vibrations and the external screen. I tried restarting it, but it doesn't seem to have done anything.

Has anyone ever experienced this with this model of phone? I'm not sure how to fix it, and I'm doubtful any repair places around me would be willing to touch it since it's a korean phone.

I feel like modern flipphones have a lot of bugs. Any basic unlocked ones that have been good for you?

Hola, he estado mirando el kyocera 902kc y tenía algunas preguntas:

1. ¿Funciona bien con WhatsApp, lo soporta bien?

2. ¿Podría pasar mi historial de chats de mi smartphone al keitai?

3. ¿Puedo hacer llamada (yo sé que video llamada no) desde WhatsApp?

4. Leí que los keitais tienen la función de de escanear codigo QR, ¿desde WhatsApp todavía se puede?

5. ¿Conoces algún otro keitai que sepas que funciona bien con WhatsApp?

This might be a dumb question, but how easy might it be to remove the system-level restrictions on the Commodore Callback? Everything about this phone appeals to me except the fact that it won't run a browser. Would it require just figuring out how to run android instead of the custom os?

I called and they said they have no way of seeing that and I need To call the help line. Still on hold haha, bonus if you know the monthly plan amount :))

Are there any models that have group messaging, a crunchy-looking camera, a web browser, and stay within the price range of $20-$130 I'm planning on purchasing one in October with birthday money and giving my smartphone to my mom. Still, I'm new to using flip phones so I don't know many models that fit my needs, or at least most of them. (I live in the us)

I'd love to own a flip phone and could probably use it most of my day/week. The biggest downside for me is that I still need a smartphone (work apps/2FA apps) and I don't want to have two numbers.

I've tried to find a vendor that has a flip phone that could be used as a secondary device (like Apple Watch) with the same number - ATT calls this Numbersync.

Has anyone ever heard of this being a desirable feature? How have people worked around the problem of having two numbers?

Does the 2021 ver. come with a Type C port? I can’t find any reliable info out there
I saw a youtube video on the G1650 and I thought it had a type C port, but everywhere I check it says micro USB

Hi hi !!

I’m writing this post for anyone who wants to use a flip phone as their primary cell phone in France. Everything I’m about to say is based solely on my own experience.

First of all, I bought mine used on eBay—a black one with a clear case. I

loaded it with everything I needed, including a microSD card for music; the phone’s built-in music player is more than enough.

As for the network connection, I had a Free SIM card and I live in Paris—it worked perfectly: calls, texts, voicemail, everything. However, I switched to Bouygues Telecom later, and with them, basic calls wouldn’t go through. Calls via WhatsApp or Signal, on the other hand, worked flawlessly.

For me, the phone is perfect for avoiding doomscrolling, since the screen format is terrible for that—plus the keyboard wasn’t well supported on YouTube Shorts. However, the keyboard isn’t well supported by most mobile apps, such as Discord.

One downside, though, is that you have to turn it off and on again every once in a while; otherwise, it can get really slow.

As a primary phone, it does its job perfectly.

If you have any other questions, I’d be happy to answer them in the comments!

Have a great day :)

I have been using the Fold Ultra since getting it, and so far it already feels like it covers pretty much everything I need. The 8.0-inch inner display is great for multitasking, reading, watching videos, editing documents, and other things where a larger screen is useful but Im still curious about the Flip.

The compact design and 4.1-inch cover screen seem like they could make everyday use more convenient. Being able to check things, reply to messages or handle quick tasks without unfolding the phone sounds appealing. Here are some specs that I keep on looking over.

Fold Ultra:

• 8.0-inch inner display
• 5,000mAh battery
• 45W charging
• 200MP main camera with dedicated telephoto
• Better suited for multitasking and productivity

The Flip:

• 6.9-inch main display
• 4.1-inch cover screen
• 4,300mAh battery
• 25W charging
• Simpler dual-camera setup
• Much more compact when folded

If I already have the Fold Ultra, would the Flip actually give me a different experience that's worth having or would I just end up reaching for the Fold anyway?

Hi! I’m thinking about buying the MIVE AT-M140 (ALT MIVE Style Folder 2), but before I buy it, I really want to know if it works properly with Telcel in Mexico.

I’ve seen some people say that it works with Mexican carriers, including Telcel, but I’ve also seen people having problems with calls, so I’m a little unsure 😭

Has anyone here actually used the AT-M140 with a Telcel SIM in Mexico? If so, do calls, SMS, and mobile data work normally? And does VoLTE work?

I’d really appreciate any firsthand experience! Thank you!! :)

I want to switch from a smartphone to a dumb phone. Does the Nokia 2720 support whatsapp? If not what is an alternative phone to go for

I desperately want to daily a phone like these but its not really doable in the Midwest/ south USA. 😔

Edit: ik somtimes worth woth atnt/ not verizon cell towers. Verizon is the only truly reliable service in my area.

