Hardware

Published on August 28th, 2024 | by Adrian Gunning

YOUR BARBIE™ DREAM PHONE IS NOW A REALITY

Get ready to ‘flip out’, because the new HMD Barbie™ Phone is here featuring calling, texting, and living in the real world without digital distractions. Human Mobile Devices has partnered with Mattel to create the new HMD Barbie™ Phone, which brings a burst of nostalgia and a splash of glam to your everyday life in the form of a retro flip phone. It’s pink, it’s chic, it’s sleek, it’s got a mirror on the front so you can touch up on the go, and it is the perfect tool to live your best life and take a vacation from your smartphone.

Bringing back replaceable covers, it comes with two alternative cases: the brightly coloured swirls of the 1992’s iconic Totally Hair Barbie™ doll and a vintage ‘shooting heart’ design. There is also a beaded phone strap that can be adorned with iconic Barbie phone charms including a tiny roller skate, and a Barbie doll-sized ice cream. In addition, you can choose from a selection of sparkly gems and retro vintage Barbie stickers to decorate it. 

Developed in close collaboration with the in-house design team at Mattel, the new HMD Barbie™ Phone is redolent of the original, vintage-chic Barbie world, albeit with a load of added modern sparkle, and it is a homage to one of the most enduring and famous toys in history. And while it screams Barbie, it also allows for epic customisation too.

This pocket-sized wonder comes with a dazzling set of stick-on crystals and adorable retro Barbie stickers including flowers, flamingos and rainbows, allowing customers to customise their phone. It also comes with a pastel beaded phone strap in hues of pink, yellow and blue which is adorned with phone charms inspired by the doll’s most iconic looks, from a mini pair of the chic 1959 sunglasses to a Malibu roller skate, a palm tree, an ice cream and a heart with a branded ‘B’. All packaged within an adorable Barbie and HMD branded jewellery box for your precious new accessory.

This phone also comes with hidden easter eggs for key Barbie dates and words, try spelling out BARBIE by pressing *#227243# and see what happens. A bespoke user interface including Barbie wallpapers and Barbie app icons to support digital wellbeing including ‘Digital balance tips’, ‘BarbieMeditation’ and in the settings you will find ‘Self-care reminders’. Even the sounds and alarms are relaxing, with ringtones to choose from including ‘floating’, ‘Coastal’, ‘DreamHouse^™, ‘Azure Barbie, and ‘Surf Chimes’.

When the phone is flipped open – a truly satisfying act in itself – everything on screen feels like it’s straight out of the DreamHouse. Besides the beautifully familiar ‘Hi Barbie!’ boot up sound that plays when the device is switched on, a missed call from Ken that you can add to contacts, the pared back, Barbie style user interface is achingly easy to navigate. Everything’s been built with Barbie in mind, it’s even got Malibu Snake switching apples for watermelons – the only game you’ll need this summer but do try to take a screen vacay!

Head of Licensing at Mattel EMEA, Ruth Henriquez, added; “At Mattel we have an unwavering commitment to design and innovation and this exciting new phone is a great example of that, tapping into important insights into how people want to limit their screen time. HMD has created amazing easter eggs which will make the user experience even more special and playful, sure to delight Barbie fans all over the world”.        

Global Chief Marketing Officer at Human Mobile Devices, Lars Silberbauer, said; “In our fast-paced digital world, it can often feel like the online buzz never stops. This phone encourages you to ditch your smartphone in times when you just want less browsing and more fun, all with the help of a true cultural icon, Barbie. Barbie is as popular as she’s ever been, and feature phones are continuing to go from strength to strength – we’re bringing two brilliant things together. We cannot wait for people to get their hands on the device and take a holiday from their smartphone”.

In recent years more and more GenZ’s and young people have embraced the digital detox movement and across the globe they’re actively choosing to limit their screen time and switch off from time to time. Since 2021, talking to friends online has dropped by 13 per cent, while seeing friends in person has shot up by 28 per cent. ¹  

The 0.3MP camera with torch delivers authentic Y2K style images which is the latest trend amongst GenZers who are taking photos with classic phones and vintage cameras, and it also comes with a Barbie camera frame for your pictures. With a battery that gives you the freedom to do more with up to nine hours of talk time to keep having fun out and about.

Follow @hmd.australia on Instagram for the latest updates.

Package contents:

•       HMD Barbie™ Phone

•       Two extra back covers

•       Pink battery

•       Pink USB-A to USB Type-C^TM charging cable

•       Stickers and gem stickers

•       Beaded lanyard and attachable charms

•       Cleaning cloth

•       Quick setup guide

Pricing And Availability

The HMD Barbie™ Phone from Human Mobile Devices has a recommended retail price of $199 and will be available from Thursday, September 5 from JB HiFi, Harvey Norman, Big W, Officeworks, The Good Guys, and online only at Amazon.

About the Author

Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.

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