Minimal Phone Ships: Retro Soul in a Modern Body
In an era of increasingly gigantic, blindingly bright smartphones competing for our attention, the Minimal Phone takes a different path. This is no incremental gadget upgrade. Today, the Minimal Phone ships to backers who supported its vision of simpler, more intentional mobile tech. It features a monochrome E Ink screen and a tactile QWERTY keyboard.
A Retro Soul in a Modern Body
Think back to tactile key presses and screens easy on the eyes, even in sunlight. That's the vibe of the Minimal Phone. Instead of a sprawling, vibrant display, it offers a 4.3-inch black and white E Ink screen. And yes, a real QWERTY keyboard for typing. It's a deliberate choice to dial down the digital noise.
Funded via a successful Indiegogo campaign that raised over $600,000, the Minimal Phone is now a reality. It is in the hands of early backers. If you missed the crowdfunding, you can still pre-order for $399. New orders are slated to ship in March. Find it on Indiegogo InDemand and the Minimal website.
Less Distraction, More Focus
The appeal is in subtraction, not loading up with features. The E Ink display is not for fancy videos or graphics. It creates a calm space for reading, text, and information. These things never needed continuous motion to become appealing. Power-efficient, it sips energy when the display changes. It's gorgeously readable under bright sunlight, a stark contrast from most smartphone screens.
E Ink has limitations. Fast motion is not its forte. But for what the Minimal Phone is trying to be—a tool for focused communication and information consumption—that's arguably part of the point.
Android Under the Hood – But Different
Despite the minimalist ethos, the Minimal Phone runs on Android 14. You can access the Google Play Store. You are not entirely cut off from the app ecosystem. You can install third-party apps, though selectivity is advised. Some apps are a more natural fit for this display than others.
Hardware to Keep it Simple
It uses a MediaTek MT6769 processor, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. The 3,000 mAh battery targets several days of use on a single charge. This offers relief from frequent charging rituals. It includes 15W Qi wireless charging.
The 600 x 800 E Ink touchscreen has a 4:3 ratio, with 230 pixels per inch. A front light is for low-light reading. Physical buttons are on the side for volume and E Ink refresh. The keyboard has 35 keys with 0.15mm key travel.
Connectivity is via USB-C, headphone jack, and microSD card slot. There is a 16MP rearward-facing camera plus flash. Interestingly, a privacy-focused no cam model is an option. The higher-end version has a less usual lower left corner camera placement.
RIMED BY COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
The Minimal Company has taken on board community suggestions and evolved the design since the original crowdfunding. Proof of this evolution includes the camera-free option, along with Pebble, Onyx, and Fusion color choices.
Connectivity and Dimensions
It includes WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and 4G LTE. No 5G keeps things dialed in on the basics. It's small at 142 x 78 x 8.6mm.
Pricing and Availability
Preorder Price: $399 USD
Shipping: Now shipping to Indiegogo backers. New orders expected to ship by March.
