Doomscrolling and distraction caused by modern smartphones are almost inescapable today because the companies and developers behind them know how the brain works, what colors to use, what sounds to produce, and other things to ensure that we stay connected to our phones as long as possible.
One mobile phone brand is trying to bring more time and productivity back to the modern world – introducing the Minimal Phone.
What is the Minimal Phone?
The Minimal Phone is a smartphone designed to be as distraction-free as possible by using a black-and-white E Ink display to reduce eye strain and distraction brought by blue lights and a wide array of color palettes.
The 4.3-inch touchscreen has a 230 PPI resolution of the E Ink display, which is low-power, offers a glare-free experience, and is perfect for easing reading.
It is also equipped with a tactile QWERTY keyboard (remember BlackBerry phones?) for more comfortable, efficient typing and ease of use. This would be perfect for people who prefer physical keys to touchscreens.
While it may appear to be one of those minimalist phones with limited functionalities, the Minimal Phone runs on Android 14 and provides full access to the Google Play Store, allowing you to download and install essential everyday apps, including WhatsApp, Amazon, Spotify, Maps, Gmail, and Uber.
It is also equipped with a 16 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front camera to capture moments. However, you can expect that it’s monochrome.
Minimal Phone Specs
- Display: E-Ink Touch, 4.3” display size, 600×800 pixels, 230 PPI
- Keyboard: Full QWERTY keyboard, 35 keys (including one hotkey)
- Operating System: Android 14
- Processor: MediaTek Helio G99
- CPU: Octa-core
- GPU: ARM Mali-G57 MC2
- AI Processing Unit: MediaTek APU 2.0
- Video Encoding/Decoding: 2K @ 30 fps
- RAM: 6 GB / 8 GB
- Storage: 128 GB / 256 GB
- Camera: 16 MP (rear) + flash, 5 MP (front)
- Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, NFC, Dual SIM, Bluetooth
- Battery Capacity: 3000 mAh (Li-ion polymer)
- Ports: 3.5mm Headphone Jack, USB Type-C, Dual SIM
- Buttons: Volume Up / Down, E-Ink Refresh, Power Button / Fingerprint Unlock
- Sensors: 3-axis G-Sensor, Proximity, Light, Compass, Gyroscope
- Dimensions: 142 mm x 78 mm x 8.6 mm (h x w x d)
- Weight: 165 grams
How to order the Minimal Phone?
If you’re interested in trying out a black and white phone, just like the old days, the Minimal Phone might be perfect for you.
It comes in three colors: Pebble (white), Onyx (black), and Fusion (mix). You can also opt for a higher storage capacity but at a slightly steeper price.
- $499.00 for 6 GB RAM + 128 GB Storage
- $599.00 for 8 GB RAM + 256 GB Storage
Currently, the Minimal Phone offers $100 off from the original price if you pre-order. It also includes Free Worldwide Shipping to 41 countries (as of this writing) for March Delivery.
Unfortunately, the Philippines is not yet included on the checkout page, but the company said it will soon add more countries to deliver.