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Flip phones and basic phones · TCL · China
TCL Flip 3
On sale Sold to US buyers Google services KaiOS
Ships with: KaiOS
Flip · 3.2" · 1 GB RAM · 16 GB · 1,850 mAh · 143.5 g · 107.2 × 59.4 × 19.8 mm
Checked against the makers' own pages · Last reviewed October 15, 2026
The TCL Flip 3 is a 4G LTE flip phone with a 3.2-inch inner screen and a 1.77-inch outer screen. It runs KaiOS, a lightweight system for keypad phones (not Android), and its manual shows shortcuts to YouTube and Google Maps. As of Oct. 15, 2026, Verizon sells it for $99.99. [1][2][3]
- Price
- $99.99 (Verizon) [3]
- Where it's sold
- Sold in the US by Verizon; also listed (out of stock) by Tracfone and Straight Talk [3][6][7]
- Google apps
- KaiOS with YouTube and Google Maps shortcuts; no Play Store [2]
- Apps
- KaiStore (KaiOS apps) [2]
- Software updates
- Over-the-air updates; no update period published [2]
- Released
- 2024 (GSMArena) [4]
On this page
What it does
TCL says the Flip 3 gives you "access to email, web browser, and popular tools like calendar, calculator, notes and more." It has big printed keys, shortcut keys for favorite contacts and messages, and a dedicated external SOS button.
Other features TCL lists: HD Voice calling with dual noise-canceling microphones, M4/T4 hearing aid compatibility, a 5 MP camera that records video, Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, Wi-Fi calling, and a mobile hotspot for up to 10 devices. [1]
Specifications
| Display | Inner 3.2-inch LCD, 320 x 240 (QVGA); outer 1.77-inch TFT LCD [1] |
|---|---|
| Chip | Qualcomm QM215, quad-core up to 1.3 GHz [1] |
| RAM | 1 GB [1] |
| Storage | 16 GB (about 13 GB free); microSD up to 512 GB [1] |
| Battery | 1850 mAh; the battery ships separately in the box, per TCL; up to 17 days standby, up to 10.5 hours 4G talk time [1] |
| Charging | USB-C, 5V 1A, full in up to 2.5 hours; no charger in the box [1] |
| Dimensions | 4.22 x 2.34 x 0.78 in (107.2 x 59.4 x 19.8 mm) [1][4] |
| Weight | 5.06 oz (about 143 g) [1][4] |
| Rear camera | 5 MP, fixed focus, 480p video [1] |
| Front camera | None [4] |
| 2G/3G bands | GSM 850/900/1800/1900; 3G B2/B4/B5/B8 [1] |
| 4G LTE bands | B2, B4, B5, B12, B13, B66, B41 (TCL); Verizon lists 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 66, 25, 26, 41, 71 [1][3] |
| SIM | Single nano-SIM [1] |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n; Bluetooth 4.2; hotspot up to 10 devices; Wi-Fi calling; no NFC [1] |
| Headphone jack | Yes, 3.5 mm [1] |
| Fingerprint/face unlock | No / No [1] |
| OS as shipped | KaiOS (KaiOS 3.1 per GSMArena) [1][4] |
Apps and Google
The Flip 3 runs KaiOS, not Android, so it can't install Play Store apps. Apps come from the KaiStore, KaiOS's own app store.
TCL's user manual says that pressing left on the navigation key gives "quick access to Kai Store, Internet, YouTube, and Google Maps." So this phone does include Google apps. KaiOS's own help pages say KaiOS users have access to Google Maps, Google Search and YouTube. If you want a flip phone with no Google apps at all, look at phones with their own systems, such as most models of the Sunbeam F1 Pro. [2][5]
Where it is sold and how to get one
- Verizon sells the TCL Flip 3 for $99.99 full retail, or $2.77 a month for 36 months, as of Oct. 15, 2026.
- Tracfone and Straight Talk (prepaid brands on Verizon's network) list the TCL Flip 3, but both showed it "Out Of Stock" on Oct. 15, 2026.
- Unlocked: an Amazon listing from a third-party seller ("Mobile Dist") offers a TCL Flip 3 (model T435S) at $59.99 as of Oct. 15, 2026. The listing says the phone is unlocked from Verizon, works with "most Verizon MVNO carriers" and "Will NOT work for ALL carriers." We don't vouch for third-party sellers.
TCL's own US site has a product page for the Flip 3 but sends you to other stores to buy it. [1][3][6][7][8]
Will it work in the US?
The Flip 3 is a Verizon phone first. TCL lists LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 12, 13 and 66 plus band 41 (TDD). Verizon's spec sheet lists a longer LTE list (2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 66, 25, 26, 41, 71), so the two sources don't fully agree. It supports VoLTE (calls over 4G), which carriers now need because the old 3G networks were shut down in 2022.
If you buy it unlocked (see the store list above), check with your carrier before you buy. [1][3][9]
Software support
TCL's manual describes over-the-air software updates (Settings > Device > Software update). TCL hasn't published how long the Flip 3 will get updates. [2]
Questions people ask
Does the TCL Flip 3 have Google apps?
Yes. TCL's manual shows home-screen shortcuts to YouTube and Google Maps. It runs KaiOS, not Android, so it has no Play Store. [2]
How much is the TCL Flip 3?
Verizon sells it for $99.99 full retail, or $2.77 a month for 36 months, as of Oct. 15, 2026. [3]
Does the TCL Flip 3 have a hotspot?
Yes. TCL says the mobile hotspot supports up to 10 devices. [1]
Sources (12)
- FLIP 3, TCL North America. Checked October 15, 2026.
- TCL FLIP 3 User Manual (T435WS, English), TCL North America. Checked October 15, 2026.
- TCL FLIP 3, Verizon. Checked October 15, 2026.
- TCL Flip 3 - Full phone specifications, GSMArena spec database. Checked October 15, 2026.
- The Google Assistant commands, KaiOS Technologies. Checked October 15, 2026.
- TCL Flip 3 Prepaid, Tracfone. Checked October 15, 2026.
- TCL Flip 3 Prepaid, Straight Talk. Checked October 15, 2026.
- TCL Flip 3 (T435S) 4G LTE Flip Phone | for VERIZON and GSM Unlocked, Amazon (third-party seller Mobile Dist) store listing. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Plan Ahead for Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks and Service, Federal Communications Commission. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Device Unlocking Policies, Verizon. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Device Unlock (Verizon Value unlocking policy), Straight Talk. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Device Unlock (Verizon Value unlocking policy), Tracfone. Checked October 15, 2026.