LIGHT ANNOUNCES $299 FLIP PHONE WITH NO APPS

Light, a Brooklyn-based phone manufacturer, has announced the Light Flip, a minimalist flip phone priced at $299. The device combines a retro flip phone form factor with the minimalist design philosophy of Light's existing Light Phone III. Unlike modern foldable phones, the Light Flip contains no touchscreen and uses a 12-button keypad with T9 texting functionality, along with three function buttons, a four-way directional button and side-mounted home and volume controls.

The Light Flip features a 50-megapixel rear camera that outputs 12-megapixel images and a removable battery accessible via a screw-down plate. The device lacks an external display when closed; instead it has a notification light. The interface uses white text on a black background, presenting a list of basic tools rather than traditional smartphone applications. The phone is manufactured from plastic, unlike the aluminium Light Phone III, and will be available in six colour options. The device includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port and a speaker.

Light is bundling the Light Flip with a phone service plan for $39 per month over two years, providing unlimited voice and text alongside 1GB of monthly data. The company is also offering a nine-month programme called "Flip Your Life" designed to help users transition from smartphones. This marks the first time Light has sold a phone bundled with its own service plan, positioning the device as a complete package for customers seeking to reduce their smartphone usage.