Why are flip phones coming back? Gen Z is powering a renaissance for the forgotten device

What goes around, comes around.

Popularized in the late ’90s and early ’00s, clamshell "flip phones" were trendy for their compact design – a fraction of the size of chunky "brick" phones a few years earlier – and offered satisfying closure when you hung up a call.

But flip phones weren't ideal for texting as you had to press a key up to three times to land on the letter you want, not to mention super-small screens. And if you were lucky to own a flip phone with a camera, photos were grainy or pixelated.

Feature-rich smartphones – like the iPhone in 2007 and Android devices starting in 2008 – quickly stole market share from flip phones and other cellphones (including "candy bar"-shaped devices).

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Fast forward to 2023, and despite its limitations, this retro tech seems to be a fascination among Gen Z.

Why are we back to flip phones?

Thanks to many high-profile TikTok personalities talking about flip phones, the hashtag #bringbackflipphones has more than 25 million views on the social media platform, along with other related and trending hashtags, such as #y2kaesthetic.

The craze could be linked initially to Sammy Palazzolo (@skzzolno), who says flip phones aren't just about retro kitsch, but the 18-year-old college freshman believes our reliance on smartphones could have a negative effect on young users, and trading them for a simpler flip phone when going out with friends leads to a better and less stressful night.

While sales data isn't yet available, Google tells USA TODAY searches for "flip phone" increased by more than 140% over the past five years.

Even young entertainers, such as 25-year-old Cuban-born Camila Cabello, posted this to her 13 million followers on Twitter: "I'm team flip phone revolution. Maybe I can write the theme song guys ????????"

"It started with Samsung's flip phone and has been a big hit in South Korea," says Tim Bajarin, a veteran technology analyst and Chairman of the San Jose, California-based market research firm Creative Strategies, in an interview with USA TODAY. "Then it started showing up in TikTok videos, which got the attention of Gen Z, a demographic not familiar with the flip phones of the 1990s, and they began searching for those models."

Bajarin says flip phones seem "like a fad for this generation at this moment," however social media's interest in flip phones could eventually have an impact on new smartphone designs, "if it shows a real demand for them."

Gen Z TikTokers have also posted about other retro tech, including film cameras (and instant print cameras), turntables, cassette players, and arcade machines.

How much is a flip phone?

There are a couple of options for buying a flip phone.

Resist buying an old flip phone – say, on eBay – as this vintage tech may not work now that most major carriers have shut down 3G service last year.

Like Sammy K, you can spend between $20 and $50 for a new flip phone, with some of the higher-end models featuring "modern" conveniences like Bluetooth connectivity and a better camera with flash.

Or you can opt for a modern twist on the classic flip phone design, which will cost as much as a smartphone.

Starting at $889, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 has an innovative OLED screen that folds in half.

When closed, this 5G-enabled flip phone is small enough to slip into your jeans or clutch purse, and with a 1.9-inch Cover Screen to view notifications and messages on the outside, and integrated Samsung Pay to buy something at retail by waving the device over a contactless terminal.

When you want more real estate, however, perhaps to view a TikTok video, play a game, read an ebook, or browse the web – the Z Flip4 opens to reveal a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED display, with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

Or fold it halfway for hands-free video calling, propped up in an "L" shape, to place on a table or desk.

The waterproof Android-powered phone also features twin 12-megapixel cameras (plus 10-megapixel selfie camera), fast wireless charging, and several colors.

Follow Marc on Twitter for his "Tech Tip of the Day" posts: @marc_saltzman. Email him or subscribe to his Tech It Out podcast. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Are flip phones making a comeback? The old tech piques Gen Z's interest.