[janice1999]

Shipping Jan 2025, normally $799 retail (does not include tax or shipping).

For a phone that's almost certainly running Android under the hood, not having the ability to install Signal or Messenger or anything else just makes it dead on arrival imho.

[teitoklien]

> install Signal or Messenger or anything else just makes it dead on arrival imho.

? , that’s literally the selling point, that you cant install those things in this phone duh. Besides, they know what they are doing, they sell pretty well too. They churn out enough of these each year, that foxconn handles their manufacturing for this unit. They must be selling decent numbers in that case.

[janice1999]

I understand the appeal of minimalism but in reality most people use messaging applications. Cutting them off from their existing networks is not a viable plan in my opinion. The developers even recognise this in their FAQ, where after stating they don't support Signal or Messenger they say:

> The Light Phone II can also used as a complement to your existing smartphone, for taking a break and going light, either by swapping your SIM between devices, or by getting a second phone number for the Light Phone II.

How many people will pay 800 dollars for a less functional version of a product they already own?

[abdullahkhalids]

Personally, my phone is just a tool to use WhatsApp/Signal. 95% of the people I contact via call or message, I do so via WhatsApp/Signal. The remaining 5% are banks or businesses.

I understand the appeal for a simple phone, but this one won't work for people like me.

[teitoklien]

This is tbh, not for people like you. It’s for people who face severe smartphone addiction and social media and youtube usage, and cannot help themselves curb the habit of doom scrolling away their entire day on Phone.

The fact that you, already just use your phone for bare essentials and nothing else. Means, normal smartphones are the best for you. Think of this more like a re-hab pill for addicts :) , normal people dont take rehab meds. This is for people who are facing severe addiction.

I went through that phase several years ago, had to destroy my phone, and went without any phone for 6 months, relied on people to call me only via my computer over VoIP when i was on PC. Picked up a smartphone again once i was finally mentally free.

[etrautmann]

I think there are an enormous number of people who would differentiate between social media like Instagram and messaging apps like WhatsApp. It seems reasonable to me for a minimalism focused phone to still support messaging but not X, Insta, LinkedIn, Threads, etc.

[beretguy]

There is a difference between minimalism and handicapping. If your device is too handicapped I won’t pay $800 for it.