Light Phone goes clamshell with "timeless" Flip model

Tech company Light has released a clamshell version of its popular minimalist phone, combining contemporary dumbphone functionality with retro appeal.

A follow-up to 2025's all-black Light Phone 3, the Light Flip comes in six colours and runs Light's intentionally stripped-back LightOS operating system, which is devoid of social media, games and other common distractions.

Light said the new device with its clamshell-style design responded to the resurgence of interest in flip phones, which have become particularly popular among members of Generations Z and Alpha.

Photo of a red Light Flip phone in someone's hand showing a map with direction on a monochrome, mostly black screen — Light has made a flip version of its popular minimalist phone

"Time and time again, we've heard from people – especially the younger generations – who love flip phones, but the current options are poorly made, slow, unsupported and often pre-installed with the same addictive apps built in," the company said.

"Light is taking everything that already works for tens of thousands of Light Phone users and is bringing that into a heavily desired yet timeless tactile form factor of a flip phone."

The flip phone form factor "prioritises calling, a far superior way to catch up, make plans or celebrate" and lets users "experience the distinct satisfaction of hanging up", Light added.

Photo of a black Light Flip phone in someone's hand as they scan a list of apps written in white text on a black background on the screen — The phone has a black-and-white, text-based operating system

The Light Flip otherwise continues Light's design philosophy of creating technology that is designed to be used as little as possible.

It includes a matt 2.8-inch screen for viewing the company's entirely black-and-white, text-based OS, with an editable selection of apps including a calendar, alarm, calculator, maps, podcasts, weather, notes, voice memos and an authenticator tool.

There is also a music app, but it is for music files rather than streaming services, and a 12-megapixel rear camera with a 50-megapixel sensor, but no front "selfie" camera.

Image of the pink Light Flip phone showing the numerical keypad in a monochrome colour scheme with the black-and-white operating system on the screen — The phones come in six colours

There are some divergences from the Light Phone 3. The Light Flip does not have the more premium phone's AMOLED screen, instead featuring OLED, and instead of the aluminium and glass body, it is made from plastic. The Light Flip is also less than half the price of the Light Phone 3, at US$299 (£225).

Other elements that may appeal to fans of retro technology are the numeric keypad with predictive T9 texting and the ability to put nine contacts on speed dial.

The modern conveniences of USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 5G connectivity and audio and voice-to-text messaging are all included.

New apps may soon become available through Light's recently launched developer programme, which it hopes will lead to the creation of a curated, non-commercial, open-source platform where users can download additional tools in lieu of an app store.

Image of the rear of a yellow Light Flip phone, showing a case with a single camera lens at the top and four mini black screws on a removable back panel — The phone includes a rear camera and replaceable battery

However, the company stresses that there are some features the phones will never have: social media, internet browsing, email, news, ads or infinite feeds.

"As Apple, Google, and others race to build AI deeper into everything, despite growing backlash from consumers, Light is making the case for a radically different future," said the company.

The Light Flip has been designed for repair and includes a user-replaceable battery, the company added.

Photo of a white Light Flip phone closed and sitting on a table next to a chess board mid-play — The company is committed to making technology that doesn't fight for users' attention

It is available in red, pink, yellow, navy, grey and black and is shipping from April 2027.

Light was one of the first companies to launch a contemporary dumbphone or brickphone, combining new technologies with intentional limitations, when it released the first Light Phone in 2017.

Its most recent version, the Light Phone 3, was the highest-scoring device in Dezeen's dumbphone road test, thanks to its calming screen experience and well-thought-out feature set.

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