HMD has added a new model to its feature phone lineup with the launch of the Nokia 2360 Flip. The handset is intended for schoolchildren and older people who need a simple way to stay in touch. It has a folding body, two screens and a separate emergency button for situations in which the user needs help.

The more interesting addition is Family Assist, a feature that gives relatives some control over the phone without requiring them to handle it in person. They can maintain the contact list, change the sound level, arrange reminders and modify various settings. In other words, someone at home can take care of the phone’s basic arrangements even when the person using it is elsewhere.

Family Assist Lets Relatives Manage the Phone From a Distance

HMD provides the Family Assist application free of charge through Google Play and Apple’s App Store. It allows relatives to configure and look after the Nokia 2360 Flip by sending SMS commands. The handset itself does not require an internet connection or mobile data plan for this purpose. 

Among other things, relatives can enter new phone numbers, schedule reminders, alter the volume and set up emergency options. If an important contact changes, they can replace the old details, including a doctor’s number, directly from their own handset.

A Dedicated SOS Key Can Alert Emergency Contacts

The Nokia 2360 Flip has a separate emergency button for times when the user needs help. Pressing and holding it for three seconds triggers a call to a saved number. The phone also sends a text message to as many as five emergency contacts at once. Relatives can choose these contacts and write the emergency message through the Family Assist app.

Parents Can Restrict Who Children Call and What They Access

The phone also gives parents a way to limit what children can do with it. They can use a Family PIN to manage these restrictions. One option is School Mode, which leaves only the clock and emergency calling functions available. 

Parents can also restrict calls and text messages to numbers they have approved. They can block particular applications, including games and the camera. All these restrictions work through the phone itself. There is no need to install or use an app.

Dual Displays and a Folding Design Keep Things Simple

The Nokia 2360 Flip has a 2.8-inch main screen. Its menus use large icons and legible text, so users need not struggle to find their way around. A smaller 1.77-inch display on the outside shows who is calling. 

This saves users from opening the handset every time it rings. The phone also has a loudspeaker. Its simple folding mechanism handles calls, too: open the cover to answer and shut it to hang up.

Removable Battery and Three Colour Choices

HMD has fitted the handset with a removable 1,450mAh battery. Buyers will be able to choose from three finishes: Charcoal, Burgundy Red and Teal.

Final Words

The Nokia 2360 Flip is trying to prove that feature phones aren’t a thing of the past, and it’s doing so by concentrating on something that many smartphones have made complicated: staying connected without providing too many distractions. It’s particularly interesting for parents who are purchasing their child’s first cell phone and families caring for older family members, thanks to its Family Assist feature, emergency SOS button and parental controls. 

It’s a nice feature to be able to make key settings remotely, particularly if the user isn’t tech-savvy. The 2.8″ screen, removable battery and simple calling capabilities, of course, will not attract anyone who wants to use this as a smartphone replacement. But that isn’t really the point. The Nokia 2360 Flip comes in Charcoal, Burgundy Red and Teal, and is meant for those who prefer simplicity over a barrage of notifications.