Garakei (short for "Galapagos keitai") is the Japanese nickname for pre-smartphone flip phones that evolved uniquely in Japan, like the endemic species of the Galapagos Islands. They feature a foldable design with physical number keys.
In their 2000s heyday, they offered advanced features like mobile payments, TV viewing, and infrared contact exchange - features later adopted by smartphones.
Even in the 2020s, some users still prefer feature phones for their simplicity, week-long battery life, low monthly costs, and physical buttons. However, all three major carriers completed their 3G shutdowns by March 2026, so older 3G-only models can no longer be used for calls or data. Users must switch to 4G feature phones ("garaho") or smartphones.