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The Minimal Company, a Los Angeles startup known for pared-back handsets, has introduced the Minimal Phone 2 — a compact QWERTY smartphone that combines a tactile keyboard with full Android capabilities. The new model abandons the e-paper look of its predecessor in favor of a metal chassis and a design that recalls high-end BlackBerry devices.
Design and keyboard
An aluminum frame houses a 4-inch AMOLED 90‑Hz touchscreen above a full‑size, transparent polycarbonate and silicone backlit keyboard. At 9.78 mm thick, the MP2 is noticeably shorter than most modern phones, but a bit thicker than typical slab handsets.
The keyboard is a focal point: well-spaced keys promise measurable travel and tactile feedback. Minimal has clearly prioritized typing comfort, which could make the device hard to put down despite its anti-distraction goals.
Physical controls add practical options. A side switch can disable cellular radios or mute notifications, a programmable LED signals incoming contacts, and a headphone jack provides a wired audio option.
Software: full Android with a minimalist overlay
Rather than restricting functionality, the MP2 runs standard Android beneath a custom layer called Minimal OS. That overlay organizes messages, calls, and emails in a single view to speed triage and reduce app-hopping.
On the home screen you can start typing to trigger quick actions — send a text, add a to‑do, ask an AI question, or book a calendar slot — without opening individual apps first. For stricter control, users can block selected apps, cut notifications, or switch to grayscale. Minimal notes that reverting those hardcore limits requires a factory reset, making the choice deliberate.
Internal specs and cameras
Under the hood sits a Dimensity 8300 chipset, a mid-range processor that appeared in several phones around two years ago. The MP2 carries a 3,000‑mAh battery with 27W wired charging and also supports wireless charging.
Photography is modest: a single rear 50‑megapixel sensor with an f/1.8 lens and LED flash, plus a 20‑megapixel front camera. Those cameras likely won’t rival flagship imaging, but the device’s priority is reducing screen time rather than competing on photo quality.
Pricing, colors and crowdfunding details
Minimal plans to sell an unlocked MP2 with an expected retail price of US$699. Early Kickstarter backers can get an 8GB/256GB configuration for $599; that bundle includes about $100 worth of accessories such as a case, screen protectors, and a 27W charger. Upgrading storage to 512GB reduces the launch price to $675 (previous MSRP listed at $799).
Color options include Pearl and Onyx. A Kickstarter-exclusive Ember finish — a vivid reddish-orange — is offered with a 12GB RAM variant.
The crowdfunding campaign has already raised more than $850,000. Minimal successfully shipped its prior model, and the company lists global shipping of MP2 orders as planned for December 2026. Backers should remember that all crowdfunding projects carry inherent risk.
How it compares and who it’s for
For buyers prioritizing a physical keyboard and a distraction-focused interface, the MP2 presents a distinctive option. If price or different hardware trade-offs matter, alternatives exist. For example, the Unihertz Titan 2 sells for about $499 and offers a keyboard that doubles as a trackpad, a secondary rear display, and a larger screen and battery, but it uses a lower-end processor.
Ultimately, the MP2 aims to blend traditional tactile input with a full smartphone experience, appealing to users who want fewer distractions without sacrificing everyday functions like contactless payments and modern messaging apps.
