TCL only sells the Flip phone in Stone Gray, which looks black to me. It’s functional, but nostalgic in a way that may appeal to anyone who grew up in the early aughts when flip phones were ubiquitous.
(Credit: Sarah Lord)
Like its predecessors, the Flip 4 is made entirely of plastic. It has a matte grip, making it easy to hold. The phone measures 4.29 by 2.34 by 0.84 inches (HWD) when shut and weighs 4.60 ounces. It is slightly taller and thicker than the $79.99 Flip 3 (4.22 by 2.34 by 0.78 inches, 5.06 ounces), but lighter. The $89.99 Nokia 2780 Flip (4.33 by 2.28 by 0.77 inches, 4.62 ounces) is similar in size and weight.
TCL opted for an embedded battery, unlike previous versions, which had removable rear covers and replaceable batteries. That means the phone is all sealed up. TCL moved the combined SIM and microSD card slot from the battery cavity to the phone’s right side, where it sits alongside the volume rocker, and is easily accessible. The phone’s left side houses a 3.5mm headphone jack, and the USB-C port for charging is on the bottom edge.
Similar Products
Our Current Picks for
The Best Cheap Phones for 2025
(Credit: Sarah Lord)
The front panel features a small external screen as well as the camera, flash, and programmable Quick Dial button. These elements are covered in glossy plastic, which attracts fingerprints. Thankfully, the matte portions of the rear and sides of the phone don’t catch prints at all.Â
(Credit: Sarah Lord)
Pressing the Quick Dial button twice opens the camera, allowing you to take a selfie. Pressing the button three times initiates a call to a linked number, which you can add in the settings. Long-pressing the Quick Dial button activates the flashlight mode, though you need to activate this in the Quick Dial settings.
I was easily able to open the phone with my thumb in a single motion. It’s an improvement over the Flip 3, which had a stiff hinge that prevented one-handed opening.
A navigation pad below the hinge centers around a multi-directional key and its OK button. The Send and one shortcut button are to the left, and the End and a second shortcut button are to the right. The Favorite, Message, and Back buttons are located below the navigation pad, followed by the large 12-key numerical keypad. All the buttons are large, raised, textured, and illuminated when pressed.
(Credit: Sarah Lord)
There’s no protection against dust and moisture. Most simple voice phones lack an IP rating, so be careful around water. If you’re looking for a more durable phone, the $299.99 Kyocera DuraXA Equip has an IP68 rating and is fully waterproof.