
The real-deal Barbie Phone will launch in Australia on September 5, retailing for $199.
This collaboration from HMD (the manufacturer behind recent Nokia phones) and Mattel isn't what you'd expect from a phone launching in 2024.
The Barbie Phone is what's known as a feature phone or dumb phone. It does your basics; calls and texts, but you won't find an app store loaded with Spotify or Instagram. It has a camera, but it's only 0.3MP, so don't expect the kind of photos you'd get on a smartphone. Plus, in terms of entertainment, you can play a Malibu-themed version of the classic Snake.
The phone is full of easter eggs including a missed call from Ken, "Hi Barbie" welcome voice and something is set to happen when you punch in the numbers that correspond with "BARBIE".
It's designed to be used as a fun way to digital detox. According to the market research company GWI, Gen Z has been embracing the digital detox movement. Since 2021, Gen Z seeing friends in person is up by 28% while talking to their friends online has dropped by 13%.
The phone comes with all sorts of accessories so you can live out your Y2K-Barbie-themed fantasies. It comes with two extra back covers, a pink battery, a pink USB-A to USB-C charging cable, stickers and sticker gems, a beaded lanyard and charms and a branded pink cleaning cloth.

You'll be able to get the Barbie Phone in-store from JB Hi-Fi, Big W, Officeworks, The Good Guys and Harvey Norman and online at Amazon.
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Dylan Crismale
Digital Content Editor