The Sidephone SP‑01 — a candybar‑style “premium dumb phone” with a fully swappable keypad — has quietly become one of the most interesting mobile launches going into 2026. As of today, US pre‑orders are live for $249, with the first batch of devices scheduled to ship in January 2026. [1]
At first glance, it looks like a modernized Nokia: a small touchscreen on top and a physical number pad below. But that keypad is actually a magnetic module that can be popped out and replaced with other tiles, like a circular “Sundial” media controller or an upcoming QWERTY board. [2]
Here’s what’s new today, how the modular keypad system works, and why Sidephone is suddenly everywhere in the minimalist phone scene.
What is the Sidephone SP‑01?
Sidephone SP‑01 is a compact 4G handset that tries to sit between classic feature phones and full‑blown smartphones. It runs a customized version of Android, but the experience has been stripped back to focus on calls, SMS, music, maps, and a curated set of essential apps rather than endless social feeds. [3]
Visually, it’s a candybar design:
- 2.8‑inch touchscreen with a 480 × 640 resolution
- Quad‑core ARM Cortex‑A53 SoC (MediaTek MT8766)
- 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage
- 12 MP rear camera
- 1,800 mAh battery, rated for several days of light use and up to around eight days if you stick mostly to calls and texts [4]
From the front it looks like a feature phone, but the OS underneath really is Android. That means apps are still possible — Sidephone just tries very hard not to make them the center of your life.
Today’s news: US pre‑orders open, January 2026 ship window
This week has turned Sidephone from a niche subreddit darling into a broader news story.
- Liliputing reported yesterday that Sidephone is now taking US pre‑orders at $249, with shipping currently estimated for January 2026. Once the phone is generally available, the price is expected to rise to $299, plus extra cost for additional keypad tiles. [5]
- TechEBlog followed up today (November 21) with a feature confirming that US customers can now place pre‑orders for the SP‑01 at $249, describing it as a modular smartphone that “lets you quickly swap keys.” [6]
- TrendHunter published its own piece today framing the Sidephone SP‑01 as a “swappable keypad cellphone” that leans into candybar nostalgia and minimalist smartphone alternatives, again highlighting a January 2026 launch window. [7]
Sidephone’s own site positions this as the SP‑01 Founders Edition, with devices shipping in January 2026, free shipping on orders over $299 in the continental US, a one‑year hardware warranty, and a 30‑day return policy after delivery. [8]
According to TechEBlog and Notebookcheck, pre‑orders are being handled in phases via personalized links, with the first 1,000 units reserved for early wait‑list sign‑ups and each link active for 48 hours before it’s passed to the next in line. [9]
Swappable keypads: T9, Sundial media wheel and an upcoming QWERTY tile
The modular keypad system is what makes Sidephone stand out in a sea of glass slabs.
Default numeric keypad (T9)
The phone ships with a classic numeric keypad module that supports T9 predictive text, just like older candybar phones. [10]
Keys can be remapped at the software level, letting you assign shortcuts to apps such as the camera or clock. This is central to Sidephone’s philosophy: the keypad isn’t just for typing, it’s a grid of customizable hardware buttons that can launch whatever you actually use.
Sundial keypad: iPod‑style media control (but with buttons)
The first optional module is Sundial, a $29 accessory that visually resembles an old iPod scroll wheel. In reality it’s a 9‑button circle under a smooth cover rather than a capacitive wheel. [11]
By default:
- Center button: play/pause
- Left / right / top / bottom: previous track, next track, volume up, volume down
- Corner buttons: shortcuts to core apps like phone, messages, camera, or clock
Every button on Sundial can also be re‑programmed, so you could, for example, map corners to your podcast app, a local music player, or a notes app instead. Sundial is scheduled to ship alongside the phone in January 2026, the same timeframe as the first SP‑01 units. [12]
QWERTY tile: a BlackBerry‑inspired option
A promotional image spotted earlier this month shows an upcoming QWERTY keypad tile that borrows the compressed layout of BlackBerry’s old SureType keyboards. [13]
- Multiple letters share each key
- Predictive text in software helps guess the intended word
- The module matches the phone’s color, hinting at mix‑and‑match personalization
Liliputing notes that Sidephone tentatively targets March 2026 for the QWERTY module but explicitly advises buyers to make decisions based on modules that are already confirmed, not promises. [14]
Sidephone has also hinted at other future tiles — potentially gaming‑focused controls or other specialized layouts — but these are still conceptual rather than announced hardware.
Hardware and software: a distraction‑focused Android phone
Under the swappable face, Sidephone SP‑01 is a very modest Android device on purpose.
