Light Phone Flip launches as minimalist flip phone for digital detox

Light, founded by Joe Hollier and Kaiwei Tang, has released the Light Phone Flip, its fourth device and first flip phone, priced at $300 or $39/month for 24 months. The phone prioritizes calls over apps, with no touchscreen, NFC, or selfie camera, using a number pad and T9 text input. It runs LightOS, an open-source Android OS, and features a reinforced hinge with a single notification light. Available in six colors (yellow, red, grey, dark blue, pink, white) with a replaceable plastic battery. The company operates as a virtual carrier in the US, UK, and Canada. Tang was part of the original Motorola Razr design team. The Flip targets Gen Z users seeking to escape social media and AI saturation, inspired by The Luddite Club, a Brooklyn teen group opposing smartphone overreach. A biweekly newsletter, Flip Your Life, supports the transition away from social media. Light cultivates an active developer community building apps for the open-source OS.