Photo: Minimal Phone
On average, a person spends approximately four to nine hours daily on their phone. Much of this time is spent mindlessly scrolling through social media or watching content on streaming platforms. Prolonged smartphone use can lead to several negative consequences, including anxiety, anger, and deteriorating social well-being.
Here’s a smartphone that promises to protect its users from the harmful effects of doom/zombie scrolling. After months of uncertainty and numerous delays, the highly anticipated Minimal Phone finally started shipping to backers in January. This phone aims to help users escape the distractions of modern smartphones. It features an E Ink display and a physical QWERTY keyboard—two components rarely found in today’s fast-paced but uncreative mobile market.
People and companies have largely forgotten the QWERTY keyboard. However, there was a time when these phones were all the rage. Remember Blackberry? The Minimal Phone is reminiscent of the long-forgotten Blackberry or Nokia E63.
Unlike the phones mentioned above, the Minimal Phone runs on Android 14 and offers many functions you would expect from modern smartphones without the clutter. This means that the Minimal Phone is not a feature phone. Instead, it focuses on reducing unnecessary distractions and information, allowing for a more streamlined experience.
Key features and specifications
Originally launched as an Indiegogo project, the Minimal Phone was created for those who want a functional smartphone without the constant temptation of social media, high-refresh-rate displays, and app notifications.
The device sports a 4.3-inch monochrome E Ink display with a 600 x 800 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio, offering 230 pixels per inch (PPI). On comparing it with the Nothing Phone 2, we find that the latter has a 6.7-inch display, and has a 20:9 ratio with a density of 384 PPI.
While its slow refresh rate and limited colour capabilities make it unsuitable for gaming or video playback, the screen is well-suited for reading and essential smartphone functions like reading.
Under the hood, the Minimal Phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, a mid-range processor typically found in budget smartphones such as Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime, Poco M5, and Realme 10. The phone comes in two variants: 6/128 GB and 8/256 GB.
Connectivity-wise, the device supports 4G LTE, WiFi 5, NFC and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring compatibility with essential modern services like Google Pay and wireless accessories.
The Minimal Phone’s hardware design is a nod to classic BlackBerry-style devices, featuring a physical QWERTY keyboard with a shallow 0.25 mm key travel. This layout aims to provide a tactile typing experience, although some users may find the small keys challenging without short fingernails.
The phone also includes a 16 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front-facing camera, though its E Ink display is not ideal for detailed photo review.
One of the standout features is its remarkable battery life. With energy-efficient E Ink technology and a 3000 mAh battery, the phone can last up to four days on a single charge, according to the company’s claims.
Additionally, it offers Qi wireless charging, a rarity in budget devices, and supports dual-Sim functionality alongwith a 3.5 mm headphone mack — another feature missing in today’s flagship smartphones.
| Specification | Minimal Phone |
|---|---|
| Display | 4.3-inch monochrome E Ink |
| Resolution | 600 x 800, 230 PPI |
| Aspect ratio | 4:3 |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G99 |
| RAM & storage | 6/128 GB, 8/256 GB |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, WiFi 5, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Keyboard | QWERTY |
| Rear camera | 16 MP |
| Front camera | 5 MP |
| Battery | 3000 mAh |
| Charging | Qi wireless charging |
| SIM support | Dual-SIM |
| Audio | 3.5 mm headphone jack |
Long-awaited shipping and customer frustration
Initially expected to ship in August 2024, the Minimal Phone faced multiple setbacks, with promised delivery dates slipping to September, December, and early 2025.
Reports suggest the delays were due to production issues with the E Ink display, though the company remained vague on specifics. As frustration grew among backers, some considered seeking refunds, while others maintained hope for a resolution.
A post from Indiegogo claimed that the phone would begin shipping on January 25, and it now appears that the units are finally reaching customers. Minimal has stated that devices will continue shipping in the order they were purchased, with deliveries running through March.
For those who did not participate in the crowdfunding campaign, the phone is available for pre-order in two colour options — Onyx (black) and Fusion (silver) — at a discounted price of $399, down from the eventual retail price of $499.
A distraction-free phone?
Despite its branding as a ‘distraction-free’ device, the Minimal Phone runs Android 14 and provides full access to the Google Play Store. While its E Ink display naturally discourages excessive smartphone use due to slower refresh rates, users can still install and access apps like email, Google Maps, and even rideshare services.
This raises questions about whether the phone truly limits digital distractions or simply makes them less convenient.
Should you go for Minimal Phone?
Although the phone promises a clutter-free digital experience, it does not address the real problem in our conditioning. You can go for several ‘external’ factors, but things won’t work out as expected if your mind goes back to social media.
Also, if your mind is well-conditioned to eliminate the need for social media and other digital distractions, there’s no need for this phone. Remember, if you cannot train your mind to deep-focus,
Another less-expensive alternative to digital minimalism could be as simple as installing a minimalist launcher on an existing smartphone, eliminating the need for a separate device.
Other E Ink devices, such as Onyx Boox Palma, offer a similar experience at a lower price point, albeit without cellular capabilities or a physical keyboard.
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