Actress Han So-hee, for example, used a feature phone during a live Instagram broadcast. (A screenshot from Han So-hee’s Instagram account)
SEOUL, Oct. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – Flip phones and feature phones (mobile phones without smartphone functions), characterized by small screens and physical buttons are emerging as trendy ‘hip’ items for the MZ generation, a term widely used in South Korea to encompass millennials and Generation Z.
Until now, flip phones and feature phones were often referred to as hyodo (filial piety) phones since they were mainly used by the elderly. However, today, they are gaining popularity among young people, thanks to the retro trend.
The primary factor driving the popularity of feature phones is the retro trend. Young people tend to crave older things they haven’t experienced, finding them strange and refreshing.
Instead of high-resolution photos from smartphones, low-quality photos from feature phones are gaining popularity.
On YouTube, videos showcasing the unboxing or decoration of old feature phones are also gaining traction. YouTubers introduce feature phones with titles like ‘Feature Phones Used by Today’s Insiders’ and ‘Reasons Behind the Recent Resurgence of Flip Phones.’
Another factor contributing to the popularity of feature phones among young people is their small size and ‘hip’ design. They use smartphones as fashion accessories.
Feature phones are smaller in size than new smartphones, which often exceed 6 inches. For instance, the display size of the flagship flip phone, the Galaxy Folder 2, is approximately 3.8 inches. Decorating the folding phone by attaching stickers or accessories to both sides is easy. Moreover, the price of secondhand phones is relatively low, around 100,000 won.
The combined monthly installment and fees amount to around 10,000 won, further appealing to the MZ generation, which values cost-effectiveness.
Furthermore, some notable entertainers are using feature phones, adding to their popularity. Actress Han So-hee, for example, used a feature phone during a live Instagram broadcast.
She didn’t use the latest foldable smartphone but an old foldable phone with a physical keyboard and a divided screen.
She mentioned that the foldable phone supports all types of apps, but it is slow, which discourages her from using the phone frequently. That’s why she prefers it.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
