Like many of you, I live in a tech bubble of no return. People in this bubble surround themselves with lots of gadgets, subscribe to services they rarely use, and post every life event as an update on social media. And perhaps to break that bubble, there’s the new Nokia 2660 Flip. For me, however, using the Nokia 2660 Flip had more to do with my love of old-school clamshells than giving up my iPhone for a “simple” phone. This approach clearly worked and I was able to fit this feature phone into my little tech bubble as well.
The hippie in me wanted a “real” clamshell phone
My love for clamshell phones is not new. In the 2000s, the Motorola Razr was on everyone’s lips even before the iPhone was launched. I couldn’t afford the Razr, but I ended up buying a Sony Ericsson flip phone when I went to college. As smartphones became more popular, clamshell phones started to decline in popularity and were eventually phased out — except in Japan, where they’re still popular. The hipster in me wanted a clamshell phone—a real one that clicks into place with a satisfying click, not a clamshell-style foldable phone. I tried looking for it on Amazon and found that no one makes a flip phone anymore. I then contacted a seller on OLX and tried to get a Moto Razr, but battery issues made me abandon the plan of buying a used phone. This is where the Nokia 2660 Flip comes in.
I’ve been using the Nokia 2660 Flip for just over a week and oooh it’s pretty. (Credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
The feeling
There is a certain nostalgia when using the Nokia 2660 Flip. I’m just wondering how a teenager born in the late 2000s would be using a Nokia clamshell phone in 2022. Even those who used vintage-style clamshell phones in their childhood will feel uncomfortable using a clamshell phone on a daily basis.
This bright red phone is exactly what you want to have fun with. It’s hard to miss. “Is that a clamshell phone?” a fellow passenger asked politely on the plane. Another continued to stare but didn’t find the confidence to convert curiosity into conversation.
There’s no fancy, durable aluminum chassis or glass black here. The polycarbonate body doesn’t look and feel cheap. The phone has rounded corners and a chubby appearance, almost toy-like. The Nokia 2660 Flip impresses with its size and light weight. I had no problem putting it in my jeans pocket. I wish I could say that about modern smartphones.
The Nokia 2660 Flip is a “real” clamshell phone. (Credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
The folding mechanism feels sturdy and reliable. There is a sharp click when folded which I loved. You’ll never get that sense of satisfaction from a modern smartphone that doesn’t fold in half unless you pay thousands for a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.
If you’re used to a classic Nokia phone, you’ll feel right at home with the Nokia 2660 Flip. The back of the device is detachable and reveals slots for two SIM cards, a MicroSD slot and a removable 1500mAh battery. The phone supports a headphone jack and Bluetooth for connecting to your wireless headphones. A micro USB 2.0 port is located on the far left of the phone. The power button is on the right side and is nice and clicky. The volume rocker stays on the right side.
The user interface is simple and easy to navigate. (Credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Two screens
Once you get used to opening and closing a Nokia 2600 Flip, it’s time to get acquainted with the screens. This phone has two of them, an external screen and a display inside. You get an external 1.7-inch display that’s meant for showing essential information like the time, alerts, and notifications. I found the secondary display handy as you can check notifications and time without opening the phone.
A 0.3-megapixel camera with a flash is located just above the front panel external display. I don’t have much to say about the camera; It’s really bad for 2022. The main screen is tiny at 2.8 inches compared to today’s smartphones, but big enough to read texts, check the calendar or play preloaded games. One feature older people may want to use is an enlarged user interface that makes it easier to read what’s on the screen. When you’re done, simply snap it shut to end calls.
The Nokia 2660 Flip looks like a toy. (Credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Daily use
Before I started using the Nokia 2660 Flip I knew why I wanted to use this device. There’s no touchscreen, lacks support for apps like WhatsApp, and you can’t play games that even a basic smartphone can handle. The operating system is simple and reminiscent of other Nokia feature phones. Apps like Facebook, Snake and some other games are preinstalled on the device. I won’t even tell you the specifications of this device – because that is irrelevant to the experience you have with such a device.
The first thing to understand; It is not intended to replace my iPhone or any smartphone you already own. I’ve always wanted a second phone for emergencies. There have been times when my phone has had no signal or battery for hours, like when I was on a long train ride recently. When you travel, the long battery life comes in handy if you have a second phone. The Nokia 2660 Flip’s battery lasts for days, and that solves my purpose of investing in a second phone. This is my primary means of communication these days, despite the fact that typing on a T9 keyboard is frustrating and there’s no WhatsApp. But at least I can call someone or text them in an emergency.
I take the Nokia 2660 Flip with me when I go for a morning walk, but not every day. It depends on my mood – it can’t be my main phone. When I feel like disconnecting from the outside world for some time and want a break from the message cycle and WhatsApp notifications, I use the Nokia 2660 Flip. I recently left my iPhone at home and went to a park in the morning with my Kindle and Nokia 2660 Flip. I didn’t get distracted and enjoyed reading a book after a long time.
The Nokia 2660 Flip has a removable back cover. (Credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Who should buy the Nokia 2660 Flip?
Think about it: why would someone already so used to a smartphone switch to a Nokia 2660 Flip in 2022? Perhaps the person who wants to buy this phone has a fondness for classic phones of the past and would like to add the Nokia 2660 Flip to the collection. I have a feeling that many users who long for simpler times and want to keep their smartphones down will probably reach for the Nokia 2660 Flip. Older people could be another target group for this type of phone, which is easy to use and lasts a long time. There’s also an emerging group of users who are turning vintage technology into a fashion statement. Vintage tech nostalgia is real and already a big trend on TikTok. If there’s one type of user who won’t buy this phone, it’s the budget feature phone consumer. The price ensures this isn’t on their radar.
Not everyone would be open to the idea of spending money Rs 4,699 on a feature phone. I never intended to make the Nokia 2660 Flip my primary device; The intention was always to use it alongside the iPhone. I’m still struggling to reduce my dependency on a smartphone, and hanging up the phone isn’t always an option when in the news business. I can’t imagine a world without a smartphone, but I feel a digital detox is needed whenever possible. Perhaps the Nokia 2660 Flip will help build a healthier relationship with technology.
