The popularity of dumb phones has been rising in recent years. The devices, which often have limited data connections, basic cameras, and none of the high-tech capabilities of modern smartphones, are ideal for emerging markets, festivals, and people who don't need all the features of the latest handsets.
Read more: Nokia 3310 review: the retro fun is short lived
By far the biggest hype around a new dumb phone has been the re-branding and re-release of the Nokia 3310. The £50 device offers some retro nostalgia and is rather expensive for a dumb device but has created thousands of column inches of news coverage.
Yet, away from popular view, another retro favourite is more quietly having a resurgence – the flip phone. In recent weeks two new models have been announced with more lined up for the months ahead.
Last week, Verizon launched its basic LG Exalt LTE phone that only runs on 4G. The device has a 3-inch screen, large tactile buttons, and promises a 10-day battery standby time. It features a text-to-speech function that reads your messages out loud, a 5MP camera, and 8GB of internal storage. It can also operate as a hotspot and comes in at $168 (£132).
In South Korea, Samsung has taken things further by releasing a flip phone with more smart capabilities. Called the Galaxy Folder 2, the phone has 3GB of RAM, a 1.4GHz quad-core processor, microSD slot, and runs Android 6.0. It will be released in both 3G and 4G versions.
Samsung's flip phone comes in metallic pink/purple and has 16GB of internal memory, an 8MP main camera, plus a 5MP selfie camera. The phone was originally released in China in 2016 and has now moved into the Korean market.
Samsung also reportedly has plans to release another flip phone this year. The device, which only has a model number of SM-G1650 at present, looks to have a screen on the front-flipping part of the phone and large keyboard buttons. An image of another high-end Samsung flip phone, called the Samsung W2017, was leaked earlier in 2017.
The two companies aren't the only manufacturers to be bringing flip phones back, though. Alcatel has launched the Go Flip, a heavy duty flip phone from Japanese firm Torque has been revealed and there's even knock-off versions of Louis Vuitton flip phones doing the rounds.
However, it's highly unlikely we'll see the return of the most nostalgic flip phone of all time. In June 2016, Moto denied it was bringing back the Razr.
As technology moves forward there could be an increase in the number of phones that can fold. While not conventional flip phones, bendable screens are in development and Microsoft, Lenovo, Samsung and more are working to produce displays that can flex to a user's needs.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
