ZTE Cymbal 2

Like the Nokia 2780, I had to think about whether to categorise this as a phone for kids or for seniors, and like the 2780 again, it could go in either really, depending on the user. But ultimately I selected this as a phone for a certain type of kids—teens who are more cognizant of the intrusive potential of the internet and social media in their lives than their peers, teens who are happy standing apart from their peers and not bothered as much by peer pressure, and also teens who are on trend (avant garde!).

Overview

Another flip phone, the Cymbal 2 falls somewhere between the ‘feature’ phone and ‘smartphone’ label. It’s certainly not ‘smart’, but it does have a few of the features of smartphones—like internet and a camera, though they are both so poor that anyone using them is probably probably a bit masochistic, yet to discover the latest smartphone technology, or enjoys retro tech (a bit like people rediscovering early Nintendos or Sega computer games). If you’re buying this for your child, note that you will be giving them a means to access the internet on their own, but you would be trusting that the dismal quality of the internet access is enough of a deterrent to keep them off it. 

Key Features

Calls and Messaging: Good voice calls and text messages, no real complaints about either.

Camera: Has a very simple 2MP camera.

Bluetooth, WiFI capable, FM radio, GPS.

Where to Buy

Be prepared to search if you want a Cymbal 2—you might have to order online from overseas. 

Etsy sellers stock some on occasion, often marketed as ‘vintage’, with buyers leaving reviews such as “Omg, the sidekick is soooo cute!!!! And the seller was swift on shipping, quality, and cuteness🥰🫶”

Ubuy (Australia and NZ) stock it, though it is out of stock at the time of writing.

Amazon similarly stocks it but is out of stock at the time of writing. Search around on Amazon though as you may turn something up in another location, like the ZTE store Canada.

Prices vary from as little as AUD $50 to AUD $160. You are likely to pay more if you buy it from a seller marketing it as a retro fashion accessory..

Strengths

Does the simple things well enough—texting and calling, bluetooth, FM radio, music, GPS, emergency dial, a very basic camera.

Users can access the internet, but only certain sites—larger, heavier sites like social media platforms often won’t load which is a good deterrent to minimise mindless time online. Inadvertent or not this enables some marketers to describe it as a ‘minimalist’ phone. 

For the right teen, the Cymbal 2 is ‘retro cool’.

For the right senior, the Cymbal 2 has the right balance of the essentials they’re looking for.

Weaknesses

The Cymbal 2 is seriously slow and everything except the messaging and calls are substandard; if you’re not interested in going retro for fashion’s sake or dealing with a cumbersome operating system in the interests of simplifying your life then you’re not going to like this phone, you just won’t.

Our Take

If you know what you’re getting into and/or have really low expectations from your mobile phone with ample patience, you could do worse than the Cymbal 2. ZTE phones are quite popular outside of China including among both teens and seniors, and ZTE itself does market this phone to seniors and trendy teens living life against the grain. It’s worth noting that the U.S. is currently seeking to ban ZTE from operating there out of security concerns; it’s unclear whether this will eventuate or if other countries will follow suit. If you like flip phones but can’t find the Cymbal 2 online (as it’s hard to track down), you may want to explore the likes of Nokia which are more readily available and offer better all round performance.