Barbie is suddenly a big thing again thanks toGreta Gerwig’s hit moviefrom 2023. And now, in 2024, Barbie fans can add a bright pink flip phone to their collection. It will definitely take you back to the 90s/00s, but could it also help youbeat your smartphone addiction?
HMD’s Barbie Phone Is Here (Without Ken)
After first being announced at MWC in February 2024, HMD’s Barbie Phone is now officially official. And as you might have expected, it’s a bright pink feature phone which comes with a host of Barbie-inspired accessories.
The phone itself comes in a jewelry box, has a mirrored front, replaceable covers, a beaded phone strap, and vintage Barbie stickers you may use to decorate your handset.
When you turn the phone on, you’ll be greeted with “Hi Barbie,” and you can play a beach-themed Malibu Snake game. You can make calls, send texts, and use the handful of apps that come pre-installed. You can also use the 5MP camera to take Y2K-style photos which are currently on trend among GenZers looking to the past for inspiration.
Not only is HMD’s Barbie phone a feature phone (meaning it lacks the ability to add the third-party apps you are used to using every day), it’s also a flip phone. These were particularly popular during the 90s and 00s, so this design choice really hammers home that this is an homage to an earlier time.
Are Feature Phones the Key to Digital Detoxing?
One of the ways HMD is marketing its Barbie Phone is to extol the virtues ofswitching to a feature phonesuch as this one. Inits press release, HMD states that this is “designed for less browsing and more fun”, and is “perfect for taking a smartphone break”.
The lack of social media apps, streaming apps, and games means that using a feature phone is bound to not take up as much of your time as your smartphone. And to help further, HMD has included some “digital wellbeing tips” for anyone who buys into that.
In the US, HMD’s Barbie Phone will be available for pre-order fromHMD.comon September 23rd, with shipping starting on October 1st. It will work on all three major networks (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon), and set you back $129.
