Photo: HMD
We knew it was coming, but now it's officially here! HMD has unveiled its Barbie Phone, a hot pink flip phone for those exhausted from being constantly exposed to social media. This feature phone goes hard on the Barbie branding from the colour scheme, the Barbie logo on the back of the phone, the iconography on the keyboard, and its many accessories.
The feature phone has a pair of customizable back covers, a beaded wrist strap, and stick-on gems and stickers associated with the Barbie brand. The phone itself features a 2.8-inch screen with a Barbie-themed UI (including a Snake game that gets the Barbie treatment), a T9 keyboard, and a 0.3-megapixel camera with built-in flash.
You can call and text on the HMD Barbie Phone. However, you can't go online. They're enticing you with the idea of taking a break from your smartphone with an eye-catching handset. And with that low-res camera, you can get those Y2K-esque photos that the younger generation loves. A mirror on the top half of this flip phone will make it easier to take those retro-inspired selfies and group shots. You can even add a Barbie frame around your photos if you want.
It does seem like it's a year too late, given the blockbuster smash hit Barbie movie came out in 2023. But the fans of this iconic character might not care. You might just like to have a Barbie flip phone you can actually use.
The HMD Barbie Phone retails for $129 in the US (approx. $174 CAD) and will be available in October. Pre-orders kick off on September 23. There is no word yet for a Canadian release.