Tag: Sidephone

  • New Blackberry QWERTY Keyboard Tile Revealed in Sidephone Promo

    New Blackberry QWERTY Keyboard Tile Revealed in Sidephone Promo

    Key Takeaways

    1. Sidephone is introducing a new QWERTY keyboard tile, moving beyond its initial T9 keyboard design.
    2. The QWERTY tile features a compact setup with predictive typing, potentially similar to the Blackberry SureType system.
    3. Users can customize the color of the QWERTY tile to match the phone’s frame for personalization.
    4. The QWERTY module’s appearance in promotional materials suggests a possible upcoming pre-order announcement or reveal.
    5. Sidephone is targeting users who prefer tactile control and modular interfaces with its various keyboard options.

    Sidephone, the modular “dumb phone” that’s gradually gaining popularity due to its minimalist design and focus-driven interface, is now hinting at what might be one of its most ambitious accessories yet – a full QWERTY keyboard tile. The latest image making rounds on Reddit provides a clearer view of the attachment, showing how the company is branching out from its initial T9 keyboard and the recently introduced dial-style “Sundial” keypad.

    New Keyboard Design

    From the promotional picture, the QWERTY tile appears to have a compact yet familiar setup with closely arranged keys, somewhat similar to older Blackberry SureType designs. Unlike a complete physical keyboard, this one looks like it combines predictive typing with fewer keys – possibly grouping several letters on each key while using software prediction to figure out the intended word. This topic was discussed within the community as well, with users wondering if it operates like the SureType system, where you press combinations of keys, and the system predicts the word in real-time.

    Customization Options

    The render also suggests the same color customization that Sidephone previously displayed for its modular tiles – the blue QWERTY layout matches with the phone’s frame, meaning users will be able to mix and match tiles for personalization. While there hasn’t been any clear announcement regarding a release window for this QWERTY module, its appearance in a promotional email indicates that Sidephone could be preparing for either a pre-order announcement for the new keypad or an early reveal of the accessory. By providing various modular interfaces (the circular dial and now a compact keyboard), the Sidephone seems to be establishing a niche audience for those who prefer tactile control and the ability to switch out interfaces.

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    New Blackberry QWERTY Keyboard Tile Revealed in Sidephone Promo

     

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  • New Sundial Keypad for Premium Modular Dumb Phone Revealed

    New Sundial Keypad for Premium Modular Dumb Phone Revealed

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Sundial Keypad is a new accessory for the minimalist modular mobile, designed to improve music playback and device navigation.
    2. It features a circular dial with nine buttons, including four soft-touch media controls and four preprogrammed buttons for key apps.
    3. The keypad is modular and attaches magnetically to the phone, allowing for easy swapping and customization.
    4. The initial production batch includes 1,000 keypads priced at $29, with silicone cases available for $10 each or bundle options for $100.
    5. Pre-orders for the Sidephone SP-01 began on October 16th, with expected shipping for Sundial accessories set for January 2026.

    Sidephone has recently introduced a new accessory for its minimalist modular mobile: the Sundial Keypad. This innovative control tile is designed to enhance music playback and make device navigation simpler. The announcement was shared on the official Sidephone Reddit account, showcasing the Sundial’s design and its practical use, which visually resembles the iPod control wheel, though they do not function the same.

    Features of the Sundial Keypad

    The Sundial Keypad is characterized by a unique circular dial featuring a total of nine buttons. Within the dial, there are four soft-touch controls that handle media playback, including options for previous track, skip, volume up, and volume down, with a glass center button for play/pause. Additionally, there are four corner buttons that come preprogrammed for key apps like Phone, Messages, Camera, and Clock. All nine buttons can be fully reprogrammed through the Sidephone’s settings menu. The keypad is designed to be modular, attaching magnetically to the phone’s base, allowing for quick swaps. Along with the Sundial Keypad, Sidephone will launch eight new colors of silicone cases for easy customization. In an initial demo video, the Sundial keypad was seen being inserted directly into a production model by Sidephone’s manufacturing partner located in Shenzhen.

    Pricing and Availability

    The first production batch will consist of 1,000 Sundial keypads in silver/white, with a possible silver/black version if there’s enough demand. The price for the keypad is set at $29, while each silicone case will cost $10. Buyers can also choose bundle options, mixing and matching three different cases and three keypad types for a total of $100. The Sundial accessories are expected to ship with the first Founders Edition Sidephone devices, aiming for delivery in January 2026. It’s important to note that US pre-orders for the Sidephone SP-01 began earlier this month on October 16th.

