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Light Phone II
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Light Phone II is a minimalist mobile phone developed by Light , a Brooklyn-based startup known for designing technology “to be used as little as possible.” It is the successor to the original 2017 Light Phone (1st generation), offering a few more features while maintaining a stripped-down philosophy. The Light Phone III is the successor to the Light Phone II, adding cameras, a fingerprint sensor, and an AMOLED screen. The Light Phone II features a matte black or light gray design with a 2.84-inch monochrome E Ink touchscreen and no cameras, and it includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack for audio. Unlike modern smartphones, it deliberately omits an application store, web browser, email client, or social media apps. At launch, the phone’s only built-in tools were calling, texting, and an alarm clock.[10][11] The device is intended as an alternative or companion for those seeking a digital detox from full-featured smartphones.[12]
The Light Phone II is a 4G LTE-capable device that was first announced in March 2018 and developed through a crowdfunding campaign. It was positioned as a stand-alone “anti-smartphone,” unlike the credit-card-sized Light Phone (1st Gen), which served only as a secondary phone for calls.[13][14] Light launched the Light Phone II via an Indiegogo campaign that raised over $3.5 million from backers by 2019.[15] After some delays and design adjustments during development, the first Light Phone II units began shipping to backers in September 2019, with general sales at a launch price of about $350.[16] As with its predecessor, the device is marketed as a “phone away from phone” or minimalist daily driver—providing only essential functions and encouraging users to reduce screen time and constant digital engagement.[17]
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History
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The Light Phone II’s development was funded through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign launched in early 2018. The campaign was highly successful: Light reached $600,000 in contributions within the first 10 hours and went on to raise over $3.5 million from more than 10,000 backers.[18][19]
This strong response, along with $8.4 million in seed investments from firms like Foxconn and notable angel investors, signaled significant interest in a feature phone that could liberate users from smartphone addiction.[20]
Originally, the company aimed to ship the Light Phone II by April 2019, but the complexity of developing new hardware and software forced several delays.[21] Light shared regular progress updates with backers, and at one point had to revise the design: early prototypes in mid-2018 revealed that the E Ink display’s color did not match the casing, and that certain promises (like an aluminium body and USB-C port) were impractical for the final device.[22]
The production model ended up using a sturdy plastic chassis instead of aluminum and a Micro-USB charging port, and it also had a slightly thicker profile to accommodate a larger battery for adequate life.[23] Some backers expressed disappointment at these changes during development, although many remained supportive of the company’s transparency during the process.[24]
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Design and features
The Light Phone II has a black-and-white E Ink Carta display, measuring 2.84 inches diagonally. Its matte plastic casing and compact form factor reflect its low-profile aesthetic. The phone weighs 78g and charges via a Micro-USB port.[25]
Its interface is built around a vertical list of "tools"—such as Phone, Messages, Alarm, and Settings—navigable by touchscreen. Later LightOS updates added features including Notes, Calculator, Music Player (MP3), and a basic navigation tool called “Directions.”[26]
Unlike typical smartphones, the Light Phone II does not support app downloads, web browsing, or email. Its design philosophy centers around digital minimalism and reducing screen time.[27]
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Software
The Light Phone II runs LightOS, a proprietary operating system developed by Light, based on Android. It uses a heavily customized interface and blocks access to the Google Play Store and third-party apps.[28]
Reception
Reception of the Light Phone II was mixed. Reviewers praised its concept and aesthetic, but many noted limitations in usability, particularly around slow performance and lack of features.[29] TIME named the Light Phone II one of the 100 Best Inventions of 2019.[30]
Critics praised the Light Phone II’s minimalist concept as a way to curb smartphone overuse, but reviewers noted drawbacks such as a sluggish interface and the difficulty of typing on its small screen.[31]
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Legacy
Despite its narrow market appeal, the Light Phone II played a significant role in popularizing the concept of digital minimalism in personal technology. It is frequently cited alongside devices like the Punkt MP02 and Mudita Pure as a leading example of “dumb phones” aimed at reducing digital dependency.[32] Light continued to evolve the platform with the release of the Light Phone III in 2025, adding a camera and faster hardware while retaining the same minimalist ethos.[33]
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See also
References
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