When my wife had to get a new phone to replace her old flip phone because the old one wouldn't work in 5G she opted for a flip phone.

I've been thinking of getting one myself and switching from T-Mobile to Consumer Cellular and saving about 100 bucks a month.

Apparently many people are having the same thoughts.  Found tis scrolling through google news this morning.

Dumbphones are continuing to enjoy a revival. Google searches for them jumped by 89% between 2018 and 2021, according to a report by software firm SEMrush.

And while sales figures are hard to come by, one report said that global purchases of dumbphones were due to hit one billion units last year, up from 400 million in 2019. This compares to worldwide sales of 1.4 billion smart phones last year, following a 12.5% decline in 2020.

Noel

So this new "flip phone" is not a smart phone and will work on the 5G network?

Define smartphone.  It receives and sends text messages but does not connect to the internet and has no  GPS and you can't call 'Siri' to ask what year Lincoln made the Gettysburg Address,

Noel

1 hour ago, birdguy said:

Define smartphone.  It receives and sends text messages but does not connect to the internet and has no  GPS and you can't call 'Siri' to ask what year Lincoln made the Gettysburg Address,

Noel

Yes, pretty much no internet access.  Use is for talking to another phone or sending text messages only.  That's what I have right now until TMoblie goes 5G in my area.

I bought one of these the other day. It's so cool to actually be able to make phone calls with that thing. I'm such a nerd. 🤣

Edited March 24, 20224 yr by Chock

I have  one so it makes me a nerd then right Alan? lol  I like the older ones better.  Charlie:  Perfect for me .  Noel: Smart move. Cheers gentlemen.

36 minutes ago, charliearon said:

That's what I have right now until TMoblie goes 5G in my area.

My wife had the same kind of phone you had.  We went to the T-Mobile store and we bought her a flip-phone they told us would work in 5G.

Noel

I had a Motorola flip phone once. Went to get a tyre puncture fixed, came out, messed about for  a bit, got in the car, drove off, and my flip phone was projected from the roof of my car into a main road.

Stopped the car, parked, got out, was just about to dash into the road to get it and a lorry came past and crushed it to death. 

But anyway, given how useful smartphones are... GPS when lost, internet available when info is required away from home, encrypted messages that urgently need to be listened to from the Feline Galactic Council. Or when at home, PC is off and need internet quickly... thanks for the flip phone offer, but I'll stick to my Galaxy S21 Ultra thanks. 

 

Had a flip phone for 19 years, had to stop using it because I could no longer get replacement batteries and it was having a hard time finding a signal.  Went straight to an iPhone 11.  Absolutely hated it until I learned many of its functions and features.  Now, I don't want to be without it.

2 hours ago, martin-w said:

I had a Motorola flip phone once. Went to get a tyre puncture fixed, came out, messed about for  a bit, got in the car, drove off, and my flip phone was projected from the roof of my car into a main road.

Stopped the car, parked, got out, was just about to dash into the road to get it and a lorry came past and crushed it to death. 

But anyway, given how useful smartphones are... GPS when lost, internet available when info is required away from home, encrypted messages that urgently need to be listened to from the Feline Galactic Council. Or when at home, PC is off and need internet quickly... thanks for the flip phone offer, but I'll stick to my Galaxy S21 Ultra thanks. 

 

Best of both worlds...  I have the new Motorola Razr and love it, my wife has the new Galaxy Z-Flip and loves it.    The form factor, outside screen so I don't ever have to open it and the retro razr make it such a cool phone.  Not to mention the questions every time someone sees it lol... 

https://www.motorola.com/us/smartphones-razr-gen-2/p?skuId=464

Edited March 25, 20224 yr by psolk

I just got a notification from T-Mobile that by July 1, I need to upgrade or replace my phone because of their switch to 3 or 5G service.  I wonder if that means maybe just a new SIM card to be put into my existing phone, for whatever the price is, and to be able to continue using the prepaid service?  I'll have to stop by and check it out!

Your old phone might not work Charlie.  We had to buy a new one for Betty.  

Noel

3 hours ago, psolk said:

I have the new Motorola Razr and love it,

 

That looks nice. Does it have a crease where the screen folds? 

Edited March 25, 20224 yr by martin-w

25 minutes ago, martin-w said:

 

That looks nice. Does it have a crease where the screen folds? 

It's actually not noticeable when it's open.  It's pretty darn cool 🙂 

Is there ANY phone that is just a phone without a camera and games and GPS and all that unnecessary stuff if all you need it for is to communicate?

Noel