Flip phones, not the big expensive Samsung Flip and foldable or Motorola Razr, are making a comeback especially in the USA, with Gen Zers instead turning to value models that appear to be the hot new trend for those looking for style and value.

According to the Wall Street Journal, While some Gen Zers might be buying smartphones that flip and fold, like the $1,649 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, the chatter online centres on “dumb” models with few capabilities.

These devices are experiencing a renaissance as budget second phones—allowing you to detach from constant notifications and the lure of infinite scroll, without losing the ability to send texts and make calls in an emergency.

‘No work emails, no Instagram updates, nothing from Facebook.’

Young people aren’t the only fans. Nokia sells tens of thousands of its flip phones each month in the U.S., according to Lars Silberbauer, chief marketing officer of HMD Global, the Finnish manufacturer of Nokia phones. Sales are growing across demographics, he said. “It’s not a small trend.”

In Australia Sam Skontos, the former CEO of TCL Mobile claims that Australia is a “more mature market than the USA” and that the trend to bottom end flip will not take off here.

Steve Toth Head of Sales at Aspera who are selling three flip phones disagrees. He claims that demand for these models is growing because the likes of Samsung have grown awareness of the Flip and foldable category.

Shortly Motorola who has been working on a new foldable Razr phone is tipped to launch a new premium model in Australia, with some insiders also tipping a cheap flip version from Motorola.

While some Gen Zers might be buying smartphones that flip and fold, like the $1,649 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, the chatter online centres on “dumb” models with few capabilities claims the WSJ.

According to Aspera most of their new Flip phones come with features like Bluetooth, 4G and contemporary cameras.

Some have an internet browser but employ an operating system that doesn’t support apps like Instagram and TikTok.

At Big W three models from Telstra, Nokia Konka are ranged with new Aspera models set to be available shortly.