Rating of flip phones
Although our team consists mainly of young people, everyone has used push-button phones at one time and knows perfectly well what they are and for what purposes they are used. We have studied the modern impoverished market for folding beds and offer the result of our labor.
It was difficult to compare only by technical characteristics, because the models are too different. In addition to them, we relied on user reviews, test results and expert opinions. To determine the final grade, the following were taken into account:
- First of all, the quality of communication.
- Support for two SIM cards, their mode of operation.
- Battery capacity, battery life of the device.
- The size of the display and fonts - small letters are poorly perceived, some will not see them at all.
- Multimedia functions: FM radio, player.
- Internet – the ability to exchange messages and visit websites.
- Memory card support if multimedia functions are available.
- Additional options, such as a flashlight.
- Signal volume is especially important for elderly people and those working in noisy environments.
Most of the criteria did not play a special role, because a simple telephone is a means of communication, and not a camera or an entertainment center, but sometimes they decided the fate of the model: whether it would make it to the top or not.
Phones capable of supporting memory cards up to 32 GB
Digma LINX A205 2G
Before us is another model of domestic development, but Chinese assembly. Initially, this phone was created for older people who spend most of their time outside the city. However, some others prefer to use it for work purposes, such as for business trips or business trips. The folding phone has a high-power GSM module installed, so it is able to receive and send a signal regardless of the conditions. Users note that this device does not have any communication problems. The model has good display clarity, compact overall dimensions and high-quality assembly.
The user will always hear the phone ringing, since the speaker here is quite powerful, which makes the device suitable for people working in noisy environments or for the hearing impaired. If necessary, the sound signal can be turned off completely - in this case, the built-in vibration motor will report the call. The battery capacity is 600 mAh. At first glance, this may not seem like too much, but such capabilities are enough to charge the device only once a week.
Advantages:
- Very loud speaker - can be heard from several tens of meters away;
- Compact overall dimensions;
- You can only charge it once a week.
- Excellent build quality.
More: Top 10 best smartphones under 5,000 rubles
Flaws:
- Weak camera;
- Small display diagonal;
- Monolithic keyboard - people with poor vision find it difficult to find the right key.
Digma LINX A205 2G
Fly Flip
This folding phone is a joint product of British and domestic engineers, although, like most devices, it is assembled in Chinese factories. It is worth noting the significant functionality of this folding bed. There is everything for convenient operation of the device: you can search for the required contact by the first letters, set up automatic conversation recording, the menu is very fast, you can insert a number from the phone book into a message by pressing a couple of buttons. There are also no complaints about the controllability of the device - the product can be easily unfolded with just one hand. Here on the keyboard there is a joystick that is very convenient to use.
The device has a much larger screen compared to other similar devices, the font size is optimal, but it can be adjusted if necessary. The body is made of reliable plastic, which fits comfortably in the hand, but at the same time looks average.
Advantages:
- Well thought out functionality;
- It is possible to customize the phone completely to suit you;
- Long battery life;
- There is a slot for installing a memory card;
- Easy to manage.
Flaws:
- Small amount of own memory;
- Just one ringtone to install on your phone.
Fly Flip
Panasonic KX-TU456RU
This model appeared on the domestic market in February of this year - it is the newest of the phones in our review. The key target audience for this device includes the elderly and primary school children. For this reason, the products have all the qualities that are most important to them: reasonable price, convenient and easy-to-read fonts, carefully thought-out ergonomics of the keys, acceptable display size. There is also a speed dial feature. There is no camera here, and there is no additional slot for a SIM card either, but there is a whole set of original features.
In terms of tactile sensations, this phone is more reminiscent of stationary devices from the same manufacturer. In particular, it is weighty, quite reliable, and characterized by a strict design. The case has shockproof protection, and it can easily withstand a fall from a height of one and a half meters.
Advantages:
- Stylish, but rather strict appearance;
- Long-term work in offline mode;
- The case is protected from physical influences;
- Long service life;
- High quality communication.
Flaws:
- The plastic on the inside is a little dirty - fingerprints are visible.
Panasonic KX-TU456RU
Philips Xenium E255
This is one of the few companies that today has not abandoned the production of mobile phones in classic case form factors, and the choice is quite large. The initial idea was to produce a device that could work stably in offline mode for 1-2 weeks instead of the usual 1-2 days.
The model turned out to be not too expensive, but the design of the case is very original. Literally at first glance, the branded quality becomes noticeable. The body is well assembled and there is no feeling of flimsiness. The display diagonal is large, has good contrast, and responds almost instantly when opened. The screen has a rubber stop, so it will not rub off on the keyboard, and there is a Bluetooth module.
Advantages:
- Branded quality of the manufacturing company;
- Many different useful functions;
- Designed for children and the elderly;
- Reasonable cost;
- Can work for a long time without recharging.
Flaws:
- Not detected.
Philips Xenium E255 - Wow! flip phone or just a phone? Review of mobile Philips E255
Philips Xenium E255
Best dual-screen flip phones
The second screen located on the lid will show who is calling and display the text of the incoming message. It displays the time and date, eliminating the need to open the device again. Firstly, the intensity of the demolition of the opening mechanism is reduced, and secondly, you can answer calls by lifting the lid. This affects the ease of use of the mobile phone.
