The Minimal Phone 2 is shaping up to be a significant upgrade over the company’s first smartphone. The new device has now been officially teased, revealing a smaller design, an OLED display, an improved physical QWERTY keyboard, and 5G connectivity.

The concept of the first Minimal Phone was simple: a smartphone that would help people concentrate instead of being distracted all the time by various applications and social media. The second generation of the smartphone retains this concept while introducing some innovations at the same time.

A Smaller and More Refined Design 

According to The Minimal Company, the Minimal Phone 2 has been under development for a year now, and it represents an improvement in size and design compared to the previous model. The company says it wanted to have a fully working phone before announcing the device rather than simply showing a concept or render.

In terms of design, the minimal phone still features the compact design and physical QWERTY keyboard that was the defining feature of the first Minimal Phone compared to other modern-day smartphones. However, the new model gets a premium aluminum body and will be available in Black and Silver.

Representational image based on an official image | Techgenyz

Furthermore, some elements have changed location. The front-facing camera has been moved above the screen, the SIM tray is on the right, and the volume buttons are on the left.

OLED Display Replaces E Ink 

One of the biggest changes is the display. The original Minimal Phone used an E Ink screen, while the Minimal Phone 2 switches to an OLED panel.

This should enable users to have a more traditional smartphone viewing experience, especially when using animation, images, and any other content that needs to use a fast display.  On the other hand, the change also moves the new phone away from one of the original model’s strongest limitations.

Using an E Ink screen made it difficult for users to watch videos or spend endless time browsing social media. With an OLED panel, the Minimal Phone 2 will be much better suited to those activities.

That may sound like a small change, but it is important because the company’s main goal is still to encourage users to “live more, scroll less.”

The Physical Keyboard Gets an Upgrade 

QWERTY Keyboard is among the prominent features of the Minimal Phone 2. According to the company, the keyboard has been upgraded; however, no specific details regarding the keyboard’s specifications and layout have been provided yet.

Keeping a physical keyboard makes the Minimal Phone 2 stand out in a smartphone market dominated by large touchscreen devices. For users who prefer physical buttons for typing messages and emails, this could be one of the phone’s biggest attractions.

Representational image based on an official image | Techgenyz

In addition, having the keypad ensures the identification of the first Minimal Phone amid the development of other smartphone components.

5G Support and Faster Software 

The Minimal Phone 2 will also feature 5G capability. According to Notebookcheck, the inclusion of 5G technology indicates the need for a different processor from that in the former one. The company has also emphasized better software that will ensure faster operation of the phone.

However, the company has not yet published the complete hardware specifications, so details such as the exact processor, RAM, and storage remain unknown.

This means it is still too early to judge the phone’s overall performance. What is clear is that Minimal is positioning the second-generation model as a faster and more polished device than its predecessor.

Some Familiar Features, Some Changes 

The Minimal Phone 2 continues with a single rear camera and LED flash. The front camera has been moved to a more conventional position above the display. Furthermore, there is no more 3.5mm headphone port in the new version. There is also a button located on top of the phone, but its function remains unclear as of yet.

Representational image based on an official image | TechgenyzWhat We Know So Far

“Coming soon” is the current status of the Minimal Phone 2, while the wait list for interested users is open. The company says people who sign up will receive updates and have an opportunity to order early with early-bird discounts.

As things stand now, the combination of a smaller aluminum body, OLED screen, better QWERTY keyboard, support for 5G networks, and other new features makes the Minimal Phone 2 an interesting alternative to conventional smartphones.

More importantly, it shows that Minimal is not abandoning its original focus on reducing distractions. Rather, the company seems to be trying to implement that idea in a more advanced and recognizable smartphone form.