US orders now open for premium dumb phone, the Sidephone SP-01, with a swappable keyboard
Sidephone, the much-discussed $249 modular dumb phone (now being dubbed SP-01), is now officially accepting orders in the United States. This is a big milestone for the project, which has built a large community following since its initial reveal and progressed through multiple public prototype demonstrations and pre-launch updates.
A "dumb phone" is essentially a stripped-down mobile device for calling, texting, and handling only essential apps - eschewing the endless notifications, social media, and distractions which are pretty common in modern smartphones. The Sidephone is also debuting with just the basics: phone, messaging, camera, and a few select essential apps (like WhatsApp, Apple Music, and Uber). The appeal of dumb phones lies in reclaiming focus and reducing digital fatigue, without losing out on key communication tools.
Order process and timelines
Sidephone is now issuing personalized order links via email (see below) based on the order in which users signed up to the waitlist. Each person will have 48 hours to complete their order before the link is offered to the next person in line. Pre-orders are staged by signup month, with the first groups (October–December 2024 signups) receiving order links from October 13 to 15, 2025, and subsequent groups following through October 21. Estimated fulfillment for US customers is set for late 2025, though the team warns that seasonal shipping cut-offs around Black Friday and Christmas may cause some delays. Customers can cancel orders at any point prior to shipping without any penalty.
Sidephone features and support commitments
The Sidephone is powered by a custom Android OS and comes with a modular, physical swappable keypad with several configurations, including T9 and QWERTY layouts (although not all of them will be available at launch). It’s designed to be user-repairable (with low margins on spare parts) and comes with a 12MP camera, 2.8" touchscreen, support for 4G LTE, and up to eight days of battery life under lighter usage. Essential support programs for US customers include a one-year hardware warranty, direct email support with 48-hour response times, a 30-day return policy, and a knowledge base for repair how-tos. Pre-order cancellations are fully refundable prior to shipping.
Additional notes
- US-focused support and a gradual international rollout are planned
- More keypad "tiles" and accessories will be offered after launch; users can add these to shipments before fulfillment.
- There is a 2-device per-person order limit, and free shipping is available when two Sidephones are ordered together.
- If tariffs on Shenzhen mobile phones exceed 50%, buyers may need to pay an additional amount.
- There will be a special appreciation token in the Founders Edition box for early supporters.
