It has long been known that the simpler the technique, the more reliable it is and will last longer. This fully applies to mobile phones. If modern smartphones with a high-quality camera, good performance and a large screen can last about three to four years, then compact flip phones that are designed exclusively for making calls and sending short text messages can last for ten years, and sometimes more. Often, such devices are purchased by older people, for whom a mobile phone is just a means of communication.
In general, flip phones have been on the market for a very long time — about 15 years, and even today they enjoy a certain popularity. This is primarily due to the fact that these devices are very reliable: they are durable, almost never break, and they clearly perform the tasks assigned to them. The choice of these mobile phones in communication stores is quite large, so choosing the most suitable model with the required functionality will not be as easy as we would like.
We decided to help you understand this issue so that you can choose the best option for yourself or for a loved one. In the ranking of the best flip phones in 2022, we have collected the most popular models according to user reviews. First of all, we paid attention to the ratio of price and quality of products so that the purchase could last as long as possible.
Economy devices
3. INOI 247B
A very compact design — it is equipped with a separate keyboard, all keys are very clearly labeled, have LED backlighting, so the information is clearly visible even in direct sunlight. The menu here is very simple, which makes the phone optimally suitable for the elderly, there is an SOS alarm button. The phone is equipped with a very bright LED flashlight and radio. It comes with a wired headset that can be used as headphones.
The design is very original — the phone is produced in 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 be easily used as a mobile device. Included is the original docking station, which can greatly facilitate the life of the user. The battery will always be recharged, and the phone itself will become very easy to find. From afar 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 — the information on the keys is clearly visible even under bright sunlight;
- Comes with original docking station;
- The case is made of high-quality high-strength plastic — it withstands any physical impact well.
Flaws:
- The camera is rather weak;
- The choice of standard melodies for a call is small.
INOI 247B
2.Olmio F18
Compact, very light and inexpensive model — its weight is only 64 grams. On sale it is found in red or golden color, as a rule, representatives of the fair sex give preference to this phone. It has everything you need from a folding bed and even a little more. The phone is characterized by polyphonic polyphony and a loud speaker, so the call will be heard at a great 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 of communication and stability of the connection. A lithium-ion battery is installed here, the resource of which is enough for a couple of weeks in standby mode, which allows you not to charge the phone for a long time.
In addition, the clamshell is equipped with a radio, there is also a LED flashlight, and quite a bright one, there is a stopwatch, a voice recorder and an alarm clock. A nice addition was the camera, the resolution of which is 0.8 megapixels. With it, you can take photos and shoot videos, although you won’t be able to shoot too much, since the amount of memory here is insignificant — only 32 MB. The display diagonal is 2.4 inches, the keyboard with independent keys, there is a backlight.
Advantages:
- High quality workmanship and assembly;
- Insignificant weight of the device;
- Holds a battery charge for a long time;
- Loud speaker and polyphonic call;
- Full color display;
- Long service life.
Flaws:
- On the screen, information is displayed quite small — it will not be very convenient for older people.
Olmio F18
1. LEXAND A2 Flip phone
This model was developed by domestic engineers, initially it was 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 curls 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 case is made of plastic with a matte coating. It does not show dirt, and besides, it is not slippery at all.
There is a circle in the center of the lid, which is a special button — it allows you to activate an additional touch panel, represented by 10 digits and two additional keys: accept a call and hang up. With the help of such a button, making calls has become much faster, and for this you don’t even have to open the phone. The keys are large and have bright LED backlighting.
Advantages:
- Acceptable cost;
- Decent workmanship and assembly quality;
- Original touch panel with backlight;
- Long service life;
- Works for a long time without recharging.
Flaws:
- Pretty limited functionality.
Phone LEXAND A2 Flip
Phones capable of supporting memory cards up to 32 GB
4. Digma LINX A205 2G
Before us is another model of domestic development, but Chinese assembly. Initially, this phone was created for the elderly, who spend most of their time outside the city. However, some others prefer to use it as a worker, for example, on business trips or business trips. The clamshell has a high-power GSM module, so it is able to receive and send a signal regardless of the conditions. Users note that this device does not have communication problems. The model is noted for good display clarity, compact overall dimensions and high-quality assembly.
The user will always hear the phone ring, as the speaker is quite powerful here, which makes the device suitable for people working in noisy environments or for those who are hard of hearing. If necessary, the sound signal can be completely turned off — in this case, the built-in vibration motor will report the call. The battery capacity is 600 mAh. At first glance, it may seem that this is not too much, but such opportunities are enough to charge the device only once a week.
Advantages:
- Very loud speaker — can be heard for several tens of meters;
- Compact overall dimensions;
- You can only charge once a week.
- Excellent build quality.
Flaws:
- Weak camera;
- Insignificant diagonal of the display;
- Monolithic keyboard — it is difficult for people with poor eyesight to find the desired key.
