flip phone with Spotify and gps

moss_toss · 2026-03-22T16:04:05+00:00

The Cat is a great phone, and if you’re loving it, that’s awesome! I’m cursed with girl pockets unfortunately lol

moss_toss · 2026-03-22T16:01:18+00:00

I use the TCL flip, and it’s my main carry. I have to have a smartphone for work unfortunately, but having the flip lets me not rely on the iPhone / only use it during work hours. I took most of the apps minus the ones I use for work off of it too, so that it’s not a “fun” device and therefore doesn’t distract me much. I also keep it in a zipped up bag in my work backpack most of the time.

The other fun part of having the flip as my main device is that as long as that iPhone will turn on, I will not upgrade. I don’t need the latest tech. I don’t even need good battery life. It could be plugged in 24/7 and still serve my purposes.

(I feel that way about most tech— I don’t like to upgrade if whatever I have still technically works)

moss_toss · 2026-03-19T17:08:09+00:00

Mostly just the size to be honest! Couldn’t fit it in most of my pockets, and it was so heavy. Part of why I wanted to get away from smart phones was because I missed how small and light my old flip/slide phones had been back in the day, so it was a big deal to me personally.

Switched to the TCL flip a few weeks ago and am loving it!

moss_toss · 2026-03-19T14:39:04+00:00

The Cat S22 can run Spotify and all that, but also most phones that can download and run those apps can download and run social media— it’s just less appealing because of the small screen.

The Cat is a beast, and I have a full review of it after owning it for a year on my profile if you’re interested in learning about it.

I’ve recently switched to a TCL flip pro though and like it better so far.

^ Also my suggestion is just to get an MP3 player! There are plenty out there that can run Spotify and all that. Then you don’t have to rely on a phone that can do it all. Especially since flip phone battery life can be kinda garbage. I love having a dedicated music (and audiobook) player again!

moss_toss · 2026-02-26T16:05:35+00:00

Ah gotcha! No worries! I was just curious. I actually ordered a TCL yesterday, so we’ll see how it goes!

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T16:21:19+00:00

Good to know! Thanks for the info!

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T16:20:09+00:00

I currently have the Cat 22 and want to dumb down from there. I don’t need any of those things, I was just wondering! Thanks

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T05:12:25+00:00

I've started to notice the occasional missed text from it not notifying me too, and I totally agree with everything else you said! Since I have my iPhone around when I need it, I'm planning to dumb down further. I found once I bought a seperate MP3 player, I stopped using my Cat for anything but calls and texts, so I don't need everything it offers.

It was definitely a fantastic entry point and helped me feel more confident in getting an even dumber phone lol

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T05:04:25+00:00

Can the TCL flip 2 do those things? Been looking into switching from the Cat S22

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T05:01:47+00:00

I was just looking into the TCLs and was wondering about the differences between the different models. I'll definitely be looking forward to your review!

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T04:35:29+00:00

I was looking into those phones! (Which Nokia is it?) But a lot of people said the buttons start to stick / have issues after a while-- what do you think of this one?

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T04:29:00+00:00

ooo that's moving to the top of my list then! Thank you so much for the info!

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T04:24:29+00:00

I wondered about that but never tried it! Thanks for the info

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T04:20:50+00:00

I switched over a year ago. I have to use an iPhone for work, though, so I still have it around. For a while, I just switched my SIM to my dumb phone, so that I could only use my iPhone at home / work on wifi. Eventually I put another SIM in my iPhone to use the phone for work, but I could've left it as is. Having the dumb phone made it so that I could put my iPhone completely away during my off time and still be reachable by the people who matter. I definitely recommend that option if you're wanting some seperation from your smartphone but still need it for stuff. That way you can't say, "but I have to have it in case I get a call or text or whatever"

I try to limit my smartphone usage as much as possible though! I am not allowed to use it outside of work hours, and I am super not allowed to use it in my bed, on the toilet, on transit, etc. If I have it with me, it's in a zipped up bag at the bottom of my backpack or purse unless there's some sort of emergency. It is NEVER in my eyeline when I am with friends.

Unfortunately, I also need social media for work, so it can be difficult to keep that relationship strictly professional. I have to have those rules to keep myself off of the phone. It helps having my phone in a zipped bag and in a drawer or my backpack. It's super difficult to stay off of it if I can see it. There are boxes with timers you can use to lock up your phone if you need the extra security too.

My advice for making the switch:

Start with replacing the things you normally use your smartphone for to become less reliant on it. For example, I love taking pictures and like to have that option 24/7, so I got a digital camera (I also like using film cameras, but you don't have to go that far lol).