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    New Sundial Keypad for Premium Modular Dumb Phone RevealedNew Sundial Keypad for Premium Modular Dumb Phone RevealedNew Sundial Keypad for Premium Modular Dumb Phone Revealed

     

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  • US Orders Open for Sidephone SP-01: Premium Dumb Phone with Swappable Keyboard

    US Orders Open for Sidephone SP-01: Premium Dumb Phone with Swappable Keyboard

    Key Takeaways

    1. Sidephone (SP-01) is a modular dumb phone priced at $249, focusing on basic functions like calling and texting, with minimal distractions.
    2. Orders are being sent via personalized links based on waitlist signup dates, with delivery expected in late 2025, but delays may occur during the holiday season.
    3. The phone features a custom Android OS, modular keypad options (like T9 and QWERTY), a 12MP camera, a 2.8″ touchscreen, and up to eight days of battery life.
    4. Support for US customers includes a one-year warranty, 48-hour email support, a 30-day return policy, and easily accessible repair instructions.
    5. Customers can cancel pre-orders anytime before shipping without penalties.

    Sidephone, the highly talked-about modular dumb phone priced at $249 (now known as SP-01), has officially opened up orders in the United States. This marks an important step for the project, which has gained a significant community following since its first announcement and has gone through several public prototype showcases and pre-launch updates.

    What is a Dumb Phone?

    A “dumb phone” is a type of mobile device that focuses on basic functions like calling, texting, and using only the most necessary apps, avoiding the constant notifications, social media distractions, and other common features of modern smartphones. The Sidephone is launching with just the essentials: phone calls, messaging, a camera, and a few key apps (including WhatsApp, Apple Music, and Uber). The attraction of dumb phones is that they help users regain focus and minimize digital exhaustion while still providing important communication tools.

    How to Order

    Sidephone has started sending personalized order links via email (as shown below) based on when users joined the waitlist. Each individual has 48 hours to finish their order before the link is given to the next person in line. Pre-orders are organized by the month of signup, with the first groups (signups from October to December 2024) receiving their order links between October 13 and 15, 2025, followed by subsequent groups until October 21. The expected delivery for US buyers is set for late 2025, but the team has cautioned that shipping delays might occur due to the holiday season around Black Friday and Christmas. Customers can cancel their orders at any time before shipping without facing any penalties.

    Specifications and Support

    The Sidephone runs on a custom Android operating system and features a modular, swappable physical keypad with various configurations, including T9 and QWERTY layouts (though not all options will be available at launch). It’s designed to be easy to repair (with low prices on replacement parts) and includes a 12MP camera, a 2.8″ touchscreen, 4G LTE connectivity, and a battery life of up to eight days with light usage. Support programs for US customers consist of a one-year hardware warranty, direct email support with 48-hour response times, a 30-day return policy, and a knowledge base for repair instructions. Pre-order cancellations are fully refundable prior to shipping.

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    US Orders Open for Sidephone SP-01: Premium Dumb Phone with Swappable KeyboardUS Orders Open for Sidephone SP-01: Premium Dumb Phone with Swappable KeyboardUS Orders Open for Sidephone SP-01: Premium Dumb Phone with Swappable KeyboardUS Orders Open for Sidephone SP-01: Premium Dumb Phone with Swappable Keyboard

     

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  • Sidephone: Sneak Peek at the New Dumb Phone with Android OS

    Sidephone: Sneak Peek at the New Dumb Phone with Android OS

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Sidephone features a compact 2.8-inch screen running on Android, with essential apps and customizable quick settings tiles.
    2. Initial messaging support will include only SMS and MMS, with RCS unavailable at launch due to privacy concerns.
    3. Users can customize buttons and choose from different keyboard options, including a T9-style keypad for the first 1,000 units.
    4. The App Library allows for sideloading and updating apps, with detailed information about permissions and source code links.
    5. Pre-orders for the US are set to begin in mid-August 2025, with initial shipments expected in Fall 2025, while other regions will follow in early 2026.

    The Sidephone captured significant interest when it was revealed in April 2025. Since then, the team has been preparing for the device’s release, and we now have a sneak peek at the operating system demo shared by u/sebastiansnell on the r/sidephone subreddit. In a 15-minute video, he delves into different features of the upcoming “dumb” phone.

