The Light Phone III is a refined evolution of the Light Phone series, embodying all the beloved features of its predecessors while introducing notable enhancements. It now includes a camera, faster performance, a larger screen, a sturdy metal frame, USB-C connectivity, a loud speaker, a flashlight, a fingerprint sensor, and 5G capabilities in a single global model, making it ideal for travel. Designed as a practical solution for those wanting to ditch their smartphones, it caters to individuals seeking a digital detox, parents aiming to be more present, or first-time phone buyers. The Light Phone III promises a better, more intentional life through its minimalist approach. The Light Phone III stands out with its commitment to longevity and sustainability. It features a durable metal frame, a USB-C port, a fingerprint sensor, a flashlight, 5G, an NFC chip, and a clickable wheel for easy navigation. The addition of a camera is a significant upgrade, designed with inspiration from classic point-and-shoot film cameras. It includes a dedicated two-step shutter button for focusing and snapping photos, ensuring ease of use and high-quality results.
The phone is also designed for repairability, with an accessible battery and easily replaceable screen and USB port, aligning with the company’s stance against planned obsolescence. This phone embraces eco-friendly materials, using Sony SORPLAS recycled plastic for the battery cover and speaker grill. Unlocked and adaptable to various lifestyles, the Light Phone III can serve as a primary phone with affordable service plans or as a secondary device with a unique number. Its speaker grill enhances audio quality, and the ergonomic metal buttons, including the camera shutter, add to its user-friendly design. The clickable wheel quickly adjusts screen brightness and activates the flashlight, emphasizing the phone’s practical, physical form. Maintaining its signature simplicity, the Light Phone III offers a black-and-white interface on a larger matte OLED display. This update enhances performance and usability without introducing unnecessary distractions. The custom wider display is optimized for texting and the LightOS’s simple tools, ensuring a thoughtful user experience.
The phone supports a customizable menu of optional tools, such as an alarm, calculator, calendar, directory, directions, hotspot, music, notes/voice memo, podcast, and timer, with more utility-oriented tools planned for future updates. These tools are always optional and never pre-installed, allowing users to tailor their phone to their needs. The Light Phone III’s technical specifications include 5G and 4G LTE network compatibility, a 3.92” AMOLED display, a 50MP rear camera, an 8MP front camera, 128GB of memory, and 6GB of RAM. It features GPS, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and fingerprint ID, along with dual microphones for noise cancellation and stereo speakers for clear audio.
At its core, it remains a simple phone with a camera and optional tools designed for intentional use, avoiding features like music streaming or third-party messaging apps, which may be added in future updates. The phone also includes hardware to support potential future features, such as a digital wallet via NFC or video calls with the front-facing camera. While considering additional functionalities, it’s crucial to remember what the Light Phone III will never include: social media, internet browsing, email, news, or ads. The absence of these features ensures no infinite feeds, maintaining the phone’s focus on simplicity and mindfulness. Currently, it supports only an English keyboard/language, but incoming messages can be viewed in various languages, with plans to expand language support.
The Light Phone III’s camera, like all its tools, is built for intentional use. Featuring a dedicated two-step shutter button, it offers a tactile and practical way to capture moments, with half-press for focus and full press for taking photos. The camera interface is limited to black-and-white, but photos are in color, with a 50-megapixel resolution supporting both still images and video. This functionality is ideal for documenting moments, capturing references, or practical everyday use, and feedback from users will help refine the experience further. Looking ahead, the Light Phone III team is working on fine-tuning the image processing and plans to share sample images soon. They are eager to incorporate feedback from pre-order backers through surveys, ensuring the camera and overall phone experience align with user expectations. The Light Phone III represents a careful balance of advanced features and the simplicity that defines the Light Phone ethos, providing a mindful alternative to traditional smartphones.