Sidephone: New dumb phone update confirms June-July pre-orders and global plans

The Sidephone - a $249 retro-styled dumb phone with a swappable keypad - now has a tentative launch window, according to a new update from the team on Reddit. After initially revealing the production design just under two weeks ago, the developers have now confirmed that pre-orders are expected to begin around June or July, with the first 1,000 units shipping by August or September.

The company says interest has spiked dramatically since their reveal, with over 100,000 people having heard about the project and more than 10,000 users signing up to the waitlist. To keep up with the momentum, the team clarified that this first batch is entirely bootstrapped and funded out-of-pocket. However, they’re considering partnering with an agency to handle commercialization. This move can bring pre-orders forward even earlier.

We previously covered the Sidephone’s unique design and hardware features, including its magnetic keypad system that allows users to snap on different layouts - like a full numeric pad, a grid-style interface, or a minimal layout with fewer buttons. A touchscreen, 12MP rear camera, and support for essential apps like WhatsApp and Apple Music round out its feature set. The device is powered by a custom Android OS and is aimed at users looking to scale back from traditional smartphones without giving up connectivity.

In a follow-up interaction, developer Chris Ristovski confirmed that while the battery will be repairable, it won’t be easily swappable. He also addressed some network concerns, stating that Sidephone is currently undergoing certification with Verizon and T-Mobile for 4G - with no issues raised so far. He pointed out that 4G is better understood, less prone to operator-side updates, and more power-efficient compared to 5G, making it the more practical choice for this particular device.

The team is also reviewing tile designs and plans to showcase the most popular layouts soon. If all goes to plan, the Sidephone may see its first working public prototypes within the next few months.

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