TCL Communication Announces the Alcatel GO FLIP 3 and Alcatel SMARTFLIP, the first flip phones with Google Assistant. Smart feature phones aren’t a thing of the past, nor are they for low-income individuals only. Quite the opposite: two new models hitting US stores this month show that there’s growing demand for smart feature phones by new audiences in North America.
With their ability to withstand shock better than the typical smartphone, their impressive battery life, their affordability, as well as their retro charm, the Alcatel GO FLIP 3 and the Alcatel SMARTFLIP cater to outdoor workers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, senior citizens, and minimalists.
The newest additions to the line of smart feature phones by Alcatel – the first model was the Alcatel GO FLIP, launched in 2017 – the GO FLIP 3 and the SMARTFLIP, like their predecessor, come with 4G LTE connectivity, which makes voice calls clearer and more natural-sounding; a quad-core processor, which helps increase overall speed; a 4GB built-in memory that can be stretched to 32GB of expandable microSD memory storage; and battery that lasts up to 7 hours of continuous 4G LTE talk time.
What sets the GO FLIP 3 and the SMARTFLIP apart is that they also support Google Services – including Google Assistant, YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Search.
Users of both devices will be able to send emails, surf the web, watch videos, use voice command to complete tasks, and choose from over 150 apps to download from the KaiStore. (Click here to see all the apps.)
Those interested in buying the Alcatel SMARTFLIP can do so at AT&T and Cricket Wireless starting today. The Alcatel GO FLIP 3 will be available at Metro by T-Mobile by the end of the month and at T-Mobile in October.
For more information about these devices and their availability in US stores, please visit Alcatel’s official website.
I just got the Alcatel flip, everytime i try to access the store it says connection error, and it will not let me create a kaios account either, it says not available.
Hello! Thank you for bringing up the issue with the KaiStore. Please make sure that you have a valid SIM card inserted on your phone. Then you should go to Settings -> Device -> Device Information -> Software -> Software Update and update your software version to the most recent one.
The store seems to be working fine now. I am loving the little games. Why is it that under social there is only twitter?
Dear Kevin, under social apps there should be Facebook and WhatsApp as well. Did you insert a SIM card on your phone? If you didn’t, please do and you will see more apps.
Nope. Only see twitter even though i put a sim card in. I want to talk with friends!!!
Hi. I had the same problem. I hope this fixes it. I want youtube!
Yes. My phone which has an active SIM through Tracfone does not have all of the Google apps that are advertised here, and under “Social” only Twitter appears. No Facebook, What’s App, etc. Can you fix.
Hello there! We built KaiOS to support numerous apps and services, but sometimes OEMs(the company that made your phone, Alcatel) decide to change/leave an app/service for some reason. To find out if there’s any plans to add Google apps compatible with KaiOS on your device, please check with Alcatel support directly here: https://www.alcatelmobile.com/support/
Hi, where can I buy a KaiOS cell phone with international shipping?
Hi! KaiOS is not responsible for sales. Please contact a device manufacturer of the phone you like.
How does a manufacturer in Nigeria get the phone powered by KiaOS
Hello! I can’t describe the whole process. We are working together with OEMs in order to create a good product for our users.
I have a copy of the original Alcatel Go Flip 2 from AT&T and just bought for my son the new Alcatel SmartFlip. I like the upgraded version a lot. There are two features which I wish it had, however, that I can’t seem to find. First, I wish it supported group texting and second, I wish there was a user option to route automatically to voicemail calls from numbers not in Contacts (that’s how I screen robocalls on my iPhone as real callers will often leave a voicemail while robocalls don’t). I assume both could be added as updates to the OS. Any possibility of those features being added?
Hello! Thank you for choosing KaiOS. I hope your son enjoys using Alcatel SmartFlip. As for your feature request, I will send it to our engineers, they are always looking for new opportunities to meet our customers’ needs.
Thanks!
Hello;
I currently use the Alcatel Myflip, through Tracfone, in the US. I like Tracfone because it is a very flexible company for a casual, minimalist phone user. My question is this: will this new “smart” flip become available through Tracfone? Or, will it become available unlocked?
Thank you.
Hello! Could you please specify your question? Do you mean which carrier will work on Alcatel devices?
Can the Alcatel Go Flip 3 and Alcatel Smartflip be used with a TracFone monthly plan? Is Tracfone as a carrier compatible with these phones? Thanks
Harry, please contact Alcatel support with this question https://www.alcatelmobile.com/#FSContact1
Can the Alcatel Go Flip 3 and Alcatel Smartflip be used with a TracFone monthly plan? Is Tracfone as a carrier compatible with these phones? Thanks
Hello! That’s a good question. I would advise you to contact Alcatel support on the matter because I am not sure if I have valid information.
I just purchased the Alcatel smart flip on AT&T however I cannot get my voicemail to work. I pressed & held 1, it consistently says the customer isn’t available and doesn’t prompt me to create my voicemail. Thoughts?
