An Overview of Light Phone II – Less is More

Would you buy a mobile phone that can only call, text, and set alarms?

In our current fast-paced and technologically-driven world, we are more attached to our iPhones and Androids than ever before. Some of us are trapped in an anxiety-inducing loop—whereby we can’t go a few minutes without reaching out for our phones. Open Twitter, get lost in the feeds for a few hours, put the phone away! A notification pulses, you’re back at it again…and so on.

While relying on our smartphones might sound harmless at face value, it’s actually a mental problem described as nomophobia—NO MObile PHone phOBIA. With increasing concerns regarding the impact of smartphones on our well-being, two designers came up with the Light Phone. A dinky device that claims to be “a phone for humans.”

 

 

The Ideology Behind the Light Phone II

Walk into any restaurant and there’s a good chance you’ll find a group of people eating together—but barely interacting as they’re all glued to their screens. To be honest, it’s quite easy to get lost in your smartphone.

Scrolling for 2 pages just doesn’t seem to cut it—and it’s partly the fault of our phones. You see; social media platforms, games, and other time-consuming apps are designed to lure and hook you one way or another. Light Phone II’s creators—Joe Hollier and Kaiwei Tang—realized this “trap” and launched a Kickstarter campaign for a device that freed users from the push notification cycle.

With the success of their original 2017 Light Phone, the company is back with the Light Phone II. This new device builds upon the first iteration—including some additional features. (PS: the first Light Phone could only make and receive calls).

 

Key Features and Specs

• Price: $350
• Battery Life: According to the company, a fully juiced battery can last you 3 days of usage or 7 days on standby.
• Dimensions: It measures 95.85 x 55.85 x 8.75 mm—with a weight of 78 grams
• Charging: The device comes with a Micro-USB charging port.
• Connectivity: It has 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS connections.
• It has a SIM slot that works with Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T network carriers in the U.S.—but you can also opt for a $30 Light Phone monthly plan.
• The Light Phone II comes with a headphone jack.

 

Review of the Light Phone II

The whole point of the Light Phone II is quite simple. No Twitter notification to ruin your dinner! No emails in the morning to disrupt your workout. By having LESS features on your phone, you get to enjoy MORE of life.

But based on hands-on reviews, the Light Phone II is a divisive device (*rhyme game on point). On the one hand, the phone is aesthetically appealing, its intentions are noble, and the battery life is respectable. On the other hand, PC Mag notes that it has issues with screen ghosting, call quality, and the design isn’t ergonomic.

So, is this device worth the $350 price tag? Well, this depends on the user. As Michael Zelenko from The Verge puts it, “There may not be a mass market for minimalist phones — they’re expensive, they’re superfluous, they’re extra — but there could be niche markets for the Light Phone: well-to-do campers, weekend warriors, the hyper-wired looking for relief.”