[MEGATHREAD] Light Phone 3 Reviews

[ShinRyusei]

This is the part where we make ourselves useful as a giant, permanent repository of information. Feel free to reply with new reviews to add to the main post!

Articles:

ZDNET - I switched to the premium dumbphone everyone's talking about, and it puts E Ink to shame

CNET - Light Phone 3 Launches With Minimalist Style at an iPhone 16 Price

The Verge - Light Phone III review: everything in moderation

Wired - Review: Light Phone III

Forbes - Light Phone III Challenges What It Means To Have A Smartphone

Videos:

[ronan]

New video :

[ronan]

New video !



I did not watch it yet, and here is a TLDW using AI :

David Pierce from The Vergecast has been using the Light Phone 3 and is trying to determine how far into its life he's ready to go. He describes the Light Phone as a project, around a decade old, from a company called Light, which aims to figure out the least amount of phone a regular person needs. The fundamental idea behind the Light Phone concept, exemplified by the Light Phone 3, is to have a phone that covers the essentials like making phone calls and sending text messages, and by 2025, probably includes navigation and a camera. The key is to have a device that isn't focused on social media, web browsing, and other distracting and problematic aspects of smartphones. The goal is to reduce screen time and do less of the things that people are actively trying to avoid on their main smartphones.

David has been using the Light Phone 3 for about a week at the time of the recording and finds this phone "deeply fascinating". He is exploring the idea of using it as a "nights and weekends phone" or a way to disconnect for a few hours, even while out, while still being able to keep in touch with essential contacts. It is also mentioned that the Light Phone has become very popular as a phone for kids.

The discussion in the podcast about designing the perfect minimalist smartphone was partly inspired by David's experience with the Light Phone 3. The central question he and Allison Johnson are trying to answer is "what is the least a phone should be able to do in 2025" without having an app store, a web browser (though a very basic one was later considered for emergencies), or all the features of a standard smartphone.

One specific feature of the Light Phone 3 mentioned is its music app. Unlike mainstream music streaming services, the Light Phone 3's music app requires users to upload their own MP3 files. David found this inconvenient as he no longer has a local music collection and had to search his computer for any MP3 files just to test the feature. This highlights a potential disconnect between the minimalist philosophy and the way many people currently consume media.

David also mentions trying to call his mom on the Light Phone. Later in the discussion, he notes that while the Light Phone is a "beautiful little lovely device," its sharp edges near the top can be uncomfortable against the ear during longer phone calls. This suggests that even in its primary function as a phone, there might be practical limitations.

Furthermore, David has been trying to figure out if he can port his SIM card and if the eSIM swap process works with the Light Phone 3. However, he has found this to be "all very complicated," and he suspects that the real reason for this difficulty lies with the carriers. This indicates potential hurdles for users wanting to seamlessly switch between a standard smartphone and a minimalist phone like the Light Phone 3.

In essence, the Light Phone 3 serves as a real-world example in the broader conversation about minimalist smartphones. It embodies the core concept of stripping away non-essential features to promote a less digitally saturated life. However, the discussion also reveals practical challenges and considerations regarding user habits, the necessity of certain functionalities in modern life (like music streaming or ride-sharing apps), and even the basic ergonomics of the device.

[ronan]

New video about durability and LP3 disassembly

[ronan]

New video !