Hello! Thank you for bringing up the issue. Can you please send us an email with a description of the issue via http://support.kaiostech.com/support/tickets/new
I have an Alcatel 4044 flip phone but I’m unable setup my email account (gmail). Keeps saying invalid information. Google sent me an email saying that KaiOS was granted access to my account. What’s the problem?
Hello John. Sorry that you have faced this issue. It would be better if you send us an email with a description of the issue via our contact form http://support.kaiostech.com/support/tickets/new
I want to get an Alcatel Smartflip but as far as I know, it runs in KaiOS 2.5 and for me lack of Whatsapp is a deal breaker. Is there any chance to update firmware to 2.5.1+ in order to run whatsapp?
Or does 2.5 OS runs Whatsapp?
Hello Salvador! Thank you for keeping in touch. I appreciate your interest in KaiOS devices. It’s important for you to know that WhatsApp is available starting from 2.5.1 version. Unfortunately, we can’t comment on a specific update. A software update is determined by Alcatel, not by KaiOS.
Hey just got the smartflip, loving it. The AT&T model is working on tracfone, just had to input the apn settings a few times before I could send and receive MMS. The only thing is that (and I’ve seen others online say it too) that the notification tone does not change for texts when you change it in settings which is very strange. And sometimes when I click the email app it takes me all through the setup again
Hello! Thank you for your feedback. This issue is known and our engineers confirmed that this option of notification tone depends on OEMs, AT&T in your case.
Hi! I’m planning to buy one of this phones, to use WhatsApp. Wich is the actual options?
Nokia 8110 or Nokia 2720?
I’m worried about that KaiOS version requirement.
Thanks!
Hello! Thank you for your interest in KaiOS! WhatsApp is available on both Nokia 8110 and Nokia 2720. However, it’s important to know that you need to have a valid SIM card inserted in the phone and you need to have the latest version 2.5.1
Can I use this Alcatel Go Flip 3 in India with a Vodafone sim?
How can I buy this mobile in India?
Would love to see a release of the Go Flip 3 in Europe
STUCK IN KAIOS RECOVERY MODE, EVEN AFTER WIPE CACHE AND WIPE DATA HARD RESET STILL ONLY BOOTS UP IN KAIOS RECOVERY MODE
Hey there! Feel free to report the issue at contact@kaiostech.com so we can get it sorted.
How can use the Geo location to find the phone if/when my teenager loses it?
Hi! Currently, there’s no way to live track the device. However, you can ask your teenager to send his location via an app like Where Am I?
Hi, my mom has this phone and says she cannot download Google Duo. She got to the store but just sees the pic of the family. What are the steps for her to download the app? She is elder and new to technology. I am not in the same state. Thank you.
Hi! Currently, Google Duo is available on three devices only, which are Nokia 8110 4G, Cat B35 and Digit 4G. If your device is not one of these, you won’t be able to use Google Duo.
I have been unsuccessful in finding detailed instructions on use of the various apps (including those in the Store) on my Alcatel Smartflip 4052R At&t. As an example, I downloaded the Weather app but can’t make it work. I get message “check phone connection” and the spinning circle, but no further info or instructions anywhere. Same comments apply to the Browser. Calling, texting, and voicemail all fine. Maps works too. Where can I get app instructions?
It should be working without any instructions, straight away. I’d recommend sending us an email to contact@kaiostech.com, so that we can have a look.
Just got the Alcatel go flip V with Verizon as a carrier. Do you know if they’ve crippled it to prevent access to the Kai store? The icon isn’t there. Is there a way to sideload it? Thanks.
Hey there! Please reach out to our Support Team (you can submit the new ticket here https://support.kaiostech.com/en/support/tickets/new) so they can further investigate on this. Thanks!
I have your flip up phone and i dont know why each time i want to open a video it says that the system doesn’t have a program to open the file and i cant also not update my phone because someone blocked it from my phone so i want to update my phone by another way if you have or if you another way to update my phone thanks and im waiting for your reply
Hey! Kindly report the issue to our Support Team here https://support.kaiostech.com/en/support/tickets/new so they can take a closer look at your issue.
Hi, so I got this device and it works. I need an app for code based 2fa (similar to google autehticator). very surprised nothing like that is int he store. If I can’t have such a basic app, probably not worth bothering with KaiOS anymore.
The app exists here however: https://github.com/gbraad/gauth And is compatible with other (not locked) KaiOS phones. Go Flip 3 / My Flip is unfortunately a locked phone.
What would it take to add this app (which already exists) into the store and who can do that? Please feel free to reach me off-list if this is something I can help with using my limited dev / sys admin experience.
I am now on my second Alcatel smartflip from att. Got the first one and no matter what I did the notice tone for messages stayed the the same….one low dull beep. Spoke with 5 different people with ATT support and I was finally told it was defective and they sent me a brand new one. Having the same issue with the new one now. When I go to sounds and select a tone from the list for notice tones, it shows what is supposed to play, but still only plays the same dull low beep which I cannot hear.
Can someone please help? I love the phone but cannot hear when I receive a text message.
Hey Chris! We’ve found your query in our Support Inbox as well and followed you up from there 🙂