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A key phone with WhatsApp: What might sound a bit strange at first, is in many cases quite a practical thing.
Many cell phone users are longing for the old pre-smartphone cell phones whose batteries felt like they lasted forever and which still work after decades.
No unnecessary features, just reduced to the bare essentials: just making calls and writing messages. Messenger services such as WhatsApp have replaced the good old SMS over long distances.
But if you want to use these services, you don't necessarily have to buy a smartphone.
What are the advantages of button cell phones?
Of course, the smartphone made our lives easier.
But not all of them need a number of extra functions and want to rely on a touchscreen, but want it to be as simple as possible.
Key cell phones are very popular with seniors, for example.
They are functionally focused on the essentials, difficult to break - and also usually significantly cheaper than smartphones.
The long battery life is definitely a clear advantage of key cell phones.
Anyone who opts for a button phone with WhatsApp has the choice between flip phones or so-called bar phones.
There are also some models that offer a small touchscreen in addition to the regular buttons - as a compromise between smartphone and button cell phone.
If you want to use all the functions of WhatsApp, you should opt for a model with the Android operating system - some limited versions of the Messenger app are possible with other systems.
Nokia key cell phone: These also enable WhatsApp
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With the Nokia 8810 and the 2720 Flip *, Nokia has two flip phones in its range, both of which allow the use of WhatsApp - albeit in limited versions.
Video calls, for example, are not possible with either device, and the 8810 * (which runs on the KaiOS operating system) does not allow status reports or automatic updates.
In return, both models offer the classic advantages of key cell phones.
They are handy, inexpensive and offer a long battery life (Nokia speaks of up to 28 days for the 8110).
So if you don't necessarily need video telephony, but only want to use WhatsApp to write messages or send photos and the like, you can definitely consider buying it.
Incidentally, the Nokia 8810 not only enables WhatsApp, but also social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook - e-mails can also be written on it.
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Key cell phone
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Clamshell phone
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Cell phones with buttons: Other well-known manufacturers
With the Wine SmartH410, LG has a key cell phone with Android in its program that also enables WhatsApp.
Cell phone users don't have to compromise on the messenger platform here - the cell phone offers all the regular functions.
The Wine Smart is currently rarely available - but can be found at used dealers.
With Alcatel, another well-known manufacturer of the "old" mobile phone world offers a smartphone with WhatsApp.
The 3088 * is a straightforward key phone that does not require many additional features.
However, here you also get a stripped-down WhatsApp functionality without the possibility of video calls - a light version, so to speak.
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Key cell phone
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However, if you do not value big brand names such as Nokia & Co., you will also find corresponding offers from somewhat lesser-known companies.
The BBM 680 from Swisstone * also offers a 2.8 '' touch display - WhatsApp is preinstalled on this key phone and can be accessed using the direct selection buttons.
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Clamshell phone
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If you want to rely on Swisstone but don't want a clamshell phone, the BBM 570 * is a suitable model.
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Key cell phone
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The TOUCHsmart * from Emporia also has a touchscreen.
However, as with the Swisstone model, the touchscreen does not have to be used here.
Here, too, the messenger service is preinstalled and can be called up using the speed dial button.
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With the TALKsmart *, Emporia also offers a comparable alternative to those who prefer to do without the touchscreen.
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Button cell phone with WhatsApp: conclusion
The good old key cell phone may no longer be state of the art - but obviously it's not dead!
A real smartphone cannot replace button cell phones with WhatsApp.
But if you prefer the convenience and durability of key cell phones to the many functions of iPhone, Galaxy & Co. and only need a few functions, you could find a suitable model with the models mentioned - even if only as a second cell phone.
* This text contains affiliate links. This means: If you make a purchase using the links marked with an asterisk, WELT will receive a small commission. The reporting doesn't affect that. You can find our standards of transparency and journalistic independence at axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit.