The $79.99 TCL Flip 3 is a straightforward characteristic telephone with crisp name high quality and a big keypad. We like that it has Wi-Fi assist, e-mail entry, and an FM radio, although battery life might be higher and the working system might be extra intuitive. General, the older TCL Flip 2 (additionally $79.99) stays our Editors’ Alternative winner for primary voice telephones because it provides related performance and longer battery life for a similar value. It does not allow you to obtain third-party apps just like the Flip 3, however we do not suppose that is a deal breaker for one of these telephone.Design: A Flat Plastic ExteriorLike the Flip 2, the Flip 3 is available in only one colour. Its Stone Grey end seems to be nearer to black than grey, so the telephone has a business-like look. In order for you a flip telephone with extra colour choices, the $89.99 Nokia 2780 Flip is offered in a number of brilliant hues.The Flip 3 is barely flatter than the Flip 2, taking design cues from the unique Motorola Razr (no, not the high-end foldable). The plastic exterior has a matte end that makes it simple to grip.
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(Credit score: Sarah Lord)
The telephone measures 4.22 by 2.34 by 0.78 inches (HWD) when closed and weighs 5.06 ounces. The Flip 2 (4.22 by 2.19 by 0.78 inches, 4.93 ounces) is ever so barely smaller and lighter. The Nokia 2780 Flip (4.33 by 2.28 by 0.77 inches, 4.62 ounces) is analogous in dimension and weight to each.
I discovered the Flip 3 simple to function and carry. The tight hole between the 2 halves made it barely tough to slide my thumb into place to flip open the quilt in contrast with the Flip 2, however I bought used to it. The outer display screen readily acquired smudges and fingerprints in use, however the remainder of the telephone’s physique stayed clear.
(Credit score: Sarah Lord)
A low-resolution, 1.77-inch colour display screen on the entrance of the telephone shows the date, time, battery life, and cell community. It additionally reveals message notifications, caller ID data, and real-time name and message indicators. Not like the 1.4-inch entrance display screen on the Flip 2, the Flip 3’s outer show opts for a plain black background moderately than carrying over the wallpaper from the primary display screen.
(Credit score: Sarah Lord)
The digicam and the flash are on the entrance of the telephone, that means it’s important to flip open it to take footage. Just under the digicam, there’s a programmable fast dial button that you would be able to hyperlink to a selected quantity (Settings > Gadget > Help). A quantity rocker on the suitable facet is the one different button on the telephone’s exterior; it makes a tender click on if you press it. A 3.5mm headphone jack is positioned on the left facet, whereas a USB-C charging port sits on the base.
(Credit score: Sarah Lord)
Flipping the telephone open reveals the three.2-inch colour LCD, which has a decision of 320 by 240 pixels. The display screen was simple to see beneath indoor lighting, however virtually unattainable to make out beneath direct summer season daylight. For comparability, the Flip 2 and Nokia 2780 Flip, respectively, have 2.8- and a couple of.7-inch panels with the identical decision because the Flip 3.
(Credit score: Sarah Lord)
The navigation panel under the hinge consists of two shortcut buttons, a directional pad with a central OK button, and Ship and Finish buttons. The directional pad is barely indented in contrast with the remainder of the panel to make it simpler to search out by contact. Favourite, Mail, and Again buttons are beneath the navigation panel, whereas a big quantity pad for dialing and typing takes up the remainder of the house. The raised quantity keys are bigger than the opposite buttons and simple to learn; in addition they mild up if you press them.It’s important to take away the again cowl to insert the battery upon first use. The SIM and microSD card slots are situated beneath the battery cavity. It takes some dexterity to insert or take away playing cards from these small slots. A nano SIM is preinstalled. The Flip 3 accepts microSD playing cards of as much as 512GB in capability. The telephone doesn’t have an IP score for defense towards mud and water, so it is best to keep away from exposing it to the weather. Neither the Flip 2 nor the Nokia 2780 Flip have an IP score both, although the $299.99, IP68-rated Kyocera DuraXA Equip is totally waterproof.
(Credit score: Sarah Lord)
The telephone makes use of a Qualcomm QM215 processor, comes with 1GB of RAM, and provides 16GB of storage (round 13GB is usable). The Flip 2 makes use of a MediaTek 6739-CH processor and comes with the identical quantity of RAM however gives simply 4GB of built-in storage. The Nokia 2780 Flip makes use of the identical processor because the Flip 3, comes with 4GB of storage just like the Flip 2, and has simply 512MB of RAM. Regardless of their paltry specs, all three telephones run easily and have loads of energy to deal with their respective options.Connectivity and Calls: Clear CommunicationThe Flip 3 does not assist 5G, however its VoLTE capabilities permit it to carry out properly on Verizon’s community and Verizon MVNOs like Spectrum. US Mobile additionally sells the telephone.I made and acquired a number of calls with the telephone from quite a lot of locations on Verizon’s LTE community throughout testing. The telephone sometimes dropped calls in locations with notably poor protection (Verizon has weak service in my space), however calls in any other case sounded clear and static-free for probably the most half. One particular person did say that my voice had a slight echo and that I sounded as if I used to be in a big room with no furnishings.
