# Flip phone or Slab phone? Need answer soonish **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2016, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655 "2016-02-21T00:49:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/21 "2016-02-21T22:53:14Z")
> [@JohnGalt](#): > > They just don’t want you to get a new phone that’s fancier than theirs. Go for the newest, shiniest thing possible, just don’t be too embarrassed to ask them how to use it - that might make them feel useful. > > After a few months, you’ll wonder how you got by with such a small screen and no internet access. You’ll like a truly “smart” phone. They feel useful right now, because any time I want some information from the internet I just ask “do you have your internet connectivity device handy?” (and they always do) then they look up what I want to know. It’s like having a big meaty voice activated smart phone sitting beside me! 😃 > [@enipla](#): > > Note also that there are many, many other applications. It’s not a phone any more. Or a way to cruise the internet (which IMHO they are poor at). > > Do you read on a Kindle? I have my smart phone tethered to it and its great to be able to read from the phone. No need to carry a book or the Kindle around. > > GPS and other mapping programs are very handy. > > Email? It’s right there. Need a flashlight, well there you go. A calendar to remind you of things? Bingo. A quick calculator? A timer for cooking? And on, and on and on. Also music. I think you can store quite a bit of music on most smart phones, but I could be wrong. That would be another really handy thing to have. > [@scootergirl](#): > > 🙂 I can assure you that **Arrendajo** is none of these things. After weeks of hearing him discuss with us (and himself) the pros and cons, while mostly hearing resistance to Smartphones, I just want him to get something, **anything** , that he’ll receive my text within seconds of me sending it and not 5 hours later! Learning new technology is not the problem here - he has a recording studio at home for Christ sake! And has recorded his own music for years. He knows as much about computers, and various programs as any young person today who grew up with one. > > You got the majority Doper vote, querido. In the end it is up to you. Just do it. Next week. I’ll go with you. We’ll have a RIP ceremonial for your beloved “egg.” > > And, I’ll send you a naughty pic to your “shiny” new phone, hee hee, joking. 😃 !!! I hope scootergirl never realizes that I kinda **liked** receiving her texts 5 hours late. Took the pressure off having to address whatever she wanted because by then it was too late. 😃 OK peeps thanks for all the replies and advice. I had been leaning towards a smart phone anyway, and this seals it that I was right thinking. I am sure that I will learn to use the damn thing. One thing I hate about smart phones is their extreme touchiness. Up to now every time I touch one it does something I don’t want it to do. Typical of this experience was when my friend handed me her smart phone to show me a photo and I instantly deleted it. Just by touching the phone. Something like that happens every time I have tried to use a smart phone, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it. Thanks everyone! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/22 "2016-02-21T23:05:33Z")
I have a flip phone. Using a coupon I had, it cost me $5. No camera, tiny screen, no calling plan - I’m on the AT&T go phone plan. I can text, but it’s the old-school way, and I rarely bother. I’m not a technophobe - I just don’t want a smart phone. When I’m out and about, I see people everywhere with their faces turned down, staring at their phones. No thanks. It’s a phone. I use it to make calls. Works fine, lasts a long time. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2016, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/23 "2016-02-21T23:22:36Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > !!! I hope scootergirl never realizes that I kinda **liked** receiving her texts 5 hours late. Took the pressure off having to address whatever she wanted because by then it was too late. 😃 > ! Ha! You’re funny. GRR! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/24 "2016-02-22T00:17:01Z")
I missed the part about the workshop in the OP. That would be even more incentive for me to ditch the flip phone. I had a flip phone up until last year and it was FULL of dirt, all the time, because of the buttons/keypad. I took my dogs to the doggy beach once a week for 4 months at a time and you would think I buried my phone in sand once a day for a year. A smartphone by itself will collect much less dirt than a flip phone. A smartphone with a case will be much stronger than any flip phone. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/25 "2016-02-22T00:58:14Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I missed the part about the workshop in the OP. That would be even more incentive for me to ditch the flip phone. I had a flip phone up until last year and it was FULL of dirt, all the time, because of the buttons/keypad. I took my dogs to the doggy beach once a week for 4 months at a time and you would think I buried my phone in sand once a day for a year. > > A smartphone by itself will collect much less dirt than a flip phone. A smartphone with a case will be much stronger than any flip phone. What workshop? He’s a librarian. The only time we get dirty is when we work on our scooters. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/26 "2016-02-22T01:13:00Z")