Digma LINX A205 2G
3. Fly Flip
This clamshell 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 such a clamshell. There is everything here for convenient operation of the device: you can search for the desired contact by first letters, set up automatic recording of the conversation, 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 no complaints about the controllability of the device either — the product can be easily unfolded with just one hand. Here on the keyboard is a very convenient joystick in terms of use.
The device has a much larger screen compared to other similar devices, the size of the fonts is optimal, but it can be adjusted if necessary. The case 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 for yourself;
- Long battery life;
- A slot for installing a memory card is provided;
- Easy to manage.
Flaws:
- Small amount of own memory;
- Just one ringtone to install on your phone.
fly flip
2. Panasonic KX-TU456RU
This model appeared on the domestic market in February of this year — this 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 most important qualities for them: an acceptable price, comfortable and well-read fonts, carefully thought-out key ergonomics, an acceptable display size. There is also a speed dial feature. The camera is not provided here, there is no additional slot for a SIM card either, but there is a whole set of original features.
By tactile sensations, this phone is more like stationary devices from the same manufacturer. In particular, it is weighty, quite reliable, characterized by a strict design. The case has shock protection, in addition, it can easily withstand a fall from a height of one and a half meters.
Advantages:
- Stylish, but rather strict appearance;
- Long work offline;
- The body is protected from physical influences;
- Long service life;
- High quality communication.
Flaws:
- The plastic on the inside is a little easily soiled — fingerprints are visible.
Panasonic KX-TU456RU
1. 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 manufacture a device that can work stably offline for 1-2 weeks instead of the usual 1-2 days.
The model turned out not too expensive, but the case design is very original. Literally at first glance, branded quality becomes noticeable. The assembly of the case is solid, there is no feeling of fragility. The diagonal of the display is significant, good contrast, it reacts almost instantly when opened. The screen has a rubber stop, so it won’t rub off on the keyboard, there is a Bluetooth module.
Advantages:
- Brand quality of the manufacturing company;
- Lots of useful features;
- Designed for children and the elderly;
- Acceptable cost;
- It can work for a long time without recharging.
Flaws:
- Not detected.
Philips Xenium E255
Phones with the most capacious batteries and large screens
3. Joy’s S9
Another folding bed, designed to be used by older people. It is not too expensive, but the user will immediately understand who exactly is calling him and which subscriber needs to dial. The device is very easy to operate, characterized by an elementary menu. One of the main features is that all the keys are separate and do not merge into one surface — this is very important for people with low vision.
The font on the display is very large, so it can be read at arm’s length if a person does not have vision problems. Manufacturers have also thought of a special mount on which you can hang the gadget on a belt or around your neck so that it is always at hand.
Advantages:
- Separate comfortable keyboard;
- The functionality of the phone is pretty easy to figure out;
- Large font;
- Large diagonal display.
Flaws:
- Often come across defective models;
- Weak GSM module, so in areas remote from the city, communication will be unstable.
Joy’s S9
2. Alcatel 3025X
This is the most advanced model among all other clamshell phones that are presented in Russian communication stores. The fact is that it is able to support the 3G communication standard, thanks to which the owner gets better sound quality, is more protected from interference, and the phone itself is characterized by high performance. The device is equipped with a file manager, so it has become much more convenient to transfer them via Bluetooth 3.0.
Through the phone you can access the Internet using the built-in browser. Of course, it will not be possible to achieve the same image quality of website pages as models running on the Android or iOS platform, but it is quite enough to read the news. The cover protects the display well from scratches. Built-in memory is 256 MB, but you can insert a memory card up to 32 GB.
Advantages:
- Very convenient model with extended functionality;
- Excellent build quality;
- When folded, it occupies a minimum of free space;
- Comfortable to work with this phone.
Flaws:
- A little built-in memory;
- There is no slot for a second memory card.
Alcatel 3025X
1. BQ 2814 Shell Duo
The phone has a bright design that immediately attracts attention, besides, it is made in several colors — red, pink, gold and purple. There are also quite a few useful options here. In particular, the phone has two slots for installing SIM cards and a separate slot for a microSD memory card with a capacity of up to 32 GB, there is also a radio operating in the FM band. In addition, there is a Bluetooth 3.0 module, a flashlight and a camera with LED flash. The latter is well suited for shooting landscapes and large text.
The device differs from other similar phones in an increased battery capacity — instead of the more usual 600-800 mAh, it is 1200 mAh, so the phone will work for a very long time without recharging. The main screen is rather large for a clamshell – its diagonal is 2.8 inches, there is also a display on the top cover. It is smaller than the main one, only 1.8 inches, it displays the main current information.
Advantages:
- Stylish and attractive appearance;
- Several color options;
- Extended functionality;
- Sophisticated button ergonomics.
Flaws:
- Heavy and massive construction.
BQ 2814 Shell Duo
In custody
Our review of the best flip phones in 2022 has come to its logical conclusion. Finally, I would like to express the hope that, based on the information we have collected, you were able to choose the most suitable device for yourself, which will fully meet your requirements. If not all points seemed to you covered sufficiently, tell us about it in the comments, we will provide additional information.