Review of the Alcatel My Flip 2 from Tracfone

Best Flip Phone for Under $20

Alcatel’s My Flip 2 is one of the best cell phones for seniors thanks to its affordability. At under $20 to purchase, this phone is accessible to seniors on very limited incomes. It also combines straightforward calling features with some senior-centric bells and whistles, such as an emergency contact button. By pressing this button three times, seniors can connect with emergency services without opening the phone. The My Flip 2 comes with other accessibility features such as voice commands and large-size buttons, and the flip-to-answer and easy-to-use speed dial functions help make it a winner.

With the My Flip 2, Alcatel has created a very budget-friendly flip phone that blends some features of a smartphone with the more familiar functionality of a standard cell phone.

Tracfone works with Alcatel to offer affordable phone options for those who aren’t interested in long-term service commitments. The provider sells talk and text time by the minute, allowing seniors to invest as much, or as little, as they want to spend each month. Tracfone also offers unlimited plans with no contract commitments⁠—seniors can sign up for unlimited talk and text for as little as $20 per month and get 1 gigabyte of data to use during that period. Alternatively, the My Flip 2 can be activated on other networks, giving seniors the option of buying a very affordable calling device and using it with their existing service plan.

Alcatel’s My Flip 2 starts at just $19.99 for a fully functioning, basic cell phone. With some rebates, seniors may even get the phone for free with another purchase. Since Tracfone offers pay-per-minute options, it can cost as little as $25 for the phone and activation. For plans with unlimited talk and text, the cost starts at a very moderate $20 per month and increases based on the amount of data desired. The maximum cost is $40 per month with 8 gigabytes of data. With Tracfone plans, unused minutes, texts and data roll over to the next month as long as the plan stays active, helping minimize the need to purchase additional usage.

Alcatel’s My Flip 2 is designed to offer all the features of a standard cell phone with crystal clear calling and intuitive texting, while eliminating some of the most complicated elements of a smartphone. But, it offers some of the options that many beginning smartphone users enjoy, including access to the app store.

Durable Design

As a flip phone, the screen on the Alcatel My Flip 2 is completely covered when the device isn’t in use, helping to protect the most vulnerable part of the phone. For seniors who may have trouble holding and using a larger model touchscreen phone, the My Flip 2 offers a more durable design with less risk of cracking the screen.

Large-Sized Buttons

With the My Flip 2’s larger-than-average keypad, navigating features and making calls is easier for seniors who struggle with fine motor control. The big buttons mean tremors and failing eyesight won’t impact the phone’s usability for many seniors.

Backlit Keypad

In addition to marked keys for the legally blind, the My Flip 2 also has a backlit keypad for use in low-light situations. This means that when the lights are off, seniors can still see well enough to dial for emergency services.

Hearing Aid-Compatible

The My Flip 2 works well with hearing aids, so seniors who have hearing loss can still use the device. It’s rated as M4/T4, the highest level available.

Voice Command Functions

While smartphones routinely come with voice command functions, standard cell phones may not. The My Flip 2 is an exception that allows seniors to make calls or use a voice-to-text option to send messages.

External SOS Button

Even with the phone closed, seniors can make an emergency call by pushing the SOS button three times. This thoughtful design reduces the likelihood of accidental dialing while still giving seniors the ability to call for help.

Flip-To-Answer

The My Flip 2 gives seniors the ability to rapidly field phone calls by simply opening the phone. If the phone is closed, calls are answered automatically when it’s flipped open.

Seniors Seeking Affordable Communication

Phones don’t get much cheaper than the Alcatel My Flip 2, making it a great choice for seniors on a limited budget.

Repeat Droppers

Seniors who regularly drop their phones may appreciate a device that’s less likely to break when this happens. A simple fall to the ground is unlikely to render the My Flip 2 unusable, and if it does, the phone is inexpensive to replace.

Most users give the My Flip 2 a thumbs up for its streamlined use and relatively easy setup. When purchased at a service kiosk, an old contacts list can be ported directly to the new phone without the need for lots of typing. The many available features make it a great option for seniors who want to be able to check email and browse the web, but who don’t want a smartphone. Users regularly mention the great battery life and flip-to-answer functions as some of the best features available with the My Flip 2.

The programmable speed dial function also gets plenty of praise from seniors and their family members. Since seniors can call their most-used numbers with the press of a single button, these devices offer more streamlined functionality. However, some seniors might be intimidated by all the extra features, so it may be beneficial to delete or hide apps that they don’t find helpful.