This device has banned sideloading. Wouldn't go anywhere near it.
~~sideloading~~ installing applications from any source in a device you own.
Dam i just realized that, and now reading no unlockable bootloader either.
TL;DR: a stock Android option is available where you still can sideload
that’s only if you choose the “anti-distraction” OS where nearly no apps are available. stock android is also an option (on which sideloading is still very much possible but harder with a waiting period after the restrictions you’ve probably heard of).
i think this feature of the anti-distraction OS is probably a misstep if it can’t be overridden, but you do not have to use the anti-distraction OS at all.
Edit: Added TL;DR
It just says "Android OS", which can mean a lot of different things. No one would actually want "stock Android". But whatever it is is probably better than their own OS.
Android? Locked? No thanks, never again...
what happened to #7?
WHY WAS #7 DISAPPEARED? WHAT WAS HIS OFFENSE, ENJOYING A SUCCULENT CHINESE MEAL?!
It's the hidden feature
🤣 no, that was by accident. I was trying to create a spacing but it still listed it as a numbered list.
Locked bootloader is a no-go for me, I'm 100% on the GrapheneOS train now. But I do hope that smaller phones make some kind of comeback, I also hate how big they've gotten over the years.
I might have simply missed it, but I didn't see mention of expandable storage, and the provided storage is quite small. I also specifically noted the lack of 3.5mm (they will provide a USB adapter, but those are frail and prone to failure). Bluetooth is nifty and all, but when I'm on mile 7 of a marathon or even a half and my headphones die, I will be filled with a supernova-class rage that a reliable wired option was never provided (an inevitability). All that, mixed with the low specs, is completely a nonstarter. If there was a headphone jack I might feel differently, but this ain't it.
Slightly related concern, did anyone see that extremely condescending video from Nothing that was basically like "small phones are for nerds, and only idiots want phones thick enough for headphone jacks. Want to debloat your software? How about no OS at ALL so this expensive gadget does not function!" Talk about rage baiting. Fuck those guys.
I remember that video. I was in full support of Nothing until that came out, I lost complete respect of them after that. Just another company that went completely against their motive and a wanna be Apple😒😒
Nothing is so weird, adding AI buttons that can't be remapped and adding lots of new unasked features to their OS.
They had a niche and botched it completely.
Their phones used to look unique too. I used to really like how they look.
Tbh I originally thought that video was serious and got excited :(
Yeah, same. And I was not prepared for the level of outright contempt they showed toward their fans with that one. "These are our most requested features by our customers," proceeds to call them nerds and laughs as they brag about not building said features.
Literally every feature was something that sounded good to me. Even no OS I can work with as long as I can install one. Just save me a few extra bucks that way
They do have MicroSD
Oh sick. That's definitely a pretty big positive, then. Good lookin out
Locked bootloader means it's a pass, unfortunately.
Small is the new big.
Small, if true!
Locked bootloader, no headphone jack, dealing with a kickstarter. I'd absolutely risk the last one for the first two.
5.3 inches is not a small phone
They don't seem to understand what people actually want from phones.
As soon as parts became astronomically expensive, suddenly they're all interested in scaling their phones down. Just a coincidence I'm sure
Hey you might like this while you wait
https://cubot.net/phones/smartphones/pocket3-specs/88?l=en-us
About $250 on eBay etc
My favorite smartphone size was sony xperia z1 mini And favorite size of dumb phone - nokia 3100
if anyone here is fine with Android 8 then i can reccomend https://shop.shift.eco/shift5me as a small repairable phone with replaceable battery and headphone jack for like 200€.
The ressources are quite limited and it does not have NFC but if its just a phone for simple tasks it can be enough (check if your banking app supports Android 8!)
I don’t need a new phone anytime soon but if I needed one, my dream phone would be the build of the iPod Touch 5 (I love the small reachable screen and thin body) but with a good set of cameras, long battery, and modern features, and without risking bending or anything. Not possible I don’t think, at least good battery in such a small package, but that would be my dream.
Funny enough I have a large phone right now. I love the battery life but the size does really bother me. I like to use my phone with one hand but it’s incredibly inconvenient with a large phone. I don’t have tiny hands but barely reaching the opposite edge of the screen isn’t the most comfortable.
I'm blindly trying the upcoming Commode phone out. It should be small enough and it runs on Sailfish, not Android. For privacy and security, that's of course a complete wild card and could be great or complete shit for both.
I'm hoping the Sailfish core devs have 24/7 LLMs churning on looking for and fixing security problems. Practically the only way a small team like theirs could survive in 2026-27.
This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.