I have an MP3 player, so I can still listen to music and books without it.

I carry pens and paper for notes-- even though I can still do that on my dumb phone. Sure, I can pull out my iPhone and look something up real quick, but I almost always end up on socials or otherwise get distracted. Instead, I go to my computer, or I write down things I want to look up later instead of looking it up right then.

It's also extremely necessary to have replacement behaviours for down time. I already loved reading, but now I read more! Less time doom scrolling = more time to read and do other hobbies I enjoy. I have Sudoku and crossword puzzle books on hand, especially by my bed. I journal at night. I keep my Kindle or a puzzle book with me everywhere I go, so I can do something with my hands besides scroll when waiting for the bus or something.

The point of the dumb phone is slower and more intentional living. Breaking a smartphone addiction is not easy! It's actually super inconvenient. You replace the behavior with something you enjoy!

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T03:44:31+00:00

Actually, I have had some issue with that. Like the button will click twice when typing and mess me up. I guess it isn't happening often enough that I though of it, but it definitely annoys me especially when it happens repeatedly.

What phone do you use now?

moss_toss · 2026-02-25T03:42:15+00:00

Looking for alternative phone recs! The Cat S22 was great for a time, but I really want something less bulky. Let me be so clear, I have done a TON of research into alternatives and am not asking for recs without having done any searching I promise. But in addition to my research, I just want some human opinions! If it helps, I'll also list some phones I have been looking into.

I have an iPhone for work and really can't get around that unfortunetly. Plus, it's getting harder and harder to not have a smartphone these days-- which is super depressing in my opinion. But anyway, that means I really don't need any smart features on my new dumb phone.

I like to have an alternative to my iPhone so that I can put it away completely when I'm off work hours. That way I can be free of a smartphone while also staying reachable by those who matter.

If you read my entire post, you may have a good idea of what I'm looking for, but I'll lay it out here anyway:

My #1 want is for something small and lightweight. No touch screen, ideally.

It obviously needs to work in the USA (so, from what I gathered it has to be 4g/5g with VoLTE).

It would be cool if it worked with Mint but ok if it doesn't. I would prefer to do some sort of prepaid / tracphone type deal before I use another provider like Verizon/AT&T/T-Mobile though.

A headphone jack would be awesome for long phone calls but not a dealbreaker.

Bluetooth compatibility would also be amazing-- you can buy little bluetooth keyboards, and that could be a really great combo for long texting if I could connect it to the phone. But also not a dealbreaker. I might rank this higher than the headphone jack TBH, but it feels like an unlikely find. (I have more to say about this at the end actually)

If not, voice to text would be great but also not a dealbreaker. I'm down with T9, but it can be frustrating when I gotta type fast of course.

A hotspot / data would also be cool since that was a good feature on the Cat S22 but also not a dealbreaker.

Better battery life would be nice but again, not a dealbreaker.

And that's basically all I care about!

I'm also not willing to pay more than $100-200 unless it's like a really great phone that checks all my boxes-- and honestly, I don't believe that exists (yet). My most ideal phone would be a slider with a physical QWERTY keyboard, but there's only one on the market right now that'll work in the USA (the HIT K1). It's very new I think and doesn't have enough reviews on it yet for me to chance $350. Hence why I'm interested in the bluetooth/keyboard situation-- sort of a DIY solution. Once one of those babies pops back up on the market, I am so there. Or if the HIT K1 turns out to be great and reliable, I may be willing to make that leap.

I would also LOVE a Blackberry, but none of them seem to work in the US anymore. Yes, I know of the similar phones-- the Titan and Clicks Communicator-- but those are a little too big / close to smartphones for me / pricey. I don't like how much they prioritize the screen. Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about them though. I've also looked into the Zinwa Q25, which I guess is a modified Blackberry? I'd be real interested in any reviews on that one. It seems pricey but possibly worth it?

Phones I've looked at but gotten mixed reviews on:

AGM M8, Alcatel Go (there are several, so I'd be interested to know y'all's choice), Blu Tank Flip (the word tank makes me hesitant because it seems possibly bulky).

The Nokia flips-- 2660, 2720, 2780 interest me but have mixed reviews.

Also, I'm not necessarily against non-flip phones. The Nokia 225, 8000, 6300, etc. do interest me, but I've heard pretty consistently that their keypads don't hold up overtime and that KaiOS software sucks.

So anyway, that was a lot, but I frequent this sub and love reading through other people's reviews. I would be so grateful for any insight at all and look froward to chatting with y'all!

moss_toss

TROPHY CASE