Key Takeaways
1. The Sidephone is a retro-styled phone priced at $249, with pre-orders expected around June or July and the first 1,000 units shipping by August or September.
2. Interest in the Sidephone has grown significantly, with over 100,000 people aware of the project and 10,000 on the waitlist.
3. The Sidephone features a unique magnetic keypad system, a touchscreen, a 12MP rear camera, and runs on a custom Android OS.
4. The device is being certified with Verizon and T-Mobile for 4G, which is seen as more reliable and energy-efficient than 5G.
5. Developers plan to showcase popular keypad layouts soon and hope to present functioning public prototypes in the coming months.
The Sidephone, a retro-styled phone priced at $249 that features a changeable keypad, has a potential launch timeframe, as per an update shared on Reddit. Just under two weeks ago, the production design was first shown, and now the developers have announced that they anticipate pre-orders to commence around June or July, with the initial 1,000 units set to ship by August or September.
Rising Interest
Interest in the Sidephone has surged significantly since its announcement, with more than 100,000 individuals now aware of the project and over 10,000 people added to the waitlist. To maintain this excitement, the team has noted that the initial batch will be fully self-funded and bootstrapped. However, they are looking into the possibility of collaborating with an agency to facilitate commercialization, which could potentially accelerate the pre-order timeline.
Unique Design Features
Previously, we discussed the distinctive design and hardware aspects of the Sidephone, which include its innovative magnetic keypad system that allows users to easily attach various layouts—such as a full numeric keypad, a grid-style interface, or a simplified arrangement with fewer buttons. The device also includes a touchscreen, a 12MP rear camera, and compatibility with essential applications like WhatsApp and Apple Music. It operates on a custom Android OS and caters to users wishing to step back from conventional smartphones while still maintaining connectivity.
Developer Insights
In a recent conversation, developer Chris Ristovski mentioned that although the battery can be repaired, it won’t be easily interchangeable. He also responded to network inquiries, noting that the Sidephone is in the process of certification with Verizon and T-Mobile for 4G, and no complications have arisen thus far. He emphasized that 4G is more reliable, less likely to require operator-side updates, and generally more energy-efficient than 5G, making it a better fit for this device.
The team is also assessing tile designs and intends to display the most favored layouts soon. If everything proceeds as planned, the Sidephone could present its first functioning public prototypes in the upcoming months.
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