HMD Global is set to release its Barbie-branded flip phone in October, a device that combines retro aesthetics with modern functionality at a price of $129.
The Barbie Phone, preannounced at the Mobile World Congress earlier this year, will be available for pre-order starting September 23, with the official launch date set for October 1. This release comes slightly after the peak of summer’s foldable phone trend but brings a unique nostalgic appeal that’s sure to attract attention.
The Barbie Phone, licensed by Mattel and developed by HMD, offers a feature phone experience focused primarily on basic connectivity, allowing users to make calls and send text messages. Designed as a tool for digital detox, HMD promotes the phone as a way to “take a vacation from your smartphone.” The device features a compact 2.8-inch inner screen, and while it lacks app support, it retains classic elements such as a T9 keyboard. Users should note that typing texts using T9 might be more challenging than they remember from the early 2000s.
Equipped with a 5-megapixel camera that includes a flash, the Barbie Phone caters to fans of early digital photography, capturing images with a style reminiscent of the Y2K era. The phone’s aesthetics are emphasized through its vibrant pink design, which includes hidden motifs on the keypad that light up in the dark.
The package also comes with additional theme-specific accessories, such as extra battery covers inspired by Barbie designs, a pastel-beaded wrist strap, sparkly stick-on gems, and vintage-style Barbie stickers.
Additionally, the classic Snake game comes with a Barbie-themed twist, enhancing the retro feel of the device. Despite its simple functionality, the phone integrates Barbie-themed user interface elements, including wallpapers and app icons, described as straightforward and easy to navigate. To support its branding as a digital detox device, the Barbie Phone includes a digital well-being app, promoting a break from the constant connectivity associated with smartphones.
The Barbie Phone will be available unlocked and compatible with the major U.S. wireless networks: AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