    Display and Key Features

    The video kicks off by demonstrating Android on the compact 2.8-inch screen. u/sebastiansnell rearranged the widgets, highlighted the quick settings tiles, and showcased the default applications that will come with the Sidephone. These apps include various essential tools.

    He then opened up each of the mentioned applications to show how they function on the tiny touchscreen. Due to privacy issues, full messaging capabilities weren’t displayed in the video; however, Sebastian noted that the messaging service will support only SMS and MMS at its initial launch—RCS won’t be available just yet.

    Customization Options

    At the 4:09 mark, he highlighted how users can customize different buttons on the Sidephone, which includes a swappable keyboard. Users can assign important functions like play, pause, or next track to any button they choose. It’s important to note that the first 1,000 units will come with a T9-style keypad, as confirmed by the company. A physical QWERTY option and an MP3-style keypad will be available for pre-orders starting at the end of September.

    The App Library allows users to sideload and update Sidephone applications, providing access to a comprehensive list of compatible apps. Here, users can view source code links, permissions, and other details about each app. Sebastian mentioned that a complete list of available apps would be released in a couple of weeks. Additionally, users can scan QR codes to add repositories to the Sidephone to enhance the device’s functionality, such as by installing GPS apps.

    Typing Experience and Launch Details

    Finally, he showcased the typing experience on the on-screen QWERTY keyboard, which included quite a bit of autocorrect and predictive text—something expected on a smaller display. Sebastian mentioned that the T9 keyboard on his device was a bit buggy, so he opted not to use it for the demonstration.

    In an earlier Reddit post, the company announced that pre-orders for the US would start in mid-August, with the first batch of Sidephones expected to arrive in Fall 2025. Although as of August 27, there’s no pre-order button visible on the website, it should appear soon. Pre-orders for other regions will kick off in Fall 2025, with initial shipments planned for early 2026.

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  • Sidephone Update: Pre-Orders Start June-July with Global Plans

    Sidephone Update: Pre-Orders Start June-July with Global Plans

    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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  • Stylish Sidephone: Swappable Keypad & 8-Day Battery Life

    Stylish Sidephone: Swappable Keypad & 8-Day Battery Life

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Sidephone is a simple mobile device designed for calling, texting, and basic tasks, targeting users who want to reduce smartphone usage.
    2. It features a 2.8-inch touchscreen, a 12MP rear camera, and supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, along with essential apps like WhatsApp and Apple Music.
    3. The phone has a unique modular keypad system that allows users to swap between different designs for comfort.
    4. The Sidephone has a retro design, is unlocked for global use, and includes a long-lasting 1,800mAh battery.
    5. Pre-orders for the Sidephone have not yet started, but there is growing interest, and updates will be provided as the launch date approaches.

    If you’re curious about what a dumb phone is, it’s basically a simple mobile device made for calling, texting, and handling a few basic tasks, without the endless apps and distractions seen in regular smartphones. The Sidephone is a new addition to this category, aimed at people who want to reduce their smartphone usage while still keeping essential functions. With a price tag of $249, the Sidephone offers key apps along with a unique physical keypad system that can be changed according to your preferences.

    Key Features

    The phone features a 2.8-inch touchscreen, a 12MP rear camera, and supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It also provides modern conveniences like USB-C charging, a web browser, and apps including WhatsApp, Apple Music, and Uber, along with traditional phone capabilities. The device operates on its own custom modified Android OS, which is still being worked on. The prototype shown in the featured image is not functional, but a working model is expected to be shown off soon.

    Unique Keypad System

    One of the standout features of the Sidephone is its modular keypad system. With the help of magnets and clips, users can swap between different keypad designs based on their comfort levels. Early designs showcase options such as a full numeric keypad, a larger button grid, and a simple layout that has fewer buttons.

    Retro Design and Battery Life

    The design has a retro feel with clean lines and a compact structure. The Sidephone is also unlocked for global use and comes equipped with a 1,800mAh battery that is anticipated to last several days on light usage before needing a recharge.

    Pre-orders haven’t started yet, but there seems to be a growing interest. The company plans to release updates as they approach the launch date.

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    Stylish Sidephone: Swappable Keypad & 8-Day Battery Life
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