Minimal Phone: Updates in May 2024

This is the second video covering the Minimal Phone project from The Minimal Company. In this video I will cover the key updates and enhancements announced on May 10th, 11th, 15th an 17th 2024 regarding the project on Indiegogo.
If you haven't already, feel free to watch the first video to better understand what the Minimal Phone is and the goals of the project.
• The Minimal Phone: Rea...
00:00 Introduction
00:10 What is the Minimal Phone?
00:26 Key updates
04:49 Project timeline
05:50 Two version of the device
06:59 Color variations

[@RyanNiemer]

I've been both interested in this and worried it was a scam since the beginning! It just keeps changing and changing.... aka, more and more like a scam. I would LOVE for a device like this to exist and would buy it in a heartbeat. That being said..... I don't think Minimal is ever going to really release this and worry they're just going to "take the money and run"

[@LauraMalvoyante]

I feel the same. The updates are contradictory and the focus on the design over the functionality is a big red flag. The device is still set to release in September. I don't see how this is possible given all these changes that keep being announced.

[@RyanNiemer]

@@LauraMalvoyante Yep. Too many red flags

[@jacobcarrizales427]

It’s not worth $399 for sure. A minimalist phone should make calls, check emails, maybe have access to transportation apps and that’s it. It should do all of those things as well as possible. This is just a regular smartphone with an e-ink screen that’s less powerful than smartphones that are half the cost. It’s probably not a scam but it’s definitely not worth it at all.

[@akvammen]

I backed one but later cancelled. I think I did the right thing

[@porvoonosho]

They had a dream of making their own phone from scratch, but quickly realized it's very, very hard and expensive, and went the OEM route. AliExpress has many querty models which have the exact dimensions (but an LCD screen) and specs of the updated version of the Minimal phone. So yes, it's a Chinese OEM phone with an e-ink display slapped on to it. And there's nothing wrong with that.

[@sunnydivino]

Do you know how can I find those other oem phones on AliExpress?

[@EstebanN3]

Unihertz makes both a 3.5 inch and 4.3 inch qwerty keyboard phones that work will. They are probably using some of the same parts.

[@DrTheRich]

My biggest issue is the pixel resolution, pixels seems way bigger than even a low end e-reader. Makes text really hard to read and pixelated... Minimalism doesn't mean going back to MS-DOS pixel fonts

[@thetman0068]

I wish this device didn’t feel like a potential scam, because this actually hits the nail on the head in terms of what I want in a phone. I want the ability to use the same applications I normally would, with e-ink and keyboard. I want the device to discourage my social media use while still being capable of regular productivity applications.

[@LauraMalvoyante]

It's the dream device. Hopefully they prove all of our doubts wrong.

[@thetman0068]

@@LauraMalvoyante Indeed

[@khamronboothe3632]

Amazing breakdown! I've been seeing ads for this project on Reddit and was somewhat interested. Thanks for the updates and analysis

[@nasbeck]

Thanks for the updates :)

[@LauraMalvoyante]

You're welcome

[@XtruhSpecialK]

Honestly an e ink phone with a qwerty keyboard is all I want. These changes seem to make it a more realistically usable phone so I think they're good.by virtue of e ink, this won't be tempting as a media consumption device. I don't think this thing will be ready for a while though

[@JK-xz1lt]

Thanks for keeping up the info on this device. I do hope it is real and not some vaporware product.

[@bigture]

Interesting phone. Thanks for covering it. I've some thoughts regarding the concept of "minimalism" Being minimal should not be understood as being less powerful. It should be more of being concise and distraction free. To that end, inclusion of those features are well within the bounds describe above. Personally, I would like to see the inclusion of a programmable buttons on the device, such that I would be able to map functionality such as escape or ctrl-c

[@madhatterentmt6146]

im confused i want to preorder but on their site it says front facing camera optional but when you go to preorder there nothing to select front facing or not so ig ill wait

[@LauraMalvoyante]

That is strange. I would wait because I'm sure the design will change. It will probably have or not have a front facing camera. Having so many options would greatly impact production.

