He Barbie phone It’s here, it’s very pink, cute and collectible. Unveiled by device maker HMD (today it stands for Human Made Devices) during Mobile World Congress 2024created on the basis of the classic clamshell from Nokia.
It’s full of Barbie style, from the Barbie filters in the camera app to the missed call from Ken that appears on the screen when you turn on the phone. If you’re a Barbie maniac, you’re going to want this phone.
It comes in a super-presentable, jewelry-box-like package with a removable tray to store the fun bits and pieces that come with the phone. You get a cute strap with charms like sunglasses and a boot with removable wheels, Barbie-style stickers, specially designed adhesive lenses for the swappable backs, and an extra battery. Naturally, the battery is pink, as is the included USB-C cable.
The flip phone itself is also pink, but the front and screen act as a mirror, ready to make you look your best using the Barbie filters included in the software. When you turn on the phone, you’re greeted with the phrase “Hello, Barbie” when it starts up, and a fully customizable menu system that matches the color scheme (in other words, pink), as well as custom icons and a special Malibu version of the classic game Snake.
HMD promises plenty of Easter eggs throughout the software, so it’s worth exploring. For example, typing #227243# on the keyboard will cause something magical to happen.
In terms of software, the UK and Europe Barbie phone runs the HMD S30+ software, as does the Nokia 3210 The S30+ is re-released, but in the US it will come with Kai OS. This is due to region-specific requirements, and while it means more apps will be available, the phone lacks the special Barbie Easter eggs found on the S30+ versions. In terms of hardware, the phone has a 2.8-inch main display and a 1.77-inch external display, Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a VGA camera, 4G connectivity, and an FM radio.
HMD says the Barbie Phone is “steeped in nostalgia,” and reminds us that the feature phone is part of the company’s efforts to encourage us to use our smartphones less. I’m not sure anyone would actually want to use the Barbie Phone in that way, but there’s no doubt it’s a fun collectible phone for fans.
Available from August 28 in the UK and Europe for £99, and it will also be coming to the US around October for $129.
Source: Digital Trends
