Remember the days when your biggest flex was snapping your flip phone shut to hang up?
Well… guess who’s bringing it back?
That’s right. Gen Z — the very generation that gave us BeReals, overshared Notes App apologies, and started trends faster than we can say "algorithm" — is voluntarily switching back to flip phones.
Welcome to Flip Phone Summer.
Why is Gen Z ditching smartphones?
It’s not because they’ve forgotten how to swipe. It’s because they remember what it felt like before the scroll. The TikTok fatigue is real. Notifications? Anxiety. Screens? Burnout.
So now, they're trading in their screen time for green time — hanging out IRL, romanticizing blurry photos, and calling their friends just to talk. No apps. No doomscrolling. No 3-hour screen time guilt.
It’s giving peace .
It’s giving main character energy .
It’s giving 2006 with a fashion upgrade .
What does it say about Gen Z?
This isn’t just nostalgia — it’s rebellion with purpose.
Gen Z is craving:
Authenticity (not filters)
Presence (not WiFi)
Moments (not metrics)
They're not just going vintage with tech — they’re going intentional with life.
So what’s the catch for brands?
Glad you asked.
If you’re a brand trying to connect with Gen Z, here’s your cheat sheet:
- Create for real people, not just algorithms
- Celebrate slowness, not just speed
- Make space for meaning, not just engagement
In a Flip Phone Summer world, the vibe matters more than the virality.
And here’s where Alma Mater Store walks the talk
Our premium Group T-shirts, college hoodies, varsity jackets — they aren’t just merch. They’re memories in fabric.
Made for that one friend who still brings a camcorder. That late-night walk on campus without a phone. That old-school group photo that lives on the wall, not the cloud.
Because some things deserve to be felt, not filtered.
TL;DR for your Flip Phone Summer:
Less screen. More scene.
Less scroll. More soul.
Less selfie. More squad.
So go ahead, romanticize the group call. Pass notes. Send letters. Wear your story.
And maybe, just maybe, snap your flip phone shut like you own the summer.
(Just don’t forget to order your matching team merch first.)