Here is my take on the current state of flip phones that work in the US:
Non-Touchscreen Flip Phones
If you want to go non-touchscreen flip phone, there’s:
-
The Kyoceras, which aren’t cheap, camera quality isn’t great but works, are rugged, can run Waze and any app that isn’t dependent on Google Play Services, but Android apps will be clunky to use because these don’t have a touchscreen.
-
The Sonim Xp3Plus, which is in the same price range. I’d say it’s the best in this category, but if you plan on running apps made for smartphones it get’s a big complicated, due to a bug in Android 11 which causes that mouse apps like MATVT and C9 don’t work on it. The only workaround is using C9 with Shizuku, but for that you’ll have to run an ADB command every time you turn on your phone, but it can work, and I’ve done that for a while on the Xp3900. It’s also a bit bulky. Other than that it has a great battery life, pretty good camera for a dumb phone, nice AOSP UI, rugged quality, and decent sized screen.
-
The Sonim Xp3800 is cheaper, and doesn’t have the mouse issue that the Xp3Plus has, can be rooted, and is also rugged. It has a smaller screen, and not as good battery life or camera quality.
-
I’d rank the TCL Flip 2 around the Sonim Xp3800. It’s nowhere near as durable, build quality isn’t the best, but not terrible, it’s smaller and lighter. It’s also rootable.
Touchscreen Flip Phones
For touchscreen flip phones, there’s:
-
The Cat S22. It’s price is rising as stock runs out, but it’s a pretty solid phone. Doesn’t work with Verizon. Can have Android Auto if you flash the Kitty ROM. I consider 2.8" a bit small for a touchscreen, but it works. Camera isn’t either great.
-
The Orbic Cat F125. Will be released in the beginning of 2026. Specs sound terrific, 5G, larger screen, better battery, updated specs.
Modern Kosher Flip Phones (Touchscreen, Limited Apps)
Modern kosher flip phones, which are touchscreen, have better cameras, Waze, but can’t install apps or play video:
-
The Fig is probably the best of what there is right now. Pretty good camera (13-20MP), has Waze, Gboard. Battery, build quality, and software isn’t great. The messaging app gets very slow when you have a lot of messages. Can play videos taken on the device. You can ignore what u/jbriones95 says about location not working normally, that’s been long fixed.
-
The Wonder phone. I’d say is the best of them long term. Very focused on their users, gets updates every month, has a dedicated feedback app. Has Android Auto, 22 MP camera. Software is still pretty raw, but I expect it to eventually beat them all.
-
The Megalife F1 is coming to America soon. It’s a rugged phone built by the same OEM as the Cat S22, but with updated specs. It allows a a few more apps than most kosher phones, including email and banking, Google Contacts, Keep, and Calendar.
-
Cheaper options include the Mind phone, which just got Waze and Google Maps, and the brand new Fusion phone, which is launching at $110, but those are both bar phones.
