HMD Barbie | Flip | Unlocked | KaiOS | Power Pink | US Version

This phone is now my daily use phone. It replaced my Samsung Galaxy S24. I only had eSim in my S24 though T-Mobile, so I went into the store to get a physical Sim card, which they installed for me. I turned on the phone and made a call and it worked perfectly, loud and clear! I forgot how much I had missed the shape of flip phones while I am on a call. They just make sense ergonomically. The phone itself is great. Startup is cute, it says "Hi Barbie" at the loadup screen. It's pretty customizable. I set up my speed dial contacts, set up a quick call contact (my husband) for the action button below the volume bar, and I ordered an SD card to add music. On KaiOS, there is an app store. PodLP is available to listen to podcasts. I subscribed to a few of my favorites already. Then you can access FM radio via wired headphones, which will be good for the gym if I get bored of my own music. The grip is good in the hands. Of course, it will take getting used to, since we are all predisposed to heavy rectangles. This is lightweight and beautiful. It did slip out of my hands at one point when I was being careless, and (just like in the old Nokia days) the back fell off and battery fell out. The thing is, I prefer that to a massive glass shatter on a 1200 dollar phone. It comes with 3 cases for the back. The cases feel slippery and plasticky, but durable. I feel that the phone is well protected. The battery lasts all day no problem, even though I have been tinkering around on it downloading apps and playing games (new phones always get a lot of attention in their first few weeks am I right?) but it holds up! I could see it easily lasting closer to 3 or 4 days if I don't do all that. I will very likely come and update this review after a month or so of use. I put some stickers on the mirror side of the phone. I made sure that they didn't block the time and notification display. I also added the little beaded strap and swirly back case. It's definitely eye-catching! You know, it's interesting enough to see someone unironically using a flip phone these days, so one this adorable is bound to get comments. My husband called while I was checking out at Trader Joe's and the cashier said "IS THAT A FLIP PHONE?!" She was so excited to see it and when I told her it was actually Barbie themed she was very interested. So many questions like "How do you not have a smart phone, isn't it so hard?" etc. I did grow up in the 80's and 90's so it wasn't a difficult adjustment since I already know how to type, navigate, and speed dial on these phones. But it is freeing to go to the park with my daughter and really experience the moments. Not get a notification for TikTok or YT or a facebook comment and feel that urge to check it. Once you check that notification, you're bound to check something else, and so on and so on... until all your kid knows is you've got your face stuck to your phone again while she plays alone. Not anymore. Come on, Barbie. Let's go party! Lets get back to a basic phone with perks like Google Maps and Podcasts, and say no to constant social media and content connection. We aren't built for that! Side note, I also got a cute little screen free camera (won't say the brand here but it's to SNAP photos at CAMP let's just say.) Between the screen free camera and the flip phone I am LOVING life. And actually living it.

colourful, great phone. the pink plastic is very Barbie!, and the number/symbol buttons each have a different Barbie symbol that adds to the style. it has just enough basic bells and whistles to make it useful in this day and age for me as i try out moving away from smartphones. if you have used flip-phones before, pretty straight forward to navigate and use. i felt it was worth the cost for the extra blingage this comes with (3 alternate covers, charms & sticker for decoration and my favourite--the added *beaded wrist* lanyard(?) ~only available at the time of purchase in the U.S. version). i also used it with a sim card in asia to tether my smartphone for data use. durability-wise, it feels similar to the flip phones i had back in the day... the only drawback i could find so far is that the battery life is short, especially when tethering. so depending on situation, you may also want to have a portable powerbank.

Best thing I have done for myself in a long time. I am so happy with this phone, it is cute, stylish, does everything I need it to, and has given me a much-needed break from social media and the internet. 10/10 recommend. The only downside is that you cannot receive group texts. you can send them, though! It even has Google Maps!

I liked it, it is really cute and functional and easy to switch, but it died died, like won't work or turn on anymore and I have no idea why.

If you want a flip phone this one is a great option. The bonus to having this flip phone in its basic nature is that it does have google maps on it; so that’s a helpful option that isn’t in many basic phone options. It does not have an Apple Store it will be the Kios one and as a person who doesn’t need apps having the option is nice, the quality of those apps would have to be up to people who use them regularly. The rings have Barbie themes in them which is cute, along with Barbie health tips on detoxing. No cute Ken message that some people mentioned, but that might only be on the international versions. So make sure you buy for the right region. It does not have T9 text messaging, it does have something similar with ABC predict which you will have to scroll over to find the right word. It slows down your ability to text if you have mastered T9, but once you learn it I’m sure you be fast like you were with the other method. It does have emojis and the ability to receive those and send pics without downloading data like some make you do. I have prepaid Verizon on it, and it worked right away. My SIM card didn’t fit quite right and to save time and money I shaved one side, the plastic part, and it fit just fine. It has clear voice and better reception from my old flip phone. The other pink cases you can switch out is very nice in design. The hot pink reminds me of the Barbie convertible car and the soft plastic feels like Barbie’s Mattel toys would feel like. It gives me the childlike joy of getting a Barbie from my grandmother every year, so it adds that sentimental feeling when picking it up. The only true complaint I would have is the reflective mirror on the top case. I was never a person who liked to check my face often so that isn’t a useful feature to me. I find it distracting when light catches it. I just wished it gave me an option to switch out the top case because of that. I will just put a vinyl over it but that’s me fixing it to my preference. As a consumer the downfall would be lack of Bluetooth. Outside of that I see it as a good starter phone, detox phone, senior phone, or anyone who just doesn’t want a smart phone.

Great phone, but I do not reccommend doing the update it shows, after the update the phone started turning off. I had to reset the factory settings and everything went back to normal.

A great starter phone for a child as it is not a smart phone. Children are able to text as well as make and receive calls. Comes with many accessories including 2 cases and a mirrored back. The phone has a camera as well. Also great for anyone who wants to take a break from their smart phone. Purchased the US model and it works with both a monthly plan and a prepaid Sim.

Super

I am in love with this phone. Takes me back to being a child again. Does what it says it does. Gives you a break from this AI world. Way better than expected. All the accessories are so cute!

I purchased this phone specifically for KaiOS but received the European version with Mocor RTOS instead. This is not a minor difference. The US version has KaiOS 3.1, WiFi with hotspot, GPS, a 5MP camera, and 4GB storage. The European version I received has Mocor RTOS with no WiFi, no GPS, a useless 0.3MP camera, and only 128MB storage. KaiOS was the only reason I bought this phone. Mocor RTOS is an ancient operating system with no app store, no downloadable apps, and severely limited functionality. Both versions cost the same price, but one is objectively worse in every way. HMD is selling two completely different products under the same name without making it clear to customers. Check the OS specifications carefully before buying. If you want KaiOS features, make absolutely sure you're not getting the Mocor version.