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 470616 times)

Offline eli1571

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1300 on: January 18, 2021, 07:16:41 PM »
maybe be all very true but if you are 1. want to use tello and  2. want to filter may be the only option.
what about alcatel go flip 3. its 4g, sold on tello's website now reduced to $75 ?

Offline azforkosh

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1301 on: January 18, 2021, 08:52:31 PM »
what about alcatel go flip 3. its 4g, sold on tello's website now reduced to $75 ?
Stay away from Alcatel phones

Offline myi

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1302 on: January 18, 2021, 11:03:42 PM »
what about alcatel go flip 3. its 4g, sold on tello's website now reduced to $75 ?
Indeed. Garbage phones.
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Offline Danlover111

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1303 on: January 19, 2021, 05:58:44 AM »
Hot mobile? That's a gsm service.
 Let alone T-Mobile doesn't work here in the US. Works on 2g and at&t works with 3g if your lucky.
 I would not suggest this device.

 Look for the UN220 or something similar.
Hot mobile is a cell phone provider in Israel.
 Where can i get a UN220

Offline myi

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1304 on: January 19, 2021, 10:24:09 AM »
Hot mobile is a cell phone provider in Israel.
 Where can i get a UN220
I just saw one on eBay for $119.
  But I think that's gone now.
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Offline Mikes@Micro

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1305 on: January 19, 2021, 02:03:22 PM »
Does this work in israel with a hot sim? And USA with usmobile sim?
Many use it on Hot and Golan but you will not have 4g as they all use Band 3 - not supported by this phone or the UN220 so they would be the same in israel.
That said, they are prob better than any other israeli meushar phone, and VoLTE is not widespread בהארץ.
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Offline shabbosabba

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1306 on: January 19, 2021, 02:51:30 PM »
The un220 can be bought for about 130 heavily used on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/LG-Wine-LTE-UN220-8GB-Silver-GSM-Unlocked-Cellular-Phone-003-/133399835505?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292 or in better condition for 160+ on eBay

Offline eli1571

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1307 on: January 19, 2021, 07:28:11 PM »
Stay away from Alcatel phones
Indeed. Garbage phones.
for talk and text as well ? dont need it for browsing

Offline shabbosabba

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1308 on: January 19, 2021, 08:01:56 PM »
Alcatel is the worst! I know of multiple different models. I have friends who only use talk and text. The problems range from either being slow when you text, incoherent phone conversations, to just overall cheap laggy phones. Some models scroll through the entire text conversation automatically when you click on it to bring you to the end. It's not a well thought out phone.
Just because you only use it for talk and text does not mean it will be any better.
Stay away!!!

Offline TzviR

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1309 on: January 19, 2021, 08:11:02 PM »
for talk and text as well? don't need it for browsing
YES! It's a bad phone for everything, even just talk and text. Unless you have no other option stay away.

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Offline myi

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1310 on: January 20, 2021, 02:32:23 AM »
for talk and text as well ? dont need it for browsing
I recently bought two Alcatel smart flips for two siblings.
  They've been complaining since day one that the phone is not clear, very slow, turns off on them.

To me it's a little odd that a company like Alcatel would spend so much money on some Chinese garbage.

if they're looking to spend money why not spend a few more bucks and make it a solid rugged phone.

 If you can find the LG classic Flip or the LG wine two or the exalt version that's unlocked or the Kyocera Cadence that would be your best option.
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Offline Kosher_Cellutions

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1311 on: January 20, 2021, 12:38:53 PM »
I recently bought two Alcatel smart flips for two siblings.
  They've been complaining since day one that the phone is not clear, very slow, turns off on them.

To me it's a little odd that a company like Alcatel would spend so much money on some Chinese garbage.

if they're looking to spend money why not spend a few more bucks and make it a solid rugged phone.

 If you can find the LG classic Flip or the LG wine two or the exalt version that's unlocked or the Kyocera Cadence that would be your best option.

Because they sell millions of handsets a month thats why....Those phones worldwide have been very successful for them.
www.kosherlgclassic.com
www.koshertclflip.com
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Offline davidd75

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1312 on: January 20, 2021, 01:06:05 PM »
YES! It's a bad phone for everything, even just talk and text. Unless you have no other option stay away.

it might be only option if you want 4G, Tello and TAG filter

Offline TzviR

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1313 on: January 20, 2021, 03:53:11 PM »
it might be only option if you want 4G, Tello and TAG filter
there's a reason I left tello :(

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1314 on: January 20, 2021, 05:38:49 PM »
Not sure if this helps anyone, but I spoke to tello today. Now with the T-Mobile Sprint merger, tello now offers GSM. So I wouldn't say that you're stuck to only garbage Alcatel phones. The only thing you need to keep in mind, is that the phone has to be VOLte compatible.

Offline shabbosabba

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1315 on: January 20, 2021, 05:51:17 PM »
To me it's a little odd that a company like Alcatel would spend so much money on some Chinese garbage.

if they're looking to spend money why not spend a few more bucks and make it a solid rugged phone.

These phones run on a cheap OS which sells phenomenally in other cheap third world countries and therefore most people who buy these phones can't really afford an expensive phone. Hence the reason why they're buying this.  So basically, when you're buying an Alcatel you're buying cheap third world garbage.

Offline azforkosh

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1316 on: January 20, 2021, 09:36:08 PM »
These phones run on a cheap OS which sells phenomenally in other cheap third world countries and therefore most people who buy these phones can't really afford an expensive phone. Hence the reason why they're buying this.  So basically, when you're buying an Alcatel you're buying cheap third world garbage.
That's true.
It runs on 'KaiOS' software (KaiOS is a tiny OS made for super low-end devices), which was rarely used in North America until the Alcatel 4G basic devices.

Offline eli1571

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1317 on: January 21, 2021, 08:34:06 AM »
That's true.
It runs on 'KaiOS' software (KaiOS is a tiny OS made for super low-end devices), which was rarely used in North America until the Alcatel 4G basic devices.
actually all the new nokia basic handsets which they are updating to 4g, such as the 6300 800 etc all run on kaios

Offline davidd75

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1318 on: January 21, 2021, 09:03:35 AM »
Not sure if this helps anyone, but I spoke to tello today. Now with the T-Mobile Sprint merger, tello now offers GSM. So I wouldn't say that you're stuck to only garbage Alcatel phones. The only thing you need to keep in mind, is that the phone has to be VOLte compatible.

interesting thanks!
so what other basic 4G filterable phone options are there now with the upcoming merger?

Offline myi

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Re: REVIVE THE FLIP PHONE
« Reply #1319 on: January 22, 2021, 03:24:52 PM »
Never seen this phone, What service does this work on?

https://www.lg.com/us/cell-phones/lg-AN220-wine
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