Pixel a-series with GrapheneOS is already the "minimal phone" for hackers: cheap, reasonably small, hardened OS without Google spyware and bloatware. Compatibility with Android is fully retained so you can run things like Wireguard, Termux, Home Assistant and a myriad of other excellent FOSS (or non-FOSS) apps with complete sovereignty over your data.

I do truly believe phones, social media, portable news, notifications, attention-grabbing designs are a disease to our brains and whole society, so I like the idea of a phone designed to reduce use, but still have access to some things we can no longer avoid like 2FA codes, banking apps, maps, etc etc.

I realise many full android and iOS phones have features that allow you to reduce usage, but there’s a difference between something designed to do it, and something that just adds some easy bypassable settings on top. From what I read about this you have to factory reset your phone to bypass the restrictions you setup (if you choose that mode) so it seems cool to me.

I was hoping this was minimal enough for somebody with dementia to use to make calls, but when they say "Phone" they don't mean like the old folks do.

I kept reading though, kind-of envying the physical keyboard because that would be fun, but I'm a swipe-typing guy through and through. Then I saw that it supports swipe typing, possibly by sliding your fingers across the keyboard. The idea of swiping across those keys literally gave me frisson, won't lie. That would be so groovy.

I just wish I could get an answer from them on why a brand new phone is missing some pretty important LTE/5G bands in the US

The most exciting thing for me about this phone is the physical size. It's not a "phablet" like every other phone these days, it's basically Nexus 4 sized (perfect size for my big hands) which means easy one-handed use.

Not sure if I will actually get one since my Pixel 4a 5g (w/ LineageOS + microG) is still going strong, but I will admit that I'm tempted by this.

One thing that is bugging me (and maybe it's buried on the website somewhere but I missed it) is that I can't figure out what version of Android the phone uses. I wouldn't buy a phone relying on an older version of it

I want to believe, but the first phone was like six months late with no/bad comms, and when it came it was barely usable due. I believe in the mission but have lost some faith here.

I hope they prove me wrong so I can buy Minimal Phone 3!

I would like more information on what Degoogled means and whether it’s still possible to install 3rd party apps by some other means. Nice looking device, I expected it to cost more. Also, does this only work in the US rn?

The hardware looks amazing and I covet it.

The lack of substantial info on Minimal OS makes it a non-starter, though, and that makes me sad. Security and privacy are job #1 for a smartphone, and there's no way I'm running El Rando OS just because the hardware is cute.

If they partnered with Graphene OS, I'd happily pay twice their asking price, though.

i really feel like the website for a minimal phone should be at least somewhat viewable without javascript.