Topic Wiki

List of Many Flip Phones. (No smartphones)
A lot of the descriptions is my opinion.
Feel free to let me know if you differ, or if there is info missing/wrong.
Please like if this helps you.
Service plans for Flip phones-Click here.

Alcatel/TCL Go Flip (6)
Alcatel TCL Flip 2, From Tracfone or Amazon
TCL Classic 4058C, Sold on TCL
TCL Classic, From Cricket
TCL Flip Go, From UScellular
TCL Flip Go, From T-Mobile

Probably the successor to the LG Classic. $20 for the Tracfone version. Runs very well.
TAG can Kasher, Also @kosher_cellutions kashers, and there are people working on a free filter as well.

Update (9/22/22): A free talk/text filter is available. Filter with Waze (and maybe more) coming soon!

Not to be confused with the tcl 4056 phones which look the same but run KaiOs and are much buggier.

LG Exalt LTE VN220 – Verizon
•   Can be  koshered: Yes

Compatible Networks;
•   Verizon (4g)
•   ATT (3g),
•   T-Mobile (2g, bad reception)

One of the most popular flip phones. Well-known Brand. No button lag. Overall decent phone.
 No outside screen, awkward shape, delicate, suffers from durability issues
Not sold anymore. Street price is over $400.

LG Classic Flip L125 – Tracfone (DDF Topic)
•   Can be  koshered: Yes
Decent phone from a well-known manufacturer
Successor to the LG Exalt, this phone added an outside screen (!!!) and an SOS button. Camera was downgraded to 2mp from 5, and lost autofocus (think Kyocera Cadence res).  Screen and body were shrunk a little to make it a little less unwieldly to hold . . The street price of $30 is has jumped and it now hovering at about $150.

Compatible Networks;
•   Tracfone (and all Tracfone sub-carriers, like: Net10, Total Wireless, Wing and possibly more)

Koshering services;
•   http://kosherlgclassic.com/ (Talk Only $24.99 or Custom $29.99, strong)
•   http://filterlg.com/ (free, strong, but has limitation READ INSTRUCTIONS)
•   https://www.apps4flip.com/lgclassicflip/ (Remove apps with ADB, no reset protection)
•   Tag, Geder, and Meshumer locations can install a block as well

Probably the best quality phone from all the cheap (you can get it for like $30) phones, but the big limitation is that it's carrier locked to Tracfone carriers and cannot be used with normal Verizon plans or other Verizon MVNOs, Until it has active service for a year two months.

LG Wine LTE (U.S. Cellular)
Can be  koshered: Yes

Same as the LG Exalt LTE but works with ATT 4g. Not compatible with Verizon (small changes  like different messaging app and fm radio) Also not sold. Replaced by the LG Wine 2 LTE

LG Wine 2 LTE (U.S. Cellular)
Not applicable


Kyocera Cadence LTE S2720 & S2720PP
•   Can be  koshered: Yes

Compatible Networks;
•   Verizon (4g)
•   ATT (3g),
•   T-Mobile (2g, bad reception)
PP Version must be unlocked before using with Verizon Postpaid/Other Networks

Overall solid phone by somewhat reputable brand. Has an outer screen to show show who is calling, but lacks video camera & playback. Camera quality could be better. Durability is pretty good. Software update finally fixed some t9 input issues Overall solid kosherable option. Also not sold by Verizon anymore. Street price of about $250

Kyocera DuraXV LTE E-4610
•   Can be  koshered: Yes

Compatible Networks;
•   Verizon (4g)
•   ATT (3g),
•   T-Mobile (2g, bad reception)

Similar to Kyocera Cadence above but in a slightly bigger, rugged package. And added video playback capability. Great choice if you can find a good one.

Kyocera DuraXV Extreme E-4810
MSRP: $240

•   Can be  koshered: Yes

Compatible Networks;
•   Verizon (4g)
•   ATT (3g),
•   T-Mobile (4g)

Successor to the DuraXV above. More rugged, Thicker, Heavier. Now with USB-C!
Message+ Replaced with a slower clunkier messaging app.

Kazuna eTalk
•   Can be  koshered: Yes

Compatible Networks;
•   Verizon (4g)

A cheap prepaid phone made by a company that has a Chinese website. Can be purchased for under $40 but must be activated in the prepaid network to work. Has poor reviews but seems to be an okay phone/operating system. Sluggish response to key presses. Cheap build quality


Alcatel Go Flip V
MSRP: $99

•   Can be  koshered: Yes

Compatible Networks;
•   Verizon (4g)

Slow & buggy Verizon phone. Changes back to ABC instead of T9 every time you create a new message, and no way to add words to t9 dictionary. Button presses take a while to register. Poor Quality. Seems to be a bit better than the competition in the "Easy to buy straight from Verizon" category


Orbic Journey V
MSRP: $99

•   Can be  koshered: Yes

Compatible Networks;
•   Verizon (4g)

Another no-name brand with a slow buggy phone. Extremely poor quality. Avoid.


