Mattel and HMD launches Barbie-themed flip phone

Mattel, Inc. has teamed up with Human Mobile Devices (HMD) to launch a Barbie-themed flip phone, named the HMD Barbie™ Phone. Set to be released on August 28, this device offers a unique blend of nostalgia and modern functionality to bring back the charm of simpler, pre-smartphone days, as per the official announcement.

According to HMD's official blog, the HMD Barbie™ Phone is designed with a 'retro' aesthetic, featuring the iconic Barbie pink colour. It has hidden designs, such as palm trees, hearts, and flamingos, which light up in the dark, adding a touch of playful elegance. The phone comes with interchangeable back covers, inspired by a 1992 Barbie doll design and a 'shooting heart' design, allowing users to customise the look of their device to match their mood or outfit. When powered on, the device greets users with a cheerful "Hi Barbie!" voice prompt, and a playful notification of a missed call from Ken.

Functionality-wise, the HMD Barbie™ Phone focuses on basic communication, offering features like calling and texting while deliberately excluding social media apps. The phone also includes a 0.3MP VGA camera that provides a Y2K-style photography experience, complete with a Barbie-themed camera frame. The phone comes with a bespoke Barbie-themed user interface that includes features like digital balance tips, 'BarbieMeditation', and self-care reminders. 

Purchase of the phone includes a beaded phone strap and a variety of Barbie-themed stickers and crystals, all packaged in a Barbie and HMD branded jewelry box. Image: HMD

The phone's technical specifications include support for GSM/GPRS, WCDMA, and LTE Cat1 networks, and it runs on the S30+ operating system. It is powered by a T107 CPU and offers 128 MB of ROM and 64 MB of RAM, with the option to expand storage via MicroSD up to 32 GB. The device features a 2.8-inch internal screen and a 1.77-inch external screen, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Its 1450 mAh battery provides up to nine hours of talk time, as per HMD. 

Purchase of the phone includes a beaded phone strap and a variety of Barbie-themed stickers and crystals, all packaged in a Barbie and HMD branded jewelry box. This unique flip phone is priced at $$129/ £99.