# Brainy Flip Phones The Softbank Flip Smartphone Features a Waterproof Touchscreen By Michael Hines | Published 2011-06-07 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/softbank-flip-smartphone References: [dvice](http://dvice.com/archives/2011/06/softbank-foldin.php) & [e.nikkei](http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110522D22JFF05.htm) Japanese cellphone maker [Softbank](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chord-signalling) is attempting to knock off the [iPhone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-iphone-fold-concept) and Androids from the top of the smartphone mountain with their new flip smartphone. The Softbank flip smartphone revives a dying design (the flip phone) and pairs it with more modern technology such as a touchscreen and 16.1 megapixel camera. The Softbank flip smartphone will feature a 3.4-inch LCD touchscreen that should help it contend with the touch-happy offerings from the industry's top-dogs. The phone will also be water and dust-proof and will offer earthquake alerts and allow electronic payments. As of now, the Softbank flip smartphone is a Japan-only device, but I wouldn’t be surprised if American carriers adapted this design based on its performance. 2012 could very well be the year of the flip phone. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.1/10 - Popularity: 3% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Revived Flip Phones:** There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for cellphone manufacturers to revitalize the dying flip phone design and integrate modern features such as touchscreens. - **Waterproof and Durable Smartphones:** With the Softbank flip smartphone's water and dust-proof features, a disruptive innovation opportunity exists for manufacturers to develop durable and rugged smartphones that are resilient in different weather conditions. - **Localized Features:** There is an opportunity for localized features like earthquake alerts and the ability to conduct electronic payments to be integrated in smartphones to cater to regional needs. ### Where This Applies - **Cellphone Manufacturing:** Cellphone manufacturers have an opportunity to incorporate new designs and features for the evolving consumer preferences for their phones. - **Consumer Electronics:** There is a disruptive opportunity for manufacturers of consumer electronic devices to incorporate waterproof and durable features in their products. - **Mobile Payment Services:** Mobile payment service providers have an opportunity to incorporate their services into smartphones to facilitate convenient financial transactions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Refined Elegance Flip Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oppo-find-n3-flip.md) - [Pocket-Friendly Flip Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/find-n2-flip.md) - [Compact Clamshell Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clamshell-smartphone.md) - [Flipping High-Power Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samsung-galaxy-z-flip6.md) - [Advanced Lifestyle-Focused Flip Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tcl-flip-3.md) - [Flipping Multi-Display Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samsung-galaxy-z-flip5.md) - [Powerful Flip-Style Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-4.md) - [Productive Dual-Display Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oppo-find-n2-flip.md) - [Textured Clamshell Flip Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tecno-phantom-v-flip-5g.md)