Smartphones resembling the old Blackberry still have their devoted fan base, as do phones designed to provide a digital detox. The Minimal Phone 2, though minimalist by design, shouldn't disappoint with its specifications, and its operating system could offer something truly exceptional.
Familiar shape, improved specifications
This is the second product from Minimal – the first Minimal Phone, unveiled in 2024, had rather modest specifications. Its 4.3-inch E-Ink display had a resolution of 600 x 800 pixels, a Mediatek Helio G99 processor, and a 16MP main camera and a 5MP front-facing camera. The paper-like screen was easy on the eyes, but it wasn't the best for multimedia playback.
The Minimal Phone 2's screen significantly distinguishes it from its predecessor – a 3.92-inch OLED with a resolution of 1080 x 1240 px and a 90 Hz refresh rate. An equally attractive new feature is the upper-mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 8300 processor, providing good performance and 5G connectivity. The Minimal Phone 2 also offers Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6E, dual SIM with eSIM, NFC, stereo speakers, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Another improvement is the camera setup: the Minimal Phone has a 50MP autofocus camera on the back with an f/1.8 aperture, and a 20MP selfie camera on the front. Its 3000 mAh battery charges at 27W or 15W wirelessly, and thanks to its compact dimensions of 122.6 x 72 x 9.48 mm, the phone fits easily in your hand.
photo: Minimal Company
Minimal OS - familiar Android, or a complete novelty?
The Minimal Phone 2's operating system is Minimal OS based on Android – equipped with all the typical smartphone features, but also allowing you to use them in unique ways. The physical QWERTY keyboard is one of this smartphone's main advantages, and Minimal OS strives to fully utilize its potential. Instead of tapping the screen, you can type commands, sending messages, taking notes, saving calendar events, and making calls without taking your hands off the keyboard. For those who prefer a command line interface to a graphical computer interface, Minimal OS is perfect.
Keyboard-based operation is just one of Minimal OS's interesting features. The Hub feature consolidates messages and notifications from multiple apps into one place, making checking them much easier, while the activity bar lets you check whether you've been distracted by social media for too long throughout the day. For those particularly determined to overcome smartphone addiction, Minimal offers a range of options that require a full smartphone reset to disable – these include a daily phone usage limit, a social app limit, a grayscale interface, or a pause before unlocking the phone.
If the unique concept of Minimal OS doesn't sound appealing, no problem – Minimal Phone 2 allows you to just as easily use the standard Android interface and even install your own operating system. The button on the top edge of the smartphone, which by default immediately disables location and cellular connectivity, can also be configured to your liking, transforming it into a simple mute slider.
photo: Minimal Company
Price and Availability
The Minimal Phone 2 is available for pre-order now by backing it on Kickstarter. You can choose from the black Onyx, white Pearl, and orange Founders Edition variants – the latter with more RAM and available exclusively through the Kickstarter campaign. All three are made of durable matte aluminum and are expected to ship in December 2026. The various variants of the Minimal Phone 2 are currently available at the following prices:
- 8+256GB - $599 (€519)
- 8+512GB - $675 (€585)
- 12+512GB - $899 (€779)
