Gigaset introduces 4G GSM flip phone GL7

Gigaset recently presented its latest smartphone – and it clearly stands out from the crowd. The GL7 is a clamshell phone – in the classic sense. Both visually and functionally, Gigaset continues the tradition of these phones that has existed since the 90s. Now, however, some smart features are to be added.

Reliable, large, practical

With its central advantages, the clamshell cell phone is aimed primarily at an older target group that places great value on a reliable, easy-to-use device. For example, the GL7 convinces with large keys, a robust design with a protected main display and a practical second outer display, on which important information is shown. This ensures that the time, incoming text messages or calls are always clearly visible – without having to open the phone. The device is made of durable polycarbonate.

In addition to these design-related advantages of the device, the clear target group orientation is also clearly visible in the other functional features. Clear menus with large fonts, a separate WhatsApp button and an emergency function. The latter also works via a separate key: If the emergency key is pressed, up to five previously set emergency contacts are called until one of the contacts is reached. This is intended to ensure that cell phone users are safe at all times. Thomas Prößdorf, the product manager responsible for the device, explicitly emphasizes this target group orientation: “As a classic clamshell cell phone, the GL7 may seem a bit retro. I can assure you, this impression is deceptive. We deliberately chose the form factor because there is a customer group that prefers these phones to modern smartphones. It is a certain form of understatement that is served here.” The practical pocket format of 117 x 58 x 24 mm can also be understood as target group-oriented in this sense.

In-house operating system KaiOS

Furthermore, the clamshell phone is equipped with the KaiOS operating system, which was specially developed for Gigaset clamshell phones. In addition to the pure operation of the device, this also allows access to an app store, where some basic applications can be downloaded. Besides WhatsApp, these include Facebook and YouTube. A dedicated Internet browser is also available. Surfing is possible with 4G. There is also a hotspt function that allows sharing the Internet access with other people.

Other features include a battery that provides 300 hours of standby time and nine hours of talk time with just one charge (there is no exchangeable battery like in the GS5 Lite), a USB port, Bluetooth 4.2, a 3.5 mm jack for headphones, FM radio, dual-sim and a two MP camera. In addition, there is an internal memory of four GB, a microSD slot, via which the available memory can be expanded up to 128 GB, and a GPS module, which allows the use of location-based map functions, for example.

Price and availability

The clamshell phone is available now in Titanium Gray. The price is 109 euros.