This impressive E Ink phone looks like it's straight out of the dreams of BlackBerry enthusiasts.
Do you remember the impressive BlackBerry keyboards? The Minimal Phone is bringing back that charm, complemented by a black and white screen and the Android operating system.
About a week ago, an interesting crowdfunding project that started on Indiegogo began its shipping process. This progress is notable in itself for a project funded through contributions, but what really stands out is the device in question. The Minimal Phone is presented as the “first QWERTY phone with an E-Ink screen,” according to the company.
Unlike other minimalist phones with E Ink panels that aim to reduce phone addiction by offering a less attractive black-and-white screen, this model features a physical keyboard. This QWERTY keyboard provides an authentic tactile experience. Since the release of the Key2 in 2022, BlackBerry has been out of the market, attempting to revive its legacy with QWERTY keyboards. Some Chinese brands, like Unihertz, have continued producing phones with physical keyboards, but they are quite specific models.
The Minimal Company has merged the retro desire for a physical keyboard with the proposal of an E Ink screen, designed to help moderate digital habits. The Minimal Phone has a 4.3-inch display with a 4:3 aspect ratio, reminiscent of LG's peculiar Vu series. According to the company, “high-performance games or video-heavy applications may not provide the best user experience.” However, it’s not impossible to enjoy some games like Angry Birds on an E Ink screen device, although the experience may vary.
Fortunately, it was decided to equip the phone with a full Android operating system (version 14.0), meaning it is a fully functional phone. As mentioned, the goal of the Minimal Phone is to “live more and scroll less,” so it presents itself as a real phone with calling and data functionalities enabled by a SIM card. In the United States, it is compatible with major carriers such as Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.
The Minimal Phone includes a 3,000 mAh battery, which, thanks to its low-power monochrome panel, is said to last “several days.” This phone has some additional surprises: it has a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a 16-megapixel camera, accepts dual SIMs, and allows for storage expansion via microSD.
It also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. In terms of power, users can choose between versions with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, in addition to the corresponding variant of 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The phone runs on an eight-core MediaTek Helio G99 processor, while camera tasks are handled by a 16-megapixel rear sensor and a 5-megapixel front camera. Below the screen, there is a physical navigation bar with three buttons.
With a starting price of $399, which includes a $100 discount for pre-orders, the Minimal Phone is already being shipped globally. It is available in white, black, and a black-and-white two-tone format.