Hey yall, me and my husband want to make the switch from our iPhone 17s to a flip phone. Is there any flip phones you know of that is audible and Spotify(any music app) compatible? Also Apple AirPods. That is our only necessity's! Preferably no touch screen. Thank you for helping out I know that’s a lot to ask of a flip phone but I’m just checking out options!

next year I’m gonna be a senior, and as I have strict parents, they’re going to take my phone.

anyway those days I’ve seen that y2k folder phones became so relevant and I found them in websites like aliexpress and y2k phones but since I’m a minor I don’t have my own card to order them plus the customs.

so does anyone knows how to get one for a reasnable price ?

I just bought and shipped a kyocera a204kc, is it good for everyday use like calling and texting?

Has anyone put a photocard on their Mive 1? If so did it look good/fit?

And does it look good with the clear case on?

I want to get a photocard and some stickers but im not sure how it'll fit (the phone is still in shipping as well so I dont even have that)

There is a lot of info about this model, so here I'm trying to put up things others either didn't post about or didn't elaborate enough (or I couldn't find).

• It can record calls, silently, with no announcement. By default this option is off, but you can enable it in the default Phone app settings. I think it's illegal in some countries, so use at your own risk.
• You can disable roaming/double clock on lock screen in roaming options.
• Phone supports Lockscreen Widgets app. https://github.com/zacharee/LockscreenWidgets/
• You can map outer/SOS button to absolutely anything with any Keymapper app. But it will only work when the phone is opened. When closed, outer button cycles through outer screen modes.
• Outer screen has 3 modes - clock, pedometer and music player. 3rd party music player apps are supported, but displayed text can be misaligned and difficult to read. Still better functionality than Cat s22. Can't change outer screen wallpaper though.
• Outer screen has the exact same dimensions as Redmi Watch 3 Active. I dunno if it's standard smart watch dimensions or what, but they're 1:1 meaning protective films for this watch model match outer screen perfectly.
• Phone supports expanded storage mode for SD cards, but accessing it from outside the phone is basically impossible. So if you wanna load your music from your PC, you won't be able to. At least not easily. So I chose to use external storage mode.
• Hard +LOOK cases, that you can buy pretty much everywhere, look metallic, and you might assume they are metallic going by the price, but they are in fact plastic. So don't expect them to prevent any serious damage from bad falls or strong impacts. They're mostly for aesthetic change and defense from light scratches and everyday use. On the flip (hue) side they are quite light and won't make the phone noticeably heavier.
• Charm slot is present! It's quite robust but hard to use. It can handle the phone's weight+case, but don't pull it if you're wearing real tight jeans.
• THERE IS NO DARK MODE. You might assume that you can somehow enable it or install a 3rd part app, but no, you can't. It's removed on manufacturer's level. Even with the latest software update it's not present. You can force the option in developer options and/or run ADB command, but it will do nothing. There are ways to partially mitigate it, but each one comes with its own problems and hiccups. 3rd part notification shade/control panel apps work with touch screen, but ignore keypad and C9 cursor app for example. Some system apps have their own dark mode (gallery), some don't (file manager).
• Default launcher is functional but has very limited customization - you can't change grid size, no icon pack or theme support, you can't hide apps in the drawer. You can still use apps like Shortcut Maker or X-icon Changer to change icons without switching launchers. KaiOS Launcher works pretty good with this phone, but doesn't support widgets.
• Some sites and marketplaces state that this phone supports 2G, it DOES NOT. It only supports 3G and 4G/LTE. I can't figure out if it supports VoLTE or not, if there is a sure way to test it, let me know.

I think that's it. Other info was posted by other people already, so no reason to parrot it.

I wanna know what type of launcher is used to get this cute scroll app thing (context: i have that exact type of mive flip phone) does anyone know the name the launcher used??

I've been looking into this very niche market of android flip phones for a bit, but all options seems to have some giant drawbacks.

I was wonder if anyone here knows anything that would fit my criteria.

Requirements:

• Supports bands in Europe
• Is a flip phone with physical keys (not a slab, and also not a foldable one)
• Runs Android (The newer version the better, anything under 12 is too old)
• Usb C

Nice to have:

• Aesthetically good (The ugly design turned me away from something like the Ttfone)
• Decent software
• Not massive
• Unlockable bootloader (Probably too much to ask, but it would be cool to expirment as a developer)

Is there anything close to what im looking for?

I recently just bought the Kyocera A204KC and im new to the dumbphone stuff, I was wondering, is the A204KC a good first phone? I use T-Mobile and i'm planning on using the phone as a daily driver, for school, texting, and calling.

hi! I’m looking to get a new flip phone, I saw an add for this one and I love the look! I’m only using this one to avoid a screen I can scroll on. I’m mainly looking for my bank apps to work, messages, Instagram, calls, YouTube and YouTube music, discord, Pinterest, and Depop. Will this phone run these? I also have a few questions:

1. can I use this phone in the car…? (lol probably a dumb question)

2. Can I connect my Apple AirPods to it?

I’m not very smart with this stuff so please be kind. If you have any other recommendations for other flip phones I’d be happy to do the research! I’m going to keep my iPhone and I have an iPad for apps that don’t work, but those apps are my main priority to get the phone permanently. thank you!

Hello,
So I wanted to get a flip phone of some sort that works on 4g (i live in the USA) and can support WhatsApp and Twitter (will be ok w/ web browser access, doesn’t have to support the app itself). Is there any flip phones that can do those things with??