I am hard of hearing and wear a hearing aid and have no idea what kind of cell phone will work with my HA or even I will be able to hear on it. I am going to ask my audi when I see him again. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/27 "2016-02-22T07:16:39Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Not quite > > [http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SCH-U680ZAAVZW](http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/cell-phones/SCH-U680ZAAVZW) You’re proving my point. That is a highly specialized phone that no average person would even consider buying (even assuming they knew it existed, which is unlikely). Tracfone: (cost $14.99) VGA Camera/Video Recorder > **[tracfone-orders.com - tracfone orders Resources and Information.](http://ww1.tracfone-orders.com/bpdirect/tracfone/PhoneDetails.do?action=view&productVariantExtensionId=37809377&usid=15&utid=30509806573)** > > tracfone-orders.com is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to find here, tracfone-orders.com has it all. We hope you find what you are searching for! VirginMobile: (cost $19.99) 2.0 MP Camera with Video Recording [http://www.virginmobileusa.com/shop/cell-phones/alcatel-speakeasy-phone/features/](http://www.virginmobileusa.com/shop/cell-phones/alcatel-speakeasy-phone/features/) And looking at Walmart’s website, they have 12 phones under $20. Only 1 of them does NOT have a camera – and that one costs a whopping $6.55! ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/28 "2016-02-22T07:39:42Z")
> [@Cub\_Mistress](#): > > I had never heard the term slab phone for smartphone. I thought you were choosing between a flip phone or a simple phone that was like[this](http://www.amazon.com/LG-A275-Black-Unlocked-QuadBand/dp/B009IRGQPO) The reason nobody except the OP uses such a term is because it’s not a comparison that has ever needed to be made. Flip phones were cool for a few minutes decades ago when they first came out and smartphones didn’t exist. As soon as companies started making smartphones, the advantages were so obvious and abundant that everyone (who had a choice) instantly and intuitively embraced the new design and forgot flip phones ever existed. The “slab” design just became the default for what a phone is expected to look like, so it’s never needed a description. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/29 "2016-02-22T11:46:30Z")
I probably fall under #3 in **astro** s list (I’m cheap) (1) I am definitely not anti-technology – but I only have a phone for rare use (2) But for internet access I am either: 1. at work on a computer 2. at home with a desktop and a wifi tablet (and a laptop) 3. driving and would not be using it 4. on a bicycle or hiking or something where I want to get away from everything I do admit there are times when a smartphone would be handy. But the price / performance ratio is not there for me. Brian 1. I don’t have cable and mostly watch free over-the-air TV (I do have Netflix) 2. People call me to get into the downtown church where we have board game night ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/30 "2016-02-22T18:52:50Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > What workshop? He’s a librarian. The only time we get dirty is when we work on our scooters. Heh, my bad. Someone else made it up and I went with it! 😃 But still, you don’t want to get scooter dirt in your phone keypad either! ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2016, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/31 "2016-02-22T23:10:23Z")
I’ll add that I have almost 32 Gb worth of music on my phone. It is also a guitar tuner, sound meter, fret calculator, ruler, magnifying glass, compass, gps, camera, and a handy reference text for, well, pretty much the sum of human knowledge plus a host of other things. Why are you even considering a flip phone, really? ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/32 "2016-02-23T18:14:24Z")
Some of you may be familiar with my cell phone stoopid but please bear with me. Are there such things as smart phones with buttons? I had a smart phone and _could not_ get the hang of the touch screen. I understood where to find things and how to do stuff but could not manipulate the screen Texting was impossible( and I only have small woman hands, people). No doubt there was operator error involved, but could I also have had a model that just had a sucky interface? I did show it to a few people and they thought it was a pain in the ass also (the brand was a Huawei). I’m working up the nerve to try again but if I’m just a dumbass that can’t use one, I’ll just stick with my old push buttony phone (hey, at least it’s not a flip 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/33 "2016-02-24T02:11:19Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Some of you may be familiar with my cell phone stoopid but please bear with me. Are there such things as smart phones with buttons? I had a smart phone and _could not_ get the hang of the touch screen. I understood where to find things and how to do stuff but could not manipulate the screen Texting was impossible( and I only have small woman hands, people). No doubt there was operator error involved, but could I also have had a model that just had a sucky interface? I did show it to a few people and they thought it was a pain in the ass also (the brand was a Huawei). I’m working up the nerve to try again but if I’m just a dumbass that can’t use one, I’ll just stick with my old push buttony phone (hey, at least it’s not a flip 😃 ) Amazingly, there are still companies willing to attract customers with physical keyboards, like the BlackBerry Priv which has a slide out keyboard. Samsung makes a snap on keyboard accessory for some of its phones, but it’s a kludge and it takes up half your screen, so what’s the point of having a nice big screen if you’re going to pay to cover it up? Huawei manufactures the Nexus 6P for Google, so they know how to make a decent phone, but if other touchscreen-aware people thought your previous Huaweis touch responsiveness sucked, then maybe you did get a lemon or perhaps it was a cheapo low-end model? I’d suggest going to an Apple store or even a Microsoft store if there is one around you, and trying out the demo phones there with the assistance of a staff person to help you along and show you how it works. That way you’ll know for certain if touchscreens just aren’t for you. ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2016, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/34 "2016-02-24T02:25:47Z")
