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 470753 times)

Offline myi

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1100 on: December 20, 2020, 10:22:22 PM »
I assume that the plan Iposted above from ebay, was 1200 min for 365 days of service, should trigger the unlcoking.
I wouldn't use the phone for the year. but I'll have an unlocked phone after the the year, for just 19.99 for the phone and $20 for 1 year of service.
Indeed it seems it was for the year. I guess to leave it for a year it might be worth it.

 But for another $80 you can get Service for a year which you can use, and sign up for the rewards to get even more free usage.
 Using a referral code.
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1101 on: December 20, 2020, 10:42:56 PM »
Depends on what device you buy.
 Walmart sells a TMobile(GSM branded) and an CDMA one.

While TracFone seems to only sell the Verizon(CDMA) branded one.
Which is now avlb for $19.99

 If you look at the info supplied or run the IMEI number on one of these free sites online it should tell you the status of the device.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wmt-Family-Mobile-Wfm-Lg-Classic-Flip-L125dl-Gsm/812717006
Gsm $30

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tracfone-Wireless-LG-Classic-Flip-8GB-Black-Prepaid-Flip-Phone/679025506?findingMethod=wpa
Tracfone cdma $30

https://shop.tracfone.com/shop/en/tracfonestore/phones/tf-lg-classic-flip-l125dl
CDMA
Tracfone $19.99
I just chatted with tracfone again. Seems like the one I bought at Target is the same as the one they sell at tracfone.com - the CDMA one.

Is there anywhere to buy an AT&T one besides ebay?
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1102 on: December 20, 2020, 10:59:10 PM »
I just chatted with tracfone again. Seems like the one I bought at Target is the same as the one they sell at tracfone.com - the CDMA one.

Is there anywhere to buy an AT&T one besides ebay?
Walmart.
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1103 on: December 20, 2020, 10:59:31 PM »
Walmart.
I thought their Walmart Family one was tmobile?
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1104 on: December 20, 2020, 11:02:26 PM »
I thought their Walmart Family one was tmobile?
That's the closest you're going to get for an At&t phone.

Depends on what device you buy.
 Walmart sells a TMobile(GSM branded) and an CDMA one.

While TracFone seems to only sell the Verizon(CDMA) branded one.
Which is now avlb for $19.99

 If you look at the info supplied or run the IMEI number on one of these free sites online it should tell you the status of the device.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wmt-Family-Mobile-Wfm-Lg-Classic-Flip-L125dl-Gsm/812717006
Gsm $30

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tracfone-Wireless-LG-Classic-Flip-8GB-Black-Prepaid-Flip-Phone/679025506?findingMethod=wpa
Tracfone cdma $30

https://shop.tracfone.com/shop/en/tracfonestore/phones/tf-lg-classic-flip-l125dl
CDMA
Tracfone $19.99
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1105 on: December 20, 2020, 11:03:13 PM »
That's the closest you're going to get for an At&t phone.
What does it mean? Can it be changed to AT&T?
Is the ebay one better?
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1106 on: December 20, 2020, 11:08:36 PM »
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1107 on: December 20, 2020, 11:10:40 PM »
That's the closest you're going to get for an At&t phone.
Are you saying if I get the walmart one I  can use with with a different carrier over AT&T?
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1108 on: December 20, 2020, 11:14:48 PM »
What does it mean? Can it be changed to AT&T?
Is the ebay one better?
Where you see an at&t one from ebay?
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1109 on: December 20, 2020, 11:15:18 PM »
Are you saying if I get the walmart one I  can use with with a different carrier over AT&T?
AS long as the bands match you can use it
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1110 on: December 20, 2020, 11:15:58 PM »
what is now the best option for T-Mobile?

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1111 on: December 20, 2020, 11:16:21 PM »
Where you see an at&t one from ebay?
didn't you post a link to one?
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1112 on: December 20, 2020, 11:16:47 PM »
AS long as the bands match you can use it
right away, or after unlocking it after 12 months?
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1113 on: December 20, 2020, 11:17:50 PM »
didn't you post a link to one?
Service yes, not an lg classic,
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1114 on: December 20, 2020, 11:19:44 PM »
Service yes, not an lg classic,
ohh
can you use it with the walmart lg classic?
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1115 on: December 20, 2020, 11:29:33 PM »
ohh
can you use it with the walmart lg classic?
It's a tracfone device so it seems yes.
  But before sticking any sim card in it other than a tracfone branded one you will need it unlocked.
 So you can have it rebranded to work on NET10, StraightTalk, TRacFone, Total wireless and etc.. Meaning they all offer service with all the major carriers, depending on the phone is what service you'll buy.

  I'll end up buying service after all my free service sims are used up.
 and if you do plan on getting service, make an account and get a referral code to sign up for the rewards to earn more free service.
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1116 on: December 20, 2020, 11:41:07 PM »
It's a tracfone device so it seems yes.
  But before sticking any sim card in it other than a tracfone branded one you will need it unlocked.
 So you can have it rebranded to work on NET10, StraightTalk, TRacFone, Total wireless and etc.. Meaning they all offer service with all the major carriers, depending on the phone is what service you'll buy.

  I'll end up buying service after all my free service sims are used up.
 and if you do plan on getting service, make an account and get a referral code to sign up for the rewards to earn more free service.
Thanks for bearing with me! I'm still trying to understand :)

Do rebrand and unlock mean the same thing?
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1117 on: December 20, 2020, 11:50:51 PM »
Sorry, just popping in here for a brief second to note how impressed I am that this thread is very active. A flip phone thread? It’s always on the first page usually at the top! Interesting!  :)
nothings impossible- the word itself says Im possible

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1118 on: December 20, 2020, 11:51:49 PM »
Sorry, just popping in here for a brief second to note how impressed I am that this thread is very active. A flip phone thread? It’s always on the first page usually at the top! Interesting!  :)
It's my fault, I'm still trying to wrap my head around what we're talking about :D
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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1119 on: December 20, 2020, 11:52:39 PM »
Okay let's start again.

I'm looking to purchase a new phone (4g). I'd like it to use AT&T's network. The LG Classic phone was recommended to me as a good phone.

I currently have service with Airvoice Wireless (prepaid over AT&T's network) but am okay with porting my number to another carrier if need be.

Is there anywhere I can purchase the LG Classic for this use case?

Thanks!
Workflowy. You won't know what you're missing until you try it.