[@submersedlalo5631]

I just want a qwerty phone with a current OS.

[@LauraMalvoyante]

Me too. I think if they get it to production many people will get it for the keyboard.

[@suryanima_chandranima]

Any opinion on the Xeta One phone? Literally has a Q20 keyboard. Which, I’ve been realizing, is a huge aspect to why I never went with unihertz, with their weird layout. I don’t like the number row on the minimal. I prefer the integrated dial pad like BB has done for ages.

[@suryanima_chandranima]

Wait, I just went their website and they’ve updated the keyboard!! WTH?! No longer a 5 row with the numbers along the top, but integrated keypad to the left, like BB! If only their punctuation and symbol layout was like BB, too. Dollar sign on P? Instead of %? Why is % in the middle of the keyboard, near the ost used . , ?, etc, but ! is waay up at the top?

[@LauraMalvoyante]

@@suryanima_chandranima I hadn't heard of the Xeta One but I will definitely go down a rabbit hole a see what I can learn about it. Thanks for letting me know!

[@LauraMalvoyante]

@@suryanima_chandranima I'm not surprised they changed the design yet again. The keyboard is such an important aspect and those who know BlackBerry know that they had perfected the keyboard layout. This device is updated everyday and it's impossible to keep up 😅

[@matthiaswilkens7754]

I would like a device like a Blackberry Passport. I am waiting and I hope, i can order in Amazon

[@jcursiolf]

As for the RAM increase, a work in a company that develops for Android and Google is now requesting a minimum of 6 GB of RAM just for a new model to be released with Android. Which means that 6 GB of RAM would be a low end device. This is what I believe caused them to change it.

[@LauraMalvoyante]

That's good to know. It's crazy how the minimum for RAM has gone up so much. Same for computers.

[@CianMcsweeney]

@@LauraMalvoyante the result bad programming practices at large companies due to the pressure to "just ship it" from upper management

[@agokllani]

Great content. Keep going

[@LauraMalvoyante]

Thank you!

[@HackSparrrowakaSicario]

I was planning to pay 399 july for which the expected delivery said to me was September 2024. Now im confused

[@LauraMalvoyante]

The date has changed a few times. Given all the recent design changes and optional front facing camera I am sure that production will be pushed again.

[@HackSparrrowakaSicario]

@@LauraMalvoyante 🫡

[@em4me-Dan]

They better hurry on production as Bigme and Onyx are working on e-ink phones.

[@LauraMalvoyante]

I will buy an Onyx smartphone in a heartbeat. I love my Boox Palma 😄

[@hdtravel1]

The Minimal Company Website as been totally updated with the new design and phone colors - says they are shipping September 2024

[@LauraMalvoyante]

Then they changed it after I recorded this video. I am very curious how they'll implement these changes and ship by September.

[@BrotherAlan]

I think its funny how smart phones have reached the same amount of RAM that most laptops have. Lots of bloatware?

[@LauraMalvoyante]

So many apps are constantly running in the background, especially communication and social media. On our laptops we use these apps in the browser which is a lot easier to manage for the device.

[@Fr4nkSanchez]

I clicked on Pre-order but nothing happens. Maybe a scam?

[@LauraMalvoyante]

Oh no that's new. It could be a scam.

[@cvcubes8578]

My thing about this is I need to know more about the software of the device before I can consider if I want to support the device or not because I use discord a lot the most phones that are considered minimum list Don't really work unless I'm willing to carry your iPad with me as well just to text my friends and partner and I want to see a demo of this device before I can consider buying it or not because $400 a lot of money for something you don't even know 100% how it's going to work and if it's going to fit your lifestyle or not

[@jacobcarrizales427]

They’ve changed their mind several times. At this point it will work with all apps though. $400 may not be a lot for a phone but it’s more than double what you could get a phone with the same specs for just with an e-ink screen. Considering the kindle paperwhite signature has a screen that’s 5-6x larger and comes in at a little under $200 it’s definitely an insane markup.