> [@scootergirl](#): > > What workshop? He’s a librarian. The only time we get dirty is when we work on our scooters. Ahem… that is not the **only** time we get dirty 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2016, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/35 "2016-02-24T02:43:59Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > I probably fall under #3 in **astro** s list (I’m cheap) (1) > I am definitely not anti-technology – but I only have a phone for rare use (2) > > But for internet access I am either: > > 1. at work on a computer > 2. at home with a desktop and a wifi tablet (and a laptop) > 3. driving and would not be using it > 4. on a bicycle or hiking or something where I want to get away from everything > > I do admit there are times when a smartphone would be handy. But the price / performance ratio is not there for me. That’s the very thought that was holding me up on the idea of carrying the internet in my pocket 24/7. I’m on the internet all day at work, and have Wi-Fi internet at home, and unless I am out alone, I am with someone who has a smart phone. It seemed like the times when I am out and need internet at my fingers were so few that it just wasn’t a pressing need. > [@swampspruce](#): > > I’ll add that I have almost 32 Gb worth of music on my phone. It is also a guitar tuner, sound meter, fret calculator, ruler, magnifying glass, compass, gps, camera, and a handy reference text for, well, pretty much the sum of human knowledge plus a host of other things. > > Why are you even considering a flip phone, really? Because my flip phone did what I asked it to – send text messages and make phone calls – and was easy to use and handy to carry. I never felt the need for the other uses you list, although I have no doubt they could be handy, especially the sum of human knowledge part. I have tuners for my musical instruments, a camera, and several portable digital music devices already. I have the feeling that once I start using a smart phone, though, I’ll wonder how I ever got along without it. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2016, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/36 "2016-02-24T02:53:39Z")
> [@zbuzz](#): > > I’d suggest going to an Apple store or even a Microsoft store if there is one around you, and trying out the demo phones there with the assistance of a staff person to help you along and show you how it works. That way you’ll know for certain if touchscreens just aren’t for you. Just go to Best Buy and play with ALL of them. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2016, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/37 "2016-02-24T03:05:15Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > Because my flip phone did what I asked it to – send text messages and make phone calls – and was easy to use and handy to carry. I never felt the need for the other uses you list, although I have no doubt they could be handy, especially the sum of human knowledge part. I have tuners for my musical instruments, a camera, and several portable digital music devices already. I have the feeling that once I start using a smart phone, though, I’ll wonder how I ever got along without it. Exactly. I used to feel the same way…until my wife got an iPhone in 2009. Now, I would never go back to life without one. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2016, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/38 "2016-02-24T05:03:54Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > Just go to Best Buy and play with ALL of them. An Apple or Microsoft store employee will be way more helpful than a Best Buy employee. That’s been my experience, anyway, maybe not yours. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2016, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/39 "2016-02-24T05:54:41Z")
Last two times I bought an electronic at Best Buy (Canon camera 5 years ago, GalaxyS6 and new provider last year), they were great. Last year I had an Android guy go over what I wanted with the Galaxy and there was an Apple gal who I let try to switch OS because I was curious. While I didn’t get convinced enough to change, I was impressed enough with the service to recommend them whenever it applies. Besides they have all the phones, so for someone who isn’t sure, it’s the place to go to see all of what’s available instead of a brand or two. ---
**Author:** ![standingwave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@standingwave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/standingwave)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2016, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655/40 "2016-02-24T07:49:07Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Note also that there are many, many other applications. It’s not a phone any more. Or a way to cruise the internet (which IMHO they are poor at). > > Do you read on a Kindle? I have my smart phone tethered to it and its great to be able to read from the phone. No need to carry a book or the Kindle around. > > GPS and other mapping programs are very handy. > > Email? It’s right there. Need a flashlight, well there you go. A calendar to remind you of things? Bingo. A quick calculator? A timer for cooking? And on, and on and on. Chess, Pokerstars, Poker Calculator, An actual [RPN calculator](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dk.andsen.hp41&hl=en), Google Sky Map, Aurora forecasts, Transit (bus and train schedules), Gas Buddy, Rest Areas, National Parks/Monuments, Universal Translator, Free topo maps, podcasts, etc. And twitter. Twitter never made sense until I got a phone. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-phone-or-slab-phone-need-answer-soonish/746655.md?page=3)