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 470649 times)

Offline MoYS

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #580 on: May 21, 2020, 11:13:04 PM »
Those things can be easily replicated on flip phones and have been for years and would have continued to evolve with the market if not for corporate schemes to make more money.

 Basically, people spend more time on smartphones and Carriers can sell them for more so they want to push you to spend more on the device + more service usage. 
They (particularly Verizon) hold tremendous sway over phone makers and basically decide what they manufacture. Look at the Korean versions of the LG Exalt/folder/ wine. -- much more functionality!


Additionally the way the market has developed most phones (with the exception of flagships) are subsidized by the carriers....


About spending on flip phones.... Look at eBay literally thousands of LG Exalts have been sold in the $300-400 range! Crazy! (Peer pressure or s/t)  this is prob due to Verizon discontinuing it and being by far the best option. Verizon may have been motivated bc they were able to release a new kyocera for $240 while they couldn't raise the exalt from $150
So what youre saying is that we either need to 1) file more lawsuits :) 2)import chinese models of phones 3)develop our own phone and charge upwards of 500 for it.

Offline Mikes@Micro

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #581 on: May 21, 2020, 11:29:08 PM »
1) short answer YES!!! Long answer:verizon is so powerful it's not  being fixed any time soon. Look at when these started. I think around 2002.
2) I've done it for myself in the past but dont work with US carriers too well Good option for those going to Eretz Yisroel although the market is wild out there so I can do better
3) from my initial inquiries it would be about $200
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Offline MoYS

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #582 on: May 22, 2020, 12:05:48 AM »
3) from my initial inquiries it would be about $200
Is it actually a work in progress, or is it just talk? what needs to be done, software development, hardware development / acquisition, raise capital for a real investment?

Offline Mikes@Micro

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #583 on: May 22, 2020, 05:40:34 PM »
Mainly speculation. I got a quote from the company distributing Alcatel phones in the US. They get them from the factory without any OS and add one based on the specs you want (usually carriers)
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Offline ilherman

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #584 on: May 24, 2020, 10:45:39 AM »
How can I transfer contacts from iPhone to Verizon 4g flip phone?
You can say what you think when you think what you say.

Offline Iz

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #585 on: May 24, 2020, 10:55:13 AM »
How can I transfer contacts from iPhone to Verizon 4g flip phone?
Try Bluetooth.

Offline Mikes@Micro

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #586 on: May 24, 2020, 12:49:19 PM »
How can I transfer contacts from iPhone to Verizon 4g flip phone?

Best bet would be Verizon Backup -- built into tbe phone... or export ro SIM... if not backup to ur google/ iCloud account, download to pc and copg via USB to flip phone.

Mazel tov on takong the plunge!
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Offline mgarfin

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Offline Mikes@Micro

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #588 on: May 25, 2020, 11:09:41 AM »
I dont about about Nuu but currently testing the schock.
It is the same hardware as the jitterbug phones (which are a larger version of the original  Alcatel Go flip) for seniors but has reg android go although they lock it down slightly so takes a bit of fiddling to load apps like google maps.

The camera is officially 8mp but doesnt come close to the LG exalts camera (5mp)

The virtual mouse is decent but is a drop buggy and def takes some getting used to.

Although it uas the same chip as the LG exalt it feels a lot slower basically like the original alcatels. When you press the buttons there is a slight delay.

T9- you can do better.

You can pair a bluetooth mouse (have not tried keyboard)  usb otg doesnt work.

Also very thick and bulky. Huge bezels.

No wifi calling at least with tmobile
Yes HD volte calling.

Ringer volume can he changed even when phone is closed so if u cant have ur phone ringing then you basically need to set ringer to a silent file.

Feel free to ask specific questions
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Online etech0

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #589 on: May 25, 2020, 11:12:04 AM »
FWIW I know two people who bought kosher Nuu phones and returned them for something else.
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

Offline Yef

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #590 on: May 25, 2020, 11:15:35 AM »
maybe you can push/implement a 4g basic phone with keyboard?  From what I understand there is NONE i the market  and seems to be a lot of demand among the frum crowd etc....
There is definetely tremendous demand for this. Even at a very high price range, people will buy it. Most of the non smart phone people still text. And it is very difficult with the current dumb phones available. 

Offline yesitsme

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #591 on: May 25, 2020, 11:17:57 AM »
["-"]

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #592 on: May 25, 2020, 11:30:07 AM »
@Mikes@Micro how about the Jio Phone 2. If a phone with that form factor could be made usable for calling, texting (including Hebrew alphabet) navigation (and optional whatsapp, including whatsapp voice calls), I think it could have a market.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline Mikes@Micro

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #593 on: May 25, 2020, 01:07:30 PM »
yes it is and its a great phone

How does it stack up against the exalt?
What about the xp5s?
« Last Edit: May 25, 2020, 01:12:17 PM by Mikes@Micro »
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Offline tkcentral

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #594 on: May 25, 2020, 01:08:54 PM »
Hi I have a iPhone and I’m looking to have a kosher phone is it possible to have the same number on 2 phones without having to switch the SIM cards

Offline Mikes@Micro

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #595 on: May 25, 2020, 01:13:52 PM »
Hi I have a iPhone and I’m looking to have a kosher phone is it possible to have the same number on 2 phones without having to switch the SIM cards

Tmobile has something called Digits. Check it out. Basically keep the sim in kisher phone and have a 2nd sim in iPhone, download the app and with iPhone or samsung it is well integrated
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #596 on: May 25, 2020, 01:17:58 PM »
@Mikes@Micro how about the Jio Phone 2. If a phone with that form factor could be made usable for calling, texting (including Hebrew alphabet) navigation (and optional whatsapp, including whatsapp voice calls), I think it could have a market.

Yeah that would definitely be a hit. Some may perfer the durability of no moving parts while some prefer the space of a slider.

Importing the Jiophone 2 itself seems to be impossible as it appears to be manufactured exclusively for Reliance Jio and indian carrier. Have not been able to find a reliable way to purchase in the US.
Also doesnt seem to work with LTE bands of US carriers (although could possibly be reprogrammed which would likely kill battery life)
Cant find teardowns to know forsure but the processor seems sluggish based on reviews
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #599 on: May 25, 2020, 01:59:08 PM »
https://twitter.com/KollelNiyes/status/1264916234782547968?s=20

I am almost done making this phone kosher, I have been personally using it now for almost 2 months. It will be one of the most popular devices once i am done.
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