Schok Classic Flip
MSRP: $99 Available at Target

•   Can be  koshered: Yes (Tag-No, Meshimer-Yes)

Compatible Networks;
•   Verizon (4g)
•   ATT (4g),
•   T-Mobile (4g)

A large, highly compatible flip phone from a company that at least looks like its trying. Finally a viable T-Mobile option. Nice display, Impressive camera, and USB-C  docking/charging. Feels laggy and a bit buggy sometimes. A little bit more smatphone-ish than others as it has a, sometimes convoluted , Google Play store and a Virtual Mouse to input touches on apps. Software updates keep improving the phone so there is hope…

NUU Phone
Compatible Networks;
Verizon (4g)
ATT (4g)
T-Mobile (4g)
Cheap price, cheap quality. Buttons seem to wear out pretty quickly.

Alcatel Go Flip ATT  T-MOBILE
Sorry  don’t have exact models all the iterations of these.
Old version- Horrible. Contacts and calling app broken
New Version Go Flip 3- Big improvement
Has Google maps and assistant, will be removed when koshered though.
There is a cricket version that was advertised on Dansdeals.com already koshered on ebay for $60 seems to be okay.
Many many different iterations of these. Some can be filtered. Some cannot. Most are bad phones.

Coolpad Snap
4g Sprint Flip Phone. Bad Phone. Can’t be koshered

ZTE Cymbal
Different versions for Verizon prepaid and T-Mobile. Phone is Okay, Can’t be koshered, But available to buy already kosher in Lakewood.

Sonim xp3800
Compatible Networks;
Verizon (4g)
ATT (4g)
Unlocked versions available

Great phone, similar to the Kyocera DuraXV series
Can be kashered by TAG

Sunbeam
Compatible Networks;
•   Verizon (4g)
•   ATT (4g),
•   T-Mobile (4g)

Can be purchased kashered by TAG
Has a very good voice-to-text option @ $5 a month

Ans F30 Kosher
Offered by meshimer
Compatible Networks;
•   Verizon (4g)

Fig Kosher flip
Sold koshered

Nokia 6300 4G GSM
Sold koshered

Compatible Networks;
•   ATT (4g)
•   T-Mobile (4g)

Other niche options you may want to look into, and up and coming:

Keyphone  https://keyphone.tech
Mindphone  https://greentouchstore.com/pages/mind
Light phone ii $350 E-ink phone   https://www.thelightphone.com]T-Mobile
Punkt MP02    https://www.punkt.ch/en/products/mp02-4g-mobile-phone/

In Short (for most people)

Verizon- Find the Kyocera Cadence or Kyocera DuraXV E-4610
ATT- Schok /Alcatel Go Flip 3/Kyocera Cadence
T-Mobile- Schok /Alcatel Go Flip 3/
Sprint- Get a new service. You’re getting cheap service without a device to use it on

Site that allow you to search based on features and network -
https://dumbphones.pory.app/

Why is there so many garbage phones?
Why are the big brands reluctant to make decent phones?
Why did LG and Kyocera stop making such popular devices? 
Did Verizon ask for cheaper phones to make them more accessible? To make an even bigger profit?
And why can’t we get some normal phones like the old 3g devices? LG Revere, Samsung Gusto, etc. Durable, solid, reliable, NO BUGS! Maybe even… dare I ask for… a qwerty keyboard!
Why do people use sprint if there’s no phones?
What will happen to all the active old sprint 3g devices after T-Mobile/Sprint merger?

Full Disclosure: I currently use an LG OCTANE 3g Verizon Keyboard Phone and I love it. That’s gonna have to change by the end of 2020… but if you put things into perspective, that’s AFTER the November elections. Who knows if Trump will even be president?

I would love if someone knows the answers to some of these questions.

UPDATE: I switched to the Kyocera Cadence and overall, its pretty good.
I also have answers to my questions. To be very brief:
Real operating systems cost $$$$ and no one is willing to put in that much for a basic phone. They all use android (free) Or KaiOS (free and terrible) which dont come readily set up for a flip and have to be "stuffed in". Fulll android+cheapest hardware= Mess
Its hard for small companies to make their own phone due to the massive costs of certification approval and similar.


Author Topic: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE  (Read 616161 times)

Offline Alexsei

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #100 on: October 22, 2017, 09:43:10 PM »
TRUMP better coverage than 5G!

Offline US

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #101 on: October 23, 2017, 03:33:49 PM »
Here you go
what happens when you select ATX?
try it might be T9 just different name on it.
« Last Edit: October 23, 2017, 03:37:57 PM by US »

Offline Alexsei

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #102 on: October 23, 2017, 03:50:20 PM »
Nothing
TRUMP better coverage than 5G!

Offline joe1234

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #103 on: October 23, 2017, 04:13:29 PM »
Where can I get a cheap non smart phone-flip phone for T-Mobile ?

