Although flip phones have become lesser known, are they still helping people out with a call or text? Yes. Even though flip phones are less popular in 2025 than they were in 1995, these compact gadgets are not yet extinct. As one of the few who use a flip phone, I will say that there are pluses and minuses that come with the devices. But are they right for you? In this article, I will discuss the pros and cons of flip phones and include the opinions of your classmates and teachers to either support or oppose my message: flip phones are better than smartphones.

First of all, flip phones are a lot cheaper than your average smartphone. For example, your average iPhone 13 goes for around $599-$899, and this is only the initial purchase price! Your typical flip phone however is just $20-$100! When it comes to plans, there is also a huge difference with an average iPhone 13’s monthly plan being around $50+ dollars per month, and an average flip phone’s monthly plan being $15+. This leads us to the conclusion that a smartphone usually costs over 5x the amount of money that a flip phone would cost. This, however, isn’t the only reason flip phones are great.

 Another reason I think flip phones are better than smartphones is that flip phones are much healthier for you. According to Exploding Topics: “The average person spends 4 hours and 37 minutes on their phone every day.” This is considered unhealthy for many reasons including, but not limited to, eye strain, pain in the back and shoulders, increased depression and anxiety, and lack of sleep at night. Excessive use of cell phones is bad for young people especially. With flip phones, you are often given four options: (attempt) to take a selfie with your decent camera, text your mom to pick you up at Starbucks after school, or, after struggling with the confusing buttons on your phone, just call her instead. Sure, if you’re lucky you can look up something on Google or watch Youtube and play Snake, but that’s it. With the lack of addictive material on flip phones, it discourages you from spending too much time on it. Flip phones are easily better for you in this department, which is one of the biggest reasons I use one. On the topic of lack of content, social media is not usually accessible, preventing you from getting sucked into this often over-addictive and sometimes traumatizing world. According to Britannica: “Social media has been shown to act like gambling or recreational drugs.” It is even as addictive as cigarettes! It turns out that around 59% of teens in the US have even been cyber bullied on social media as well. This is not the only thing that affects people who are addicted to social media. Other symptoms include anxiety, depression, and also uninterest in the real world. With social media almost out of reach of those who use flip phones, these individuals often lead happier and healthier lives. Unfortunately, most smartphone users are unaware of all of these risks, making flip phones a much healthier option unless you carefully use your smartphone extremely wisely. 

Even though I have praised the flip phone throughout this article, there are still drawbacks from having one. The biggest drawback already mentioned earlier is lack of material and high tech. With the basic flip phones, you can only do basic things, like call or text. As simple as the phone is, however, it can take a long time to text with each numbered button. When it comes to tech, you can also expect an experience that is far from perfect. For example, the camera on your typical flip phone is often low quality and takes forever to take the actual picture. So, if you were taking a picture with your dog and he/she moved even the slightest bit, the image would come out blurred where your pet moved. When comparing the camera and screen to the one I had on my play camera when I was little, there isn’t much of a difference. Another drawback is that there is no touch screen option available, so you must learn to use the buttons on the flip phone. The phones can also be laggy and slow, especially when using “extras” (Youtube, Google, Social Media, video games, etc.). Overall, I still believe that the pros of flip phones trump the cons.

What does Montrose think about flip phones? Do they prefer them or smartphones? Based on a survey, 16% of Montrose believe that flip phones are better than smartphones and 84% say that smartphones are better than flip phones. Here is what the individuals who prefer smart phones say,

“I think flip phones might be less convenient because so many people have smart phones it gets a bit harder. Also, smartphones are easier to text and call with. If you want to text with a flip phone, it is a long, windy process.” -Elizabeth Z ‘31

“Appreciate the advantages to stay connected with my children + photos. But Mr Baker enjoys his flip phone a lot!”-Mrs. E Baker

“Easier to use, more up to date, camera quality, & entertainment” -Medina R ‘27

“They are convenient and offer lots of options to communicate with someone, take photos and so much more.” -Gabri O ‘30

“I prefer smart phones now because they enable me to do many things in one place. However, I think society functioned better when everybody has a flip phone.” -Mrs.Vitello

 It appears that Montrosians prefer smartphones due to their ease of use, innovative tech, and its other high quality multipurpose functions. As a person who loves innovation and technology, I admit that these are the features that my flip phone lacks that I wish it didn’t. On the other hand, this is what those who think flip phones are better say,

“Phones should be a means of communication. I have a smart phone because it has so much more functionality but there are so many times that I wish I didn’t!” -Mrs. M Baker

“Though flip phones are not as modern as smart phones, they are much less distracting. This helps with a lot of things that have to do with academics.” -Kate C ‘31

“for age, personally, I think kids under 13 should have flip phones so they are not exposed to content that is not age appropriate.” -Olivia P ‘30

“I made the biggest mistake of my life in 2011 when I turned in my flip phone and bought an iPhone. I am counting down the days until I can turn in my iPhone for a flip phone again. A flip phone gives you everything that you *need* while allowing you to connect with the humans around you and focus on the things that truly matter.” -Mrs. Daubert

“My smart phone is very addicting. I wish I could go back to a flip phone, but I have to have the smart phone for working.” -Anonymous

 This shows that these Mavericks prefer flip phones over smartphones because of their simplicity and lack of distractions and addictions, which I support all the way. Overall, the Montrose community prefers smart phones over flip phones. In the end, it all comes down to your lifestyle and if you’re willing to make the sacrifices that come with making the switch. What will you choose?

By Nora Daubert ‘31, Contributing Writer

31ndaubert@montroseschool.org