(Credit score: Sarah Lord)
I had no hassle listening to the particular person on the opposite finish of the road, even outside. The telephone’s loud audio system and earpiece are to thank for this; respectively, they attain 80.2 and 90.9 decibels throughout calls, that are increased ranges than these for the Flip 2 (75.6dB and 87.6dB) and the Nokia 2780 Flip (70.5dB and 76.6dB).
(Credit score: Sarah Lord)
Battery life for the Flip 3 is disappointing, particularly contemplating that it was a power of the Flip 2. Each telephones use a 1,850mAh cell, although TCL claims that the Flip 3 can present simply 10.5 hours of speak time per cost, down from 14 hours for the Flip 2. The lower in battery life is possible because of the bigger screens. In any case, the Flip 3 nonetheless lasts longer than the Nokia 2780, which will get simply 3 hours and 20 minutes of speak time. In testing, the Flip 3’s battery life dropped all the way down to 43% from a full cost after 4 hours of calling, texting, and utilizing the included internet browser. It took 2 hours and 28 minutes to recharge from empty by way of the included 5W charging brick. That is 41 minutes longer than the Flip 2 took in the identical situation.An on-screen banner shows all of the letters and numbers for a given key and makes texting simpler by saving you the difficulty of trying down on the quantity pad. Textual content exchanges with single recipients labored properly, even people who concerned pictures. Nevertheless, group messages had been gradual to undergo.Just like the Flip 2, the Flip 3 makes use of the older Wi-Fi 4 commonplace to attach you to the web and to allow Wi-Fi calling at house. I discovered the latter functionality notably useful since I don’t have sturdy Verizon service in my space.You may join headphones wirelessly by way of Bluetooth 4.2 or use wired headphones by way of the three.5mm headphone jack. You may’t entry any music streaming providers from the telephone, although it does have an FM radio for listening to native stations. Alternatively, you’ll be able to play native music via the telephone’s music participant app.Digicam High quality: Straight Out of the 2000sThe Flip 3 has a 5MP digicam and flash, however it struggles to take respectable pictures even in brilliant daylight. Particulars seem tender, the highlights are too brilliant, and the colours look uninteresting. The telephone may also file 720p video at 30fps, however the high quality is simply as unhealthy.
(Credit score: Sarah Lord)
If pictures is vital to you, get an affordable smartphone just like the $199.99 Samsung Galaxy A15 5—or perhaps a separate digicam. Software program: KaiOS Feels Like a DowngradeWhereas the Flip 2 makes use of a easy (however efficient) working system primarily based on the Android Open Supply Mission (AOSP), the Flip 3 goes with KaiOS. The interface provides bigger icons and a extra colourful look in contrast with AOSP, however it is not as intuitive. The included app retailer provides solely generic apps with restricted utility (reminiscent of a unit converter) and primary video games (reminiscent of chess and solitaire).Talking of video games, KiaOS comes with a folder of 5 titles: 2048, Birdy, Guardians (a sliding house shooter), Gems, and Whack a Mole. The video games are free to play however include adverts that you will need to dismiss earlier than you start.
(Credit score: Sarah Lord)
In any other case, you get apps for Calendar, Clock, E-mail, File Supervisor, FM Radio, Gallery, Maps, Music, Observe, Settings, Voice Assistant, Internet Browser, and YouTube. There’s additionally a utilities folder with a Calculator, a To-Do Checklist, and a Voice Recorder.The Settings app has all of the anticipated choices. An Account part enables you to create a KaiOS account and allow anti-theft options reminiscent of the flexibility distant lock your telephone or erase information. The accessibility options are barely hidden (Settings > Gadget > Accessibility), however, amongst different issues, you’ll be able to allow bigger textual content, activate captions, arrange a listening to assist, and activate RTT mode.Verdict: Stick With the Flip 2The Flip 3 brings sturdy voice calling options to a basic flip design, provides Wi-Fi for higher in-home connectivity, and options a big quantity pad for simple dialing. However its middling battery life and clunky KaiOS working system imply it loses out to the earlier model, the TCL Flip 2, which remains to be obtainable on the market and stays our Editors’ Alternative. Its easier OS and longer speak time simply outweigh the bigger screens and downloadable apps of the Flip 3.
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