Via Yang

Illustration by Via Yang

What was once a relic of the past has now become a badge of individuality — welcome to the triumphant return of the flip phone. For the past five years, I have been living life in simplicity with my trusty flip phone. It transformed me into a more independent person, forced me to flex my problem-solving muscles and gave me a fresh perspective on what matters. Let me show you why, sometimes, less is truly more.

Contrary to popular belief, carrying a flip phone is not just practical — it is downright fun. When I whip out my cellular artifact, the reactions are priceless. People either laugh, ask if I am a time traveler or wonder if I am auditioning for a reboot of a 2000s rom-com. I crack a joke or two about it being my “little communication brick,” or about sending messages faster in Morse code, and boom — instant entertainment.

Even better, my flip phone forces me to engage with the world around me. There are no mobile games, no internet rabbit holes, no doom-scrolling Instagram at 2 a.m. Instead, I find myself having fun and creating real memories with friends. If no one is around to chat with, I just let life sink in — a rare treat during long bus rides or quiet evenings. I can think, dream and experience the moment. 

Of course, using a flip phone means ditching the easy convenience of modern tech, but that is half the fun! Missing GPS? A paper map will do just fine (that has started some hilarious conversations). Need to take notes? A good ol’ pen and my custom planner are more satisfying than a finicky touchscreen. Want to hang out with a friend? I meet them face-to-face instead of sending lifeless messages through a screen.

This analog lifestyle has a surprising side effect: creativity. In 2024, a psychological study published by the International Society for Justice Research revealed that time spent scrolling through reels decreases attention span and academic performance. But let us flip that around — from my experience, less phone time means more imagination. Without a smartphone as a social crutch, I have channeled my energy into quirky projects that make my friends laugh. I have built a cardboard cutout of a friend, crafted a custom Pokémon card for another, constructed a “fake iPhone” out of concrete (the “Ifone”) and even created an epic Halloween costume. Who needs apps when you have got creativity on overdrive?

And while we are on the topic of brilliance, let us talk practicality. My flip phone cost me a whopping $60 — roughly 10% of the price of most modern smartphones. That’s right, 10%. Plus, this bad boy is built like a tank. Because it lacks a large, delicate glass screen like an iPhone, my sturdy flip phone could take punches from The Rock, and it wouldn’t even need a case! And charging? Forget daily rituals; my flip phone sips energy so slowly, I charge it maybe once a month. Meanwhile, modern smartphones drain their batteries faster than you can say, “low power mode.”

The flip phone even excels in environmental terms. Fewer complex components mean fewer rare earth metals, less e-waste and a far smaller carbon footprint. Unlike smartphones, which practically beg you to replace them every few years, my flip phone’s simplicity keeps it going strong. A battery swap, and this trusty companion could easily last another decade or more.

Now, I get it: trading a smartphone for a flip phone might sound like giving up a limb. But there is a whole world of time and fulfillment waiting for you on the other side. So, if you are curious, why not give it a shot? You might find that simplifying one part of your life makes all the other parts shine brighter. Who knows? You might even find yourself flipping out (in the best way possible).