In 2010 we saw the iPhone leap into stardom, and the flip phone fall into the shadows considered a thing of the past. In 2025, the flip phone will compete with some top smartphones from the biggest tech companies. Here’s how the flip telephone became a household name… again!

Related blog: Flip Phone Vs Standard Phone

When did the new flip phone come out?

In this blog, we’re not focussing on the flip phone of the 2000’s losing popularity, this blog focuses completely on the modernised flip smartphone. The new and improved flip smartphone was revealed by Samsung originally in February 2019 at the Mobile World Congress, it was the first time in years anyone had seen a flip phone being entered into the market. The prototype gave tech fans an insight into how smartphone screens and flip phones would integrate, getting a glimpse at the way the screen would bend creating new possibilities for flip phone designs.

When the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip was officially released in February 2020, tech fans were reluctant to buy describing the phone as ‘interesting’ explaining they were interested to see how long the flip technique would last without breaking. There were also questions over how practical the phone would be, whether the hinges survived extreme weather conditions, being dropped, and if the hinges were durable. But once tech fans got their hands on the phone, it was met with a lot of positivity.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip started a new series for Samsung called the Z Series dedicated to their folding phones, which confirmed that the flip phone would be returning in the future.

Why is the Samsung flip phone so popular?

Samsung grew its Z Series quickly after the initial release, they continued its Flip series with the Galaxy Z Flip 6 released in 2024 and the Galaxy Z Flip 7 rumoured to be released in 2025. Alongside this growing series, Samsung released the Galaxy Z Fold series where the phone closed horizontally rather than vertically. The Galaxy Z Fold series has also performed well with their Galaxy Z Fold 6 releasing in 2024 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 rumoured to release in 2025.

But Samsung wasn’t the only tech company to bring back the flip phone. Google, Huawei and OnePlus have also created their flip models. Huawei took it one step further by creating a tri-folding smartphone… yes… that’s a three-way folding smartphone! The only tech company that hasn’t jumped on the flip phone trend is Apple, but there have been rumours floating about that Apple is working on a flip phone in privacy. If they manage to create a successful competitor to the Z Flip Series, this could change the way we communicate forever.

Why are people going back to flip phones?

There are a few assumptions that we can make as to why the flip phone became so popular in its modernised return.

• Nostalgia – People love nostalgia and thrive for the times of the past, a standard flip phone from the 2000s could never hold the durability and practicality of everyday use in the modern world. A smartphone edition however could. Now people can reconnect with their teenage flip phone but through a brand new, modern edition.
• Compact – The phone can flip out to standard smartphone size but fold together to half its size to easily put in a bag or pocket. With the flip design, if you drop it, its collapsed design will protect it from scratching or even smashing. It’s the perfect practical tool!
• Photography – Half open these smartphones and prop them up at any location. It’s the ideal tool for hands-free photography or group photos.

Related blog: History Of The Flip Phone

Conclusion:

Did you ever have the old iconic flip phone, and would it convince you to check out the modern version? We love flip smartphones; they are great for a modern smartphone with the iconic design from the past and practical choices. We have plenty of flip-and-fold phone options on our website, so take a look now!