Light’s new Flip phone takes a conscious step away from the always-on glow of modern handsets. This $299 plastic clamshell, announced today, brings back the pleasant snap of a hinge while incorporating just enough modern hardware to handle calls, texts, music, and a few basic tools.
The phone’s low-cost plastic construction allows it to be available in a wide range of vibrant hues, including black, navy blue, red, pink, yellow, and light gray. When folded, the Flip measures 4.3 x 2.3 x 0.7 inches and weighs 5.6 oz. You may keep it in your pocket or attach it to a keychain using the built-in loop. The front cover also features a star-shaped light that shines when you receive a call or have notifications waiting.
Sale
Motorola Moto G Play LTE | Unlocked | Made for US 4/64GB | 50MP Camera | Sapphire Blue
- Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB**** of RAM.
- Fluid display + immersive stereo sound. Bring your entertainment to life with an ultrawide 6.5" 90Hz* HD+ display plus stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos...
- 50MP*** Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
The device features a 2.8-inch matte OLED panel with a resolution of 480 × 640 pixels, all in two colors. The display is non-touch, so do not expect to interact with it. Navigation is accomplished via a physical number pad, directional pad, and a few function buttons. They’ve reinstated predictive T9 texting, as well as voice-to-text and audio messaging for individuals who prefer to speak rather than type. There’s also a 3.5 mm headphone socket and a USB-C port, and the rear panel can be removed with a few screws to replace the 1,800 mAh battery as needed.
The Flip’s hardware is modest, yet it includes all of the latest technology, including a MediaTek MT8873 processor, 6 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage. It supports 5G and 4G LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, nano-SIM, and eSIM. A single back camera with a 50-megapixel sensor takes images at 12 megapixels. Unfortunately, there is no front-facing camera or NFC, so tap-to-pay is not an option.
LightOS, the Flip’s operating system, exemplifies the company’s basic approach to smartphones. It has the essentials including calls, SMS, a music and podcast player, alarm, calculator, calendar, notes, and basic navigation. There are also no internet browsers or social media apps. There is an SDK that allows developers to contribute utility tools to a shared library as long as they do not include advertisements or endless scrolling feeds, and over 2,000 developers have already signed up.
Co-founders Kaiwei Tang and Joe Hollier created the Flip with the idea of having a second phone that stays put until you’re ready to use it. To help future users get the most out of the Flip, the business has created a “Flip Your Life” package of newsletters and community services that focus on minimizing screen time rather than quitting totally. Preorders are set to open soon, with deliveries beginning in April 2027. The phone costs $299 upfront, or you can choose Light’s $39 monthly plan, which includes the phone after two years.
