Come on Barbie, lets go celebration with this new $129 flip telephone from HMD

We’re going again to the early 2000s, because of Human Mobile Devices’ (HMD) new Barbie-inspired cellphone. Tapping into the nostalgia of flip telephones, T9 SMS messaging, and sizzling pink, the Mattel-licensed Barbie Cellphone launches October 1st for $129.

To say the world was caught up in Barbie fever final 12 months could be an understatement. Whereas the discharge is just a little late to capitalize on the excitement from Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster Barbie film, HMD has designed a retro flip telephone with an entry-level price. This brings us again to a time earlier than social media, good residence apps, and streaming was attainable on a telephone.

The Barbie telephone is a blast from the previous with a smattering of pink

For a flip telephone, HMD contains modernized options and connectivity

As anticipated, the HMD Barbie telephone mimics the design and look of an early 2000s Nokia telephone. HMD is the present proprietor of the Nokia telephone model, so it is smart that the corporate is leaning into the Nokia look. The flip telephone includes a 2.8-inch fundamental show and a 1.7-inch show on its clamshell exterior. The gadget itself is available in one coloration and it’s appropriately dubbed energy pink.

In terms of pictures, HMD is constructed with a 5-megapixel rear digicam. So, you may be forgoing a selfie digicam. Though, if we’re going again to the post-Y2K period, we’d as effectively embrace it absolutely. Powered by a Qualcomm 215, the Barbie telephone helps 512MB of RAM and includes a 1,450mAh battery. This implies it isn’t a powerhouse of a tool. Nevertheless, it does function Bluetooth help and USB-C charging.

HMD’s new flip telephone received’t help fashionable social media platforms, so you possibly can’t doomscroll.

HMD

The Barbie-inspired flip telephone is launching as a method to “give your smartphone a vacay and dwell your dream life,” in accordance with HMD. The corporate isn’t shying away that its gadget does not help Instagram or TikTok. Its web site and advertising and marketing marketing campaign decide to the concept of no “distracting apps” and encourage customers to “disconnect.” Nevertheless, when opening the gadget, you’ll discover a particular Malibu version of Snake and different easter eggs.

As an alternative, the HMD Barbie Cellphone is extra in regards to the vibes. Partnering with Mattel, the duvet of the clamshell sports activities the Barbie brand. The keyboard, which makes use of a T9 structure, additionally options symbols like a flamingo, a palm tree, and the ‘B’ image. The gadget ships with two additional again covers, permitting you to customise your telephone relying in your model. HMD additionally throws in a group of stickers and crystals to make use of to precise your self. The cherry on prime is the beaded lanyard with Barbie charms.

The Barbie Cellphone misses the cultural zeitgeist of the movie

Sadly, HMD couldn’t align its launch with final 12 months’s Barbie film

HMD

Final summer season featured the long-lasting Barbenheimer theater expertise. Theaters around the globe noticed attendees dashing to see Oppenheimer and, extra importantly on this context, Barbie. Gerwig’s movies grossed $1.4 billion on the international field workplace. It went on to win an Oscar award for finest unique music. Had HMD been in a position to align its launch with the recognition of the telephone, there’s no telling what gross sales would have been like. That being stated, there’s now a broad stream of consciousness across the Barbie model. Youngsters and adults have a unified touchstone for Barbie exterior the toys and cartoons.

HMD’s Barbie Cellphone particularly faucets into an older technology that clamors for a throwback to their youth (that’s me). It’s possible not a tool that’ll make customers drop their iPhone or Android gadget totally. Nevertheless, it’s definitely a distraction from the overabundance of apps and social media platforms that bombard us always.