[@cvcubes8578]

@@jacobcarrizales427 The thing is I hadn't seen them use a working prototype at any point so I'm a little skeptical because $400 a lot of money to invest in something you don't know that 100% works The idea of it is great and all but like I would like to see execution of it

[@lalew2]

just have no cameras

[@user-zy3ic6xl1j]

It’s a scam. Don’t forget it would still need fcc and ce before launch. Device don’t iterate daily. I liked the original design but after checking out the founder I opted to avoid this project.

[@Daxiongmao87]

I'm just waiting and seeing. I'm quite disappointed in the updated design. Glad I decided to wait to purchase for this.

[@grandcalifornia8410]

This phone will see a lot of delays. Expect first deliveries if it’s at all real to probably only start mid to late 2025

[@LauraMalvoyante]

Yes I agree. I can't believe they are still promising the first batch to be sent out in September...

[@None17555]

I was eyeing this device a little while ago. I assume that's why your video came up. The updates look great to me. I want a QWERTY keyboard on an LTE enabled e-reader. I miss my old Kindle. The new keyboard and screen make it more appetizing for me. However, the points you raise make me very wary of giving them any money. This looks super shady, and by the time it ships (if it ships), it may already be woefully out of date.

[@LauraMalvoyante]

I'm really doubtful it will ship by September. So many flip flopping decisions this week alone has me very doubtful 🧐

[@minimalisteve1]

This gets more confusing as the months go on. It certainly isn't a minimal phone. Surely this is another device like the Boox Palma? There is something about this project that doesn't sit right with me. I certainly wouldn't get one. Hope you have a great weekend.

[@LauraMalvoyante]

Yes it makes me uneasy to see so many changes like removing and adding the front camera. I still haven't seen anything regarding the software which is just as important as the hardware. Hope you have a lovely weekend too!

[@MrScottyTay]

ughhhh, I'm no longer interested in this. phone is now too big and the corners look more sharp too. The original design looked way better for usability. The new tallness of the phone will make it feel not as stable when holding it to type on the keyboard. Guess I'll just have to hope something better will come down the line from somewhere else.

[@nathaniellecompte55]

Honestly it seems like this company just wants to be bought out.

[@LauraMalvoyante]

Good point. Especially judging by the people they''ve appointed to the leadership team.

[@bravestarr19]

How is this a minimal phone lol . This is a smart phone..plain and simple..There is NOTHING about this phone that will make you use it less. It will be as addictive as a smart phone..I will stick with my Light phone 2..a TRUE minimal phone

[@LauraMalvoyante]

I think it's just marketing to call it a minimal phone. The light phone 2 is the ultimate minimalist phone!

[@gregorydillon9167]

As a current Blackberry user whose poor little BB is dying, a production focused, physical qwerty keyboard phone with an easy on the eyes eink display has me intrigued. Unfortunately, i need a new phone before November, and there is no gaurenntee or even likelihood that this would be in my hand by then. That doesn't even factor in the time to make decisions after seeing trusted reviewers with it if it even becomes a real product.

[@LauraMalvoyante]

I would love to see it come out and be reviewed by people who know more than me. I've worked in software and I know implementing changes like this could take a lot longer than their roadmap states. I can't imagine being in the design phase for a hardware device and shipping out by September. The manufacturers must be feeling the pressure too.

[@gregorydillon9167]

@@LauraMalvoyante also, in the unlikely event they hit their target, do you want a phone that went from concept to shipping in four months?

[@LauraMalvoyante]

@@gregorydillon9167 good point and no thank you. It will be very buggy and poorly constructed with a rush like that.

[@bigture]

Interesting phone. Thanks for covering it. I've some thoughts regarding the concept of "minimalism" Being minimal should not be understood as being less powerful. It should be more of being concise and distraction free. To that end, inclusion of those features are well within the bounds describe above. Personally, I would like to see the inclusion of a programmable buttons on the device, such that I would be able to map functionality such as escape or ctrl-c