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The HMD Barbie phone is real and really pink
Michigan

The HMD Barbie phone is real and really pink

A few months ago, HMD Global, which now markets itself as “Human Mobile Devices,” hinted at the existence of a Barbie-branded flip phone. Given that it bears the Mattel name, it was certainly not a simple marketing ploy or an April Fool’s joke, but a real product just waiting for its time. That time has finally come, and the official and functional Barbie phone is finally here, at least for some markets. The retro-chic flip phone is unashamedly pink and, well, totally Barbie, and just like the era it pays homage to, the phone harks back to a time when cell phones were really just cell phones. Perfect for a GenZ vacation, or so says HMD.

Designer: HMD x Mattel

The HMD Barbie phone is real and really pink

Although the recent live-action film cast the iconic doll in a very different light, generations will always remember Barbie and her friends as fun-loving teenagers. Of course, the franchise has a rich history with many twists and turns, but the spirit of the product has always been about enjoying the moment and spending it with friends. That’s the kind of almost Zen-like message that the HMD Barbie Phone is trying to convey: It’s telling Generation Z to give their phones a break and enjoy their own vacation the old-fashioned way.

Technically, the Barbie Phone is actually just a specially branded feature phone with a classic clamshell design. Opening it up reveals a small 2.8-inch QVGA screen (that’s 320 x 240 pixels) above a traditional T9 keyboard. It runs on the old Nokia S30+ platform, meaning it can barely do anything other than make calls, handle text messages, and play a few special utilities and simple games. Even the 0.3-megapixel camera is terribly old-fashioned, and it’s not because HMD is trying to be cheap. Every facet and feature of the Barbie Phone is designed to deliver a retro phone experience, and for good reason.

Beyond the decades-old aesthetic, the HMD Barbie Phone attempts to embody the “digital detox” lifestyle that some Gen Zers embrace, at least during vacations and breaks. The phone focuses on features that instantly connect friends on a more personal level than just tapping hearts and giving likes. Of course, you’ll still be able to take photos, but even that will be in the style of classic, old-fashioned photos where everyone has to squeeze together to fit in.

That’s not to say that HMD uses this as an excuse to skimp on details. In fact, the HMD Barbie Phone is pretty loaded with bells and whistles and accessories that will make any Barbie fan swoon. Two interchangeable colors add some pizzazz to this hot pink theme, while stickers, a beaded lanyard and charms offer plenty of room for personalization. On the software side, there’s a special watermelon-themed Snake game variant, themes and sounds from the franchise, and apps to help you be zen in the middle of a summer beach vacation. The HMD Barbie Phone costs £99, or about $130, but won’t launch in the US until sometime in October.

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