I’ve been testing Barbie’s iconic pink flip phone – and the £99 retro device (complete with a built-in mirror, Snake and missed call from Ken) could finally be what it takes to send me on a digital detox

When you first see this phone, you might think it’s a prop from Margot Robbie’s hit movie Barbie.

But the cute flip phone does exist and is the brainchild of Human Mobile Devices (HMD).

HMD has teamed up with Mattel to create the real-life Barbie Phone, complete with built-in mirror, beaded strap and even a selection of glittering gems.

While the phone looks undeniably cute, it’s pretty basic, with a grainy 0.3MP camera and – don’t be alarmed – no social media.

MailOnline’s Shivali Best tested the flip phone today for £99. Perhaps it’s finally what forces her into a much-needed digital detox.

Retro flip phones, also known as ‘dumbphones’, have made a comeback in recent years, especially among Generation Z who are looking for a life without digital distractions.

HMD, the maker of Nokia phones, has previously released several redesigned dumbphones, including the Nokia 3210, Nokia 3310 and Nokia 6310.

But the latest offering may be the most appealing yet.

The Barbie Flip Phone features a classic clamshell design and comes with two interchangeable backs: a vintage “shooting hearts” design and one with brightly colored swirls. There’s also a mirror on the front.

As if that wasn’t fun enough, it also comes with a beaded strap decorated with Barbie phone charms, and a selection of sparkly gems and vintage stickers.

The design is immediately eye-catching (although a bit kitsch) and several colleagues came by my desk to ask what the toy-like device I was testing was.

When I was done admiring myself in the mirror, I flipped open the phone and turned it on. At that moment, a voice called out, “Hello Barbie!”

Since I use the iPhone 15 Pro as a smartphone, I’m used to having almost every app at my fingertips.

In contrast, the Barbie Flip Phone has only 21 basic functions. apps installed – and absolutely no social media.

That said, the apps that are out there are a lot of fun.

As someone who grew up in the 90s, I was happy to discover that HMD included the Snake game on the phone, with watermelons instead of apples.

Admittedly, I’m a bit out of practice and my first foray back into the world of Snake doesn’t last long.

However, the game has lost its charm and I think I could easily spend hours trying to reach the same levels I mastered as a kid.

There is a camera, but the 0.3MP lens isn’t exactly great.

As a millennial, I’m not impressed by the grainy photos, though my Gen Z colleagues assure me they’re actually “way cooler” than my usual, more refined snaps.

But what I enjoyed most were the Barbie Easter eggs I came across while playing with my new device.

In the Phone app I discovered a missed call from “Ken,” which I was even able to add to my contacts.

In the meantime, The ringtones and alarms consisted of retro songs with names like ‘DreamHouse’, ‘Azure Barbie’ and ‘Surf Chimes’.

Keeping with the Barbie theme, I discovered a Barbie camera frame for my photos in the Camera app.

Since I don’t have any social media apps installed, sharing them isn’t as easy as it is on my iPhone.

But it’s the hidden gems that make the Barbie Flip Phone so much fun to play with. Several colleagues even indicated that they would love to get their hands on it.

In the limited time I used the dumbphone, I never once longed for the technical capabilities of my iPhone.

I am well aware that these new features would lose their charm over time and I would start yearning for TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp again.

It won’t be replacing my iPhone 15 Pro as my main phone any time soon, but for £99 it might just be what I need to go on a digital detox.