After the 2023 film Barbie, many don’t want to see another piece of pink merch but HMD thinks otherwise. Late to the game, the Barbie Phone is here. The clamshell-style feature phone is pink and branded with Mattel’s Barbie logo.
Announced at Mobile World Congress earlier this year, the HMD Barbie Phone has no apps, just connectivity for calls and texts. Of course, HMD is pitching the device as a go-to digital detox solution, “a vacation from your smartphone”.
Needless to say, you wouldn’t want to do much beyond calls and messages because of the 2.8-inch inner screen, but remember, typing out T9 texts is worse than you remember. This flip phone has a reflective mirror-like finish on the outside with a tiny 1.77-inch monochrome cover display that shows time and date.
By default, HMD's new flip phone can make calls and send texts but there is nothing much you do beyond that.
There’s a 5MP camera with a built-in flash, which is perfect for that early digital camera look. It even blurts out, “Hi Barbie” when you power it on.
The unboxing experience is supposed to be like unboxing a Barbie. The flip phone has embossed Barbie-related emojis on the keyboard, a Barbie logo, two additional easy-to-replace back covers and a beaded lanyard with customisable charms. It even has a set of Barbie stickers, gems and a pink-coloured cleaning cloth.
HMD, you may remember as the company that led to the revival of Nokia-brand smartphones, is now crafting its smartphones along with feature phones developed in partnership with notable companies.
The Barbie Phone runs KaiOS that allows 4G connectivity, Wi-Fi, GPS, and access to apps including WhatsApp, Google Maps, and YouTube. But it’ll feel like you’re using the Symbian operating system from Nokia phones of old with a few extra features.
The device also comes with hidden Easter eggs for key Barbie dates and words: Type “BARBIE” by pressing *#227243# and you get Barbie wallpapers, *#ken# or *#536# for greetings from Ken and *#malibu# for Malibu beach sounds.
Oh, there’s a Malibu Snake version of the iconic Snake game. India pricing? It is yet to be announced but in the US the phone costs $129. We are curious: Do you want the upcoming iPhone 16 or the Barbie Phone?!
