Summary
- The Minimal Phone is the first Android device with an E ink display and a physical keyboard that emphasizes mindfulness.
- It offers LTE support, a dual SIM tray, wireless charging, NFC payments, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and expandable storage.
- The Minimal Phone has a 4.3-inch E ink display with a 600 x 800 pixel resolution.
Are you a fan of Kindles or other E ink devices? If so, this new smartphone might pique your interest.
The Minimal Phone is the first Android device with an E ink display and a physical QWERTY keyboard. After facing multiple delays, the device recently began shipping to backers on Indiegogo and is up for pre-order on Minimal’s website. The phone resembles a Blackberry but has the charm of a Kindle and the Boox Palma 2.
The Minimal Phone is meant to be a “distraction-free” phone. It runs Android 14, which means it supports many essential apps in the Google Play Store, like Spotify or WhatsApp.
However, its 4.3-inch 600 x 800 pixel resolution E ink display and octa-core MediaTek processor might be enough to deter you from downloading any games or social media platforms. The phone is available in three colors: pebble, onyx and fusion. It starts at $400, but there is a pre-order promotion to get the device for $300 on its website.
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An E ink device with a few surprises
It has LTE support, unlike the Boxx Palma 2
The Minimal Phone has a few extra perks you might not expect of a device of this caliber. Unlike the smartphone-sized Boox Palma 2 , the Minimal Phone has a dual SIM card tray and supports a 4G LTE connection. Other features include Qi wireless charging, NFC payments, expandable storage, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
TCL’s Nxtpaper phones are the next closest thing to the Minimal Phone on the market. At CES 2025, TLC announced the TCL 60 XE, which offers a paper-like color display with a feature called Max Ink Mode, which converts it into an E ink-like monochrome display. The 60XE is exclusive to North America and starts at $200, slightly cheaper than the Minimal Phone.
The Minimal Phone’s QWERTY physical keyboard should make texting feel like you’re back in 2010. If the 4.3-inch display isn’t too small for you, its E ink display might make reading on the go more pleasant. The phone is available for pre-order now for $300, though I would hold off until reviews are out for it.
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