Key specs
Drawing from Sidephone’s official specs and multiple independent reports, this is the current picture: [15]
- Display: 2.8″ IPS, 480 × 640, touch‑enabled
- Processor: MediaTek MT8766, quad‑core ARM Cortex‑A53 with Imagination GE8300 GPU
- RAM / storage: 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage
- Camera: 12 MP rear camera (no emphasis on heavy imaging features)
- Battery: 1,800 mAh
- Connectivity: 4G LTE, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, USB‑C
Notebookcheck and Sidephone both emphasize endurance: thanks to the small display and low‑power chip, the SP‑01 can stretch its 1,800 mAh battery to several days of light use, and up to roughly eight days if you primarily call and text. [16]
A repurposed Android OS with fewer temptations
On the software side, Sidephone uses a customized Android build. A demo shared in August showed an interface that still looks like Android — familiar lock screen, notification shade, and home screen — but with a much more limited app roster and no Google bloat. [17]
Key points:
- No Google Play Store, no Google Mobile Services (GMS) by default
- A Sidephone app repository with a tightly curated list of tools (phone, SMS, camera, gallery, clock, files, etc.)
- Optional apps like WhatsApp, maps, browser, music players, podcasts, password managers, Proton Mail, VPN and others, all pre‑vetted for compatibility with the small display [18]
- You can sideload Android apps, but many mainstream apps won’t behave well on a 2.8‑inch screen, and those that depend on Google’s Play Integrity or GMS may fail entirely [19]
Notably, Sidephone’s own documentation spells out some of the trade‑offs:
- No RCS messaging (SMS and MMS only) [20]
- No IP rating or waterproofing
- No barometer, and no carrier certification; in the US it’s expected to work on AT&T and T‑Mobile LTE bands but not on Verizon [21]
Sidephone leans into transparency here, publishing a long list of limitations on Reddit and on its site so potential buyers understand that this is not a flagship replacement, but a lifestyle choice. [22]
Part of a bigger 2025 “premium dumb phone” movement
Sidephone is launching into a small but fast‑growing niche: people who are happy to spend good money on a phone that does less, but does it with intention and style.
- Notebookcheck has repeatedly framed the SP‑01 as a “premium dumb phone” aimed at users who want essential apps like WhatsApp and maps without full smartphone overload. [23]
- TrendHunter’s analysis today places the SP‑01 in the broader trend of minimalist mobile devices, pointing to rising demand for distraction‑free communication tools that still feel modern and chic. [24]
- Even luxury brands such as Vertu have recently highlighted renewed interest in keypad phones for privacy, battery life, and simplicity, name‑checking Sidephone as one of the more innovative examples thanks to its swappable keypads. [25]
At the same time, Sidephone isn’t alone in experimenting with modular keypads. Design‑driven projects like Easco’s customizable flip and bar phones and newer modular “Keyphone” concepts show that there’s fresh energy around physical keys in 2025.
Where Sidephone differs is the combination of:
- A relatively polished Android‑based software stack
- A clear digital‑wellness story
- And a genuinely modular keypad system that can evolve over time
The company also leans heavily on community, with more than 3,000 people already gathered in the r/Sidephone subreddit discussing future tiles, workflows and custom layouts. [26]
Price, availability and who the Sidephone SP‑01 is for
As of November 21, 2025, here’s how things stand:
- Price:
- Availability:
- US pre‑orders open now via invite‑style links sent to wait‑list subscribers
- First 1,000 units prioritized for early sign‑ups, with personalized order links active for 48 hours each [29]
- Devices are expected to ship in January 2026
- Other regions can currently only “enter the queue” via Sidephone’s site to be notified when orders expand beyond the US [30]
- Policies:
- One‑year hardware warranty
- 30‑day return policy after you receive the device
- Free shipping on orders over $299 in the continental US [31]
Who should consider it?
Sidephone SP‑01 is unlikely to replace a modern flagship for most people, but it could be a compelling option if you:
- Want a second phone specifically for focus, travel, or weekends
- Prefer physical buttons to glass for navigation and texting
- Like the idea of custom hardware layouts (media wheel, future QWERTY, or other tiles)
- Are comfortable living without Google Play, RCS, and carrier‑sold hardware
On the other hand, it’s probably not for you if you rely heavily on banking apps tied to Google’s security APIs, need Verizon support in the US, or expect a modern camera and app experience from your primary device. [32]
Outlook
With US pre‑orders now open and the first batch of units due to ship in January, Sidephone SP‑01 is moving from concept to reality. Today’s coverage from Liliputing, TechEBlog and TrendHunter confirms that the modular keypad idea isn’t just a design study — it’s a shipping product with a clear roadmap for new tiles and software refinements. [33]
If Sidephone can deliver on its promises — solid battery life, a stable distraction‑focused OS and genuinely useful keypad modules — it may end up being one of the defining devices of the 2025–26 “less phone, more life” movement.
References
1. liliputing.com, 2. liliputing.com, 3. liliputing.com, 4. liliputing.com, 5. liliputing.com, 6. www.techeblog.com, 7. www.trendhunter.com, 8. www.sidephone.com, 9. www.techeblog.com, 10. liliputing.com, 11. liliputing.com, 12. liliputing.com, 13. www.notebookcheck.net, 14. liliputing.com, 15. liliputing.com, 16. www.notebookcheck.net, 17. liliputing.com, 18. www.sidephone.com, 19. liