Here, we introduce the LoFone, a phone with a Kaleido 3 colour e-paper display. As mentioned in a Reddit post on this, the LoFone has the same essential looks of a smartphone though its makers claim special effort has been made to make it more of a dumb phone than being smart. No wonder they are calling it an ‘antidote to smartphone addiction.’ You should have already gotten the message that it is just a phone with no distractions typically associated with smartphones.

A highlight of the LoFone is that it would run a custom OS still under development. So, this would come across as something completely different than the usual Android stuff we have experienced in this space. The said OS, however, can run Android apps but in a limited capacity. Also, given that the stated design goal of the phone is to minimize distractions, it won’t have a browser or social media apps, and access to news will also be restricted.

Apart from this, the LoFone will also come with a user-replaceable case and battery. Users might even be able to 3D print their cases as well. A camera will also be included, though users won’t be provided with a live preview just to make shooting less enticing. Other features it would come with include a torch and a headphone jack. There is going to be an action button available that users will be able to use to assign specific actions. This makes the LoFone suitable for all age groups, particularly kids or older people.

As for its availability, there is no word yet when it can be expected to hit the streets. Those who are excited about the concept can register their interest in the company website. As for its competition, there are the likes of Minimal, Offone, Light III, and Mudita Pure, all claiming to offer an essential phone experience with none of the addictions typically associated with a smartphone. The LoFone will be different in that it will be featuring a Kaleido 3 display.

It will be interesting to see when the LoFone comes across, though we would expect it to arrive soon enough.