They’re clunky, low-res, and can barely run Snake — but that’s exactly the point.
Gen Z is reviving flip phones in a deliberate break from the hyper-connected digital world. Dubbed the “dumbphone” movement, this trend emphasizes digital detox and simplicity.
“When I’m out with friends, I don’t want to be scrolling,” says 20-year-old Maya Tran, who swapped her iPhone for a $30 burner. “I want to actually be present.”
TikTok is fueling the movement, with hashtags like #bringbackflipphones and #digitaldetox racking up millions of views. Some users keep a flip phone as their “weekend phone” to curb screen time without losing contact entirely.
Device makers are noticing. HMD Global, the company behind Nokia phones, has reported a 25% year-over-year increase in basic phone sales in the U.S.
While smartphones aren’t going away, the trend suggests a growing appetite for less, not more.
Bottom line:
In a world of endless scrolls, the flip phone might be the boldest flex of all.
