TCL Lively Flip

Everyone remembers the Jitterbug. It’s simplicity and accessibility features have made it the standard for older generations who grew up without cell phones. The Lively Flip aims to be its successor. Does it hit the mark?

Design

The TCL Lively Flip comes in two different colors: graphite and red. Much like the Razer phones of decades past, it flips open like a clamshell. When closed, it’s compact enough to shove in your pocket or purse. There is also a small 1.44-inch screen on the front (when closed) for alerts, whether or not your urgent button is enabled, and the date and time. It’s a bit heavier and larger than some other flip phones for seniors, but that’s because of its larger, easier-to-read display and keypad.

Display

The Lively Flips display measures 3.2-inches and it is bright and sharp with larger text for those with ageing sight. It’s colorful and easy to see from a variety of angles as well as bright enough for outdoor use. Reviewers found the display pleasant, with some calling it a definite plus.

Performance

The phone performed well with all the basic features covered, including calling, texting, basic photography, and even a bit of web browsing. Reviewers also noted it includes services ideal for someone with disabilities or an older adult, such as the 5Star urgent button, which allows the person to press a button and immediately contact support for what they might need.

It also has Urgent Care features available for a fee if you’re ill and need to speak to a doctor or nurse. Finally, a remote location and status app can help provide peace of mind for caregivers and other family members.

Software & Storage

The simple operating system of the TCL Go Lively is easy to operate, making use of yes and no buttons to access apps and features. Reviewers wished it had a few additional features, such as voice dialling and icons for battery life or signal strength, but found the features included to work well. The phone has 16GB of onboard storage if you’d like to keep music, audiobooks, or podcasts on the phone.

Cameras

The camera is surprisingly good. It won’t keep up with the smartphone cameras, but it holds up well enough for basic use and quick snapshots for social sharing. Just keep the lighting bright. Reviewers stated blotchiness and pixelated outer edges plagued photos in low-light conditions.

Battery Life

The battery is small on this phone. However, since it doesn’t stay connected to the internet 24/7 and have to deal with an unending barrage of app notifications and updates, it’s easy for the battery to last a crazy long time. We’re talking days on a single charge in most cases.

Audio

The speaker is located down at the bottom of the handset, and according to reviewers, it is loud, clear and crisp. No doubt that’s to help those who may be hard of hearing.

Specs at a Glance

• Plastic chassis
• 3.2-inch color display
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 Quad-core 1.1 GHz processor
• Undisclosed amount of RAM
• Custom software
• 16GB of storage
• 8MP main camera
• 1780mAh battery

Bottom Line

This is a simple phone for folks that want to keep in touch with family and friends while enjoying instant access to help when they need it. A lot of the features that come with the TCL Lively Flip are things that would be useful for anyone with disabilities. With excellent call quality and large buttons, it ticks off all of the right boxes for someone who is hard of hearing or sight-impaired. If you have an older loved one or someone with disabilities in your life that you want to be in contact with and know they’re safe, this phone is a solid choice.

PC Magazine says, “The Jitterbug Flip for GreatCall is a fantastic phone for seniors or anyone who needs a super-simple device, thanks to its easy-to-navigate menu, highly visible display, and dedicated 5Star Urgent Response button.”

Caring.com states, “In today’s modern world, many elderly adults want a convenient way to stay in touch with their loved ones without sacrificing their independence. The Jitterbug Flip phone helps elderly adults age at home by providing peace of mind that help is just one button press away.”