Nokia 2720 Flip Dual sim
A stylish flip phone, a new product that has acquired thousands of fans who prefer old-school devices to smartphones. Will greatly reduce the amount of time spent on your mobile phone. Equipped with a 2.8-inch display and a regular keyboard that turns typing into a nightmare. On the other hand, save time by sending an audio message via messenger. The device has a lot of applications: WhatsApp, Google Maps, Facebook, mail. Over Wi-Fi and 4G, cards with voice messages are loaded quickly.
For exchanging data with other devices and listening to music through headphones, there is Bluetooth (not compatible with all headset models). A 1.1 GHz dual-core processor with 512 MB of RAM copes with low-resolution video playback and simple games.
Advantages:
- Nice design.
- Support 4G, Wi-Fi.
- Long battery life.
- There are messaging apps.
- Setting ringtones for each contact.
Flaws:
- It's difficult to correspond.
A productive phone that makes you look at the world in a new way. It has the Internet, a messenger, a player, but it doesn’t reach a smartphone.
BQ 2814 Shell Duo
A flip phone for seniors with a second full display. Loud speakers sound even more intense if the device is placed on a hard surface with the display facing up. The vibration signal, if the device is in a pocket with the sound turned off, is let down by a weak vibration motor. The volume control buttons are located on the right, and when opening the device with the right hand, they can be accidentally pressed. The TFT matrix distorts colors when viewed from the side.
The lack of built-in memory is compensated by a flash drive up to 32 GB. The built-in player only handles MP3 files. A huge plus, compared to competitors, is that it picks up radio stations without headphones and plays them through the speaker. The camera's LED flash can work as a flashlight. Micro-USB is used for charging and file sharing.
Advantages:
- Appearance.
- Build quality.
- Bright display.
- Autonomy.
- Bluetooth v3.0.
Flaws:
- It's hard to open.
A classic push-button dialer with the ability to listen to the radio without plugs.
Economy class devices
INOI 247B
A very compact design - it is equipped with a separate keyboard, all the keys are very clearly labeled, have LED backlighting, so information is clearly visible even in direct sunlight. The menu here is very simple, which makes the phone optimally suitable for older people; an SOS panic button is provided. The phone is equipped with a very bright LED flashlight and a radio. It comes with a wired headset that can be used as headphones.
The design is very original - the phone is produced in a red and black format, there are several additional features, for example, a Bluetooth module, there are also two slots for SIM cards, so the device can easily be used as a mobile device. The kit includes an original docking station that can make life much easier for the user. The battery will always be charged, and the phone itself will be very easy to find. From a distance you can clearly see whether the battery is charged or not. One of the SIM card slots can be used to install a microSD memory card, the volume of which should not exceed 8 GB.
Advantages:
- Very stylish appearance;
- Bright backlight – information on the keys is clearly visible even under bright sunlight;
- The set comes with an original docking station;
- The body is made of high-quality plastic of increased strength - it can withstand any physical impact well.
Flaws:
- The camera is rather weak;
- The selection of standard ringtones is small.
INOI 247B
Olmio F18
Compact, very light and inexpensive model - its weight is only 64 grams. It is sold in red or gold color; as a rule, this phone is preferred by the fair sex. It has everything you need in a folding bed and even a little more. The phone is characterized by multi-voice polyphony and a loud speaker, so the call will be heard over a long distance, in addition, the product is suitable for people with hearing impairments. The device is equipped with a high-quality GSM module, which ensures high quality communication and connection stability. There is a lithium-ion battery installed here, the resource of which will last for a couple of weeks in standby mode, which allows you not to charge the phone for a long time.
More: Top 10 best professional microphones
In addition, the folding bed is equipped with a radio receiver, there is also an LED flashlight, and it is quite bright, there is a stopwatch, a voice recorder and an alarm clock. A nice addition is the camera, whose resolution is 0.8 megapixels. With its help, you can take photos and shoot videos, although you won’t be able to shoot too much, since the memory capacity is insignificant - only 32 MB. The display diagonal is 2.4 inches, the keyboard has independent keys, and is backlit.
Advantages:
- High quality manufacturing and assembly;
- Low weight of the device;
- Retains battery charge for a long time;
- Loud speaker and polyphonic ringer;
- Full color display;
- Long service life.
Flaws:
- The information displayed on the screen is quite small - it will not be very convenient for older people.
Olmio F18
LEXAND A2 Flip phone
This model was developed by domestic engineers; it was initially produced at Russian factories, but later production was transferred to Chinese industrial facilities. Such a phone will be optimal for users who expect only voice communication and short messages from the device. On the front panel of the case you can find original and quite beautiful curlicues that women really like. However, it is worth noting that this pattern also has a certain practical function - under it you can find three LED indicators at once. The body is made of plastic with a matte coating. No dirt is visible on it, and it is not slippery at all.
In the center of the lid there is a circle, which is a special button - it allows you to activate an additional touch panel, represented by 10 numbers and two additional keys: answering a call and hanging up. Using this button, making calls has become much faster, and you don’t even have to open the phone to do this. The keys are large and have bright LED backlighting.
