Flip phone for my kid

January 18, 2018 9:00 AM

What's the best option for a flip phone for my kid to use mostly for emergencies? Requirements: Cheap so he can lose it, would probably make 1-4 calls/texts a week, no plan, just non-expiring minutes

Bonus: I can just order it online so I don't have to talk to a phone salesperson.
Bonus: It can play mp3s

posted by coffee and minarets to Technology (4 answers total)

Before I got a smartphone, I used to use Tracfone prepaid phones. They seem to have some cheap flip phones available.
posted by FencingGal at 9:48 AM on January 18, 2018

nthing tracphone. They still have flip phones. I found mine on sale at a superstore for $5.
The minutes do not expire, but you buy minutes and time, ex. 90 minutes /90 days.
You can get a lot of minutes(2000?) and 1 year for $99.
They are a pretty good deal for someone who doesn't talk much.
Not sure about mp3.
posted by H21 at 10:02 AM on January 18, 2018

The phone H21 has linked apparently has an MP3 player, so long as that model is consistent between carriers. It accepts SDHC cards, so you could put quite a bit of music on it.

http://tracfone.devicebits.com/straighttalk/home.seam?custId=STZEZ233VL&locale=en_US
posted by sincarne at 12:28 PM on January 18, 2018

Yes, Tracfone or AT&T sells a prepaid flip phone, which I used when I traveled for Canada because my usual carrier didn't have a plan that worked in Canada.
posted by AppleTurnover at 6:33 PM on January 18, 2018