TCL FLIP Tracfone GRAY 16GB 2024 Review

The Tracfone TCL FLIP 3 is a $20 prepaid flip phone that's great for calls, texts, and its built-in FM radio. It's a solid choice for disconnecting, as a first phone, or as a backup. Just don't expect speed or smartphone features.

If you're looking for a simple, no-fuss phone that won't break the bank, the Tracfone TCL FLIP 3 is worth a look. It's a modern flip phone that runs on 4G LTE, so it works on today's networks, and it comes locked to Tracfone's prepaid service. For about $20, you get a device that makes calls, sends texts, and even has a basic 5MP camera. It's a solid option if you want to disconnect from the smartphone world, need a reliable backup, or are buying a first phone for a kid.

Let's be clear: this isn't a performance phone. With a 1.30GHz processor and 1GB of RAM, it lands in the 17th percentile for performance in our database. That means it's slow. Opening apps like the radio or simple games takes patience, and multitasking is basically a no-go. But for its intended job—making calls and sending texts—it's perfectly adequate. The call quality is actually a highlight, thanks to the dual-mic noise cancellation. Just don't expect to browse the web smoothly.

At $20, the value proposition is hard to argue with. You're getting a functional 4G flip phone that can handle the basics. The real value, though, depends on Tracfone's prepaid plans, which start at $20/month for unlimited talk and text. If you're comparing it to other budget phones, it's not in the same league as a $150 Moto G smartphone. But if you specifically want a flip phone to avoid apps and screens, there are very few new options this cheap.

This isn't competing with the iPhone 15 or Google Pixel. Its real competitors are other basic phones. Compared to the Alcatel GO FLIP series, the TCL FLIP 3 has a slightly more modern look and that handy FM radio. However, some users find the Alcatel's service activation simpler. If you need a bit more functionality but still want simplicity, the Nokia 2780 Flip is a step up with better battery life and a more refined KaiOS experience, but it costs more. For anyone who needs apps, email, or a good camera, even the cheapest Motorola Moto G smartphone is a vastly better choice.

Skip this phone if you need reliable group texting (MMS can be spotty), use any apps for daily tasks, or want a hassle-free setup process. It's also not for anyone who needs a durable 'beater' phone, as its build scores in the 41st percentile. If you're in those camps, look at a basic smartphone like the Motorola Moto G Play or a purpose-built senior phone like the Jitterbug Flip2.

Should you buy the TCL FLIP 3? Yes, but only if you know exactly what you're getting. This is a purpose-built tool for calls, texts, and radio. It's perfect for minimizing screen time, as a kid's first phone, or as an emergency backup you can toss in a glove box. If that's your goal, it's a fantastic, cheap solution. But if you need reliable texting with group chats, easy plan management, or any app at all, you'll find this phone frustrating. It does a few things well, and everything else not so much.