Advantages:
- Reasonable cost;
- Decent workmanship and assembly quality;
- Original backlit touch panel;
- Long service life;
- Works for a long time without recharging.
Flaws:
- Quite limited functionality.
LEXAND A2 Flip phone
Best touchscreen flip phone
Almost no one produces touchscreen clamshells. They are not in demand for a number of reasons (inconvenient to use, very expensive to produce), so there was nothing to choose from. The Chinese have not yet mastered this niche. The only option worthy of attention costs as much as a flagship smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
A phone with a folding OLED display is a complex engineering solution where everything needs to be linked at the software and hardware levels. The continuous folding display does not distort the picture when opened, allowing you to install the phone like a laptop. When unfolded, it is a widescreen smartphone with a thin body. The frame is made of metal, the back panel is made of glass. The screen quality of the picture corresponds to Galaxy S devices, if you do not take into account the replacement of the fold at the bend when the picture is dark. More content is placed on it when viewing sites, documents, books. The settings are full of options for color management. Near the camera there is a second AMOLED screen with notifications and time.
The 7nm Snapdragon 855+ chipset is used as a platform. Equipped with 8 GB of RAM, built-in storage of 256 GB is not expandable. The phone can handle any Android game. The main dual camera is of an average level and takes decent pictures at dusk, in artificial light, and in the dark. Records videos with 2K resolution and slow-motion video in Full HD with HDR10+ dynamic range. The app is identical to the S20 Plus camera. Implemented 8x digital zoom, multi-shot, shooting mode while driving. The battery will last up to 1.5 days with moderate use at medium display brightness. For a working day, he will only be imprisoned for games.
Advantages:
- Original design with folding display.
- Performance.
- Camera capabilities.
- Modern communications, except 5G.
Flaws:
- Price.
- No SD card slot.
- Display flickering.
The only representative with a full folding display and smartphone capabilities.
How to choose a flip phone
The top list includes only inexpensive flip phones. Despite the few functions, in order to correctly buy a push-button mobile, you should consider where and by whom it will be used, what capabilities it should have. From our experience, we suggest paying attention to the following indicators.
Screen size
Most clamshells have a screen diagonal of no more than 2.5 inches. The main thing is that it is bright enough to perceive the text on a sunny day, and contrasting. When buying for an elderly person, pay attention to the size of the fonts - preferably larger, otherwise the grandmother or grandfather will have to look closely.
Battery capacity
Don’t pay too much attention to the battery capacity; a push-button clamshell is not a smartphone. A 700-800 mAh battery will last for at least a week with calls of about an hour a day. Radio, listening to music, audio books drain the battery faster.
Camera
If you buy a dialer, think twice about whether it’s worth paying extra for the camera. Apart from the Galaxy Z Flip, they are designed to be - take long shots. Decent pictures are obtained only in daylight outside, if viewed on the phone display.
Functionality
A telephone is primarily a device for maintaining communication. If you and the subscriber can be clearly heard, the network is not lost when moving away from the city or base tower - the right choice has been made. Among the additional features you may need: a calculator, an alarm clock, a notebook for notes, a browser with Internet access support. The second display will show the time who is calling.
Look for radio support and a slot for a memory card (with music, books). Listen to the signal volume, make sure it is sufficient for an elderly person. It's nice to put different ringtones on inboxes from different people, different SIM cards. Not all phone models support assigning photos to contacts, please pay attention to this.
Which flip phone is better?
After a long analysis of the market, choosing inexpensive models that people are interested in, studying and comparing dozens of models, we are ready to tell you which folding bed is worth buying. Take a closer look at:
- F+ Ezzy Trendy1 is a bright communication device that works as a dialer, MP-3 player, and FM receiver. There is an emergency call and support for a 16 GB memory card.
- Nokia 2720 Flip Dual sim - a cellular phone for maintaining communications over several channels. It has popular instant messengers, an email client, and Google Maps installed, but typing text on a classic keyboard is inconvenient; it’s easier to use voice messages.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is an expensive, but original phone for girls. Combines the capabilities of a smartphone, has a unique design and engineering solutions.
The popularity of flip phones has fallen as smartphones have taken over the market, but they have not completely disappeared. Such devices remain in demand for people who do not need multimedia functions or even mobile Internet. Exceptions to the rule are the Galaxy Z Flip and Nokia 2720.
#7 – F+ Ezzy Trendy1
Price: 1,404 rubles
The seventh line of the rating, which includes folding mobile phones, goes to F+ Ezzy Trendy1. The device is interesting because its keyboard has a bright backlight, which allows you to operate the device even in complete darkness. The device supports simultaneous operation of two SIM cards. The connection is stable, including outside the city, where modern top providers often cannot offer anything other than zero antenna divisions.
Additionally, the device has an FM radio and an MP3 player, so if something happens, you can listen to your favorite songs from it. True, for this you will definitely have to use a flash drive, since the built-in memory is only 16 MB. The autonomy is pleasing - a full charge of the 800 mAh battery lasts for 5 days. The downside is the lack of T9.
F+ Ezzy Trendy1