Offline ilherman

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #104 on: October 26, 2017, 11:07:28 PM »
Okay so I went to the Samsung Cn site and use google translate and it looks like they have a whole series os flip smart phones since 2014 and they keep on releasing newer phones every year.

I bought this on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/332209923375?rmvSB=true as the Folder 2  but based on Samsung's site its the old Folder phone and this (see link) is the newer folder 2 https://www.samsung.com/cn/smartphones/galaxy-folder2/SM-G1650ZKECHC/

Makes sense?
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline US

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #105 on: October 26, 2017, 11:30:52 PM »
Nothing
Very interesting, might be different model.
BTW do you know he it works with at&t? Any other besides t mobile?

Offline ilherman

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #106 on: December 05, 2017, 05:58:11 PM »
What exactly is the LG wine?  Is it a regular android just flips? Similar to the folder?  Does it support whatsapp?
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline shlonx

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #107 on: December 05, 2017, 07:16:06 PM »
I have an LG Wine and it's a regular flip phone. No Whatsapp. No Android OS.
Brevity may be the soul of wit, but floridity is its spirit.

Offline Alexsei

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #108 on: December 05, 2017, 08:10:56 PM »
If you are referring to the wine smart, yes it's a regular android
TRUMP better coverage than 5G!

Offline ilherman

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #109 on: December 05, 2017, 08:57:33 PM »
If you are referring to the wine smart, yes it's a regular android
Is that what you have?

Was it released for the US market?
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline Yisroel Tech

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #110 on: December 05, 2017, 09:53:46 PM »
Is that what you have?

Was it released for the US market?
Was not officially released for the US market. The only android flip phone released officially in the US is the ZTE Cymbal-T

Offline Brian93

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #111 on: December 05, 2017, 10:50:50 PM »
Was not officially released for the US market. The only android flip phone released officially in the US is the ZTE Cymbal-T
Looks like zte cymbal t is only with tracfone

Offline Yisroel Tech

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #112 on: December 05, 2017, 11:02:38 PM »
Looks like zte cymbal t is only with tracfone
Total Wireless has it as well https://www.walmart.com/ip/Total-Wireless-ZTE-Cymbal-T-8GB-Prepaid-Smartphone-Black/55381320, but you are right that it is not a GSM phone working with AT&T and T-Mobile.

Offline ilherman

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #113 on: December 16, 2017, 08:19:05 PM »
In Canada now and the Folder 2 is picking up 4g bands!
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline effulgent.unicorn

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #114 on: January 09, 2018, 02:56:02 PM »
So now I've got some proof positive that the OS is indeed a customized version of Android.



My only problem is that I haven't figured out yet any way to enter developer mode or debug mode or anything of the sort, that will let me install anything, but my hopes are up there that the developer community will figure out something down the road. Adding WhatsApp, Hebrew Input, and some essential jewish software (calendar, various texts, etc.) will really make this phone that much more useful.

To get to the hidden menu that allows developer options and thereby debugging mode among other things dial ##7764726220 and enter 000000 for the service code.
As per https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/rooting-lg-exalt-lte-verizon-lg-vn220-t3668054 attempts to install apps have met with mixed results.

Offline ExGingi

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #115 on: January 09, 2018, 02:59:57 PM »
To get to the hidden menu that allows developer options and thereby debugging mode among other things dial ##7764726220 and enter 000000 for the service code.
As per https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/rooting-lg-exalt-lte-verizon-lg-vn220-t3668054 attempts to install apps have met with mixed results.
Wow! Thank you! and Welcome to DDF! Your like count now matches your post count. How many DDFers can boast such an achievement? ;)

Not sure if this will end up helping me, but your post is really appreciated. I have another issue with this phone, which is its bluetooth connectivity. Often loses connectivity to car audio system. I've experienced this in different cars, so I think I can safely assume it's the phone and not the car audio system.
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Offline real-brisker

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #116 on: January 09, 2018, 03:13:16 PM »
 @ExGingi advise if you can get whatsapp on there.

Offline effulgent.unicorn

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #117 on: January 09, 2018, 03:28:49 PM »
No problem! :)

Always excited to see at least a few more people are working towards similar goals.

I'm mostly trying to get fb messeneger lite on mine for the push notifications, but will probably add a few other apps if it works eventually.

As far as bluetooth, I don't use it very much, and even less with cars, so I have nothing off the top of my head, but I'll keep an eye out.

Offline ExGingi

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #118 on: January 09, 2018, 03:59:13 PM »
No problem! :)

Always excited to see at least a few more people are working towards similar goals.

I'm mostly trying to get fb messeneger lite on mine for the push notifications, but will probably add a few other apps if it works eventually.

As far as bluetooth, I don't use it very much, and even less with cars, so I have nothing off the top of my head, but I'll keep an eye out.
Please keep us posted with ANY app that you manage to sideload.
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Offline effulgent.unicorn

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #119 on: January 09, 2018, 05:41:27 PM »
Absolutely!!

I'm still running into "inconsistent certificate" errors with any apk I try, but I'm not giving up yet & will post if I figure it out.