Minimal, a company dedicated to providing distraction-free phones, seems to believe smartphones have ruined society and wants to help users reclaim their lives. MinimalPhone is designed for users who pursue efficiency and simplicity. It uses a QWERTY physical full keyboard and E-Ink display, which is said to reduce eye fatigue and promote healthy sleep. Think of a more modern yet minimalist BlackBerry and you'll get a kick out of it.
The device has a built-in 4,000mAh battery that can be used for up to four days on a single charge. With fast charging, it can be fully charged from empty in just one hour, or to 80% charge in 30 minutes. It runs a custom operating system, but it's unclear whether it's based on Android or another platform.
There's not much information aside from a few device renders, a Black Mirror -style trailer, and a landing page with an opt-in waitlist option. Perhaps more concerning than the lack of details is the fact that the brand itself seems unsure.
Between the trailer and the landing page, I found no fewer than five different spelling variations of the brand name, including Minimal, Mnml, Miniimal, Minml, and Miniml.
Minimalist/companion phones are not a new concept. Devices like the LightPhone, PalmPhone, and Nokia 150 have all tried to dilute the modern smartphone experience by removing features and even internet connectivity.
In fact, to reduce screen time on your phone, you don’t need to buy a device without any functionality. Modern smartphones often have all the necessary controls to reduce or even completely disable alerts and notifications from apps and services. If at any time you feel overwhelmed, simply enable Do Not Disturb or simply put down your phone and do something else.