In 2020, Samsung introduced its Z Flip flip phone. In 2023, Google presented its answer to the flip phone – the Pixel Fold. As a result, many technology companies launched their own solution for the updated flip phone.
Google shows no signs of slowing down, announcing just this week that it will be adding the Pixel Fold to its flagship phone lineup. Where these brands started, more are sure to follow. This Y2K-inspired format is finding its way into new and mainstream technologies, meaning your next phone could very well be one that can be flipped.
We have come full circle and I am not angry about it.
The new Pixel 9 Fold
In mid-August, Google announced its new Pixel phone lineup. Many of the formats were as expected: the small but snappy Pixel 9, its powerful sister, the Pixel 9 Pro, and for the size fans, the Pixel 9 Pro XL. But there was a surprise addition to the Pixel 9 suite. Previously only the Pixel Fold, Google’s folding phone now gets pride of place in the brand’s flagship phone lineup – newly updated and called the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features a sleek 8-inch display that folds in a snap to reveal a front display the size of a traditional smartphone. This gives users the large screen they need to consume content on the go, but also the compact size they need to fit something comfortably in their purse or pocket. With a display made of highly durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2, it’s a throwback to the days when phones seemed indestructible—even if one of your friends threw it across the school field.
The year 2000 is unbroken
You’d have to be pretty isolated to have missed the resurgence of the Y2K aesthetic. It permeated everything from our fashion to movie remakes to the celebrities who defined the zeitgeist. Technology has had an undeniable influence, too. Some have even ditched their big-screen smartphones in favor of a 2000s flip phone. Driven by the popularization of retro tech, but also a desire to be less absorbed by screens, the adoption of these older phones has been rapid. As we’ve seen, Nokia’s famous 2660 sold out almost immediately when it was released.
But of course, a return to analog isn’t for everyone. Smartphones remain the most popular choice when upgrading to a new phone. With the Y2K aesthetic showing no signs of dying out, the new era of flip phones (a la Z Flip and Pixel Fold) seems to have something for everyone. You only need to do a search on Google Trends to see the increasing popularity of these types of devices.
Who will launch a flip phone next?
Motorola has the Razr Plus, Oppo has the N2 Flip, OnePlus has the Open, Huawei has the P50 Pocket, Nubia has the Flip 5g. Since there are already so many brands in this space, the big question is when Apple will get in on the act.
There has been a lot of speculation about it for months. You only have to google “Apple flip phone” to see how many rumors are already circulating. Unconfirmed claims about “codenames” and release dates simmer in a cauldron of conjecture. Apple is known for its secrecy, and its product launches are some of the most eagerly awaited technology announcements around the world. If anything, the only thing I’m sure of right now is that we’ll only know the details of a potential Apple flip phone when and if the company chooses to announce them.
Of course, if one had to guess, the eventual launch of an Apple iteration of a Flip would seem more certain by the day.
So be prepared for your next phone to tip over – and accessorize it with a cool phone charm for extra authenticity points.
