Old style phone sales rose in 2014 for the first time in seven years while smartphone shipments fell.

It is being seen as proof that less expensive older models which actually make calls are probably better than smartphones.

Dubbed "Galapagos" phones because they have evolved to meet unique Japanese standards and tastes, flip-phone shipments rose 5.7 percent to 10.58 million in 2014, data from market researcher MM Research Institute shows. Smartphone shipments fell 5.3 percent to 27.70 million, down for a second year.

Part of the reason is that Japanese pay some of the highest smartphone fees among developed nations, while flip-phone rates are among the lowest. Many Japanese accustomed to years of deflation are content with old-style flip-phones offering voice calling, email and in most cases basic Internet services.

Panasonic and NEC pulled out of the consumer smartphone business but still make flip-phones, though, competing in a crowded market with Fujitsu and Sharp.

MM Research Executive Analyst Hideaki Yokota said 2014 was a particularly strong year for renewals in the subscription cycle for flip-phones, suggesting that last year's growth may not be repeated this year.