Still not over Barbie? You'll soon be able to buy a Barbie-branded flip phone

Remember last year when everyone was going crazy about Barbie (and Oppenheimer)? HMD (also known as Human Mobile Devices) hopes you do, as the brand has just announced a partnership with Mattel and Barbie at MWC 2024.

The Barbie Flip Phone will arrive this summer (2024) and promises style, nostalgia and a much-needed digital detox.

Now, we don’t think this new device will be vying for a place in our best smartphone buying guide, but if you’re looking for a phone to take to a festival or the first phone for your child (so they can stay in touch but not get addicted to TikTok), then this could be perfect.

This retro feature phone claims to flip the script on smartphone culture and hopes to be this summer’s hottest accessory.

As someone who is increasingly tired of being tethered to the internet (and someone who loves the colour pink), I can’t wait to hear more about the new Barbie Phone.

Head of Consumer Products at Mattel EMEA, Ruth Henriquez said “At the heart of Mattel is design and innovation, and this latest collaboration is another step forward in that direction.

“The Barbie x HMD launch promises to be an exciting moment for Barbie fans of all ages, we’re excited to flip the switch and unveil it to the world at Mobile World Congress.”

Alongside the Barbie Flip Phone, HMD is launching a modular smartphone system that aims to make normally expensive digital tools globally accessible and affordable.

The images I saw at the launch showed a case which adds extended battery, a payment terminal, barcode scanners, or even portable, connected medical equipment. It’s a fascinating concept, but will be interesting to see whether this takes off, as previous modular smartphone concepts have not been very successful.

Now check out the best mid-range smartphones and best cheap phones.

About

As Buying Guide Editor, Spencer is responsible for all e-commerce content on Stuff, overseeing buying guides as well as covering deals and new product launches. Spencer has been writing about consumer tech for over eight years. He has worked on some of the biggest publications in the UK, where he covered everything from the emergence of smartwatches to the arrival of self-driving cars. During this time, Spencer has become a seasoned traveller, racking up air miles while travelling around the world reviewing cars, attending product launches, and covering every trade show known to man, from Baselworld and Geneva Motor Show to CES and MWC. While tech remains one of his biggest passions, Spencer also enjoys getting hands-on with the latest luxury watches, trying out new grooming kit, and road-testing all kinds of vehicles, from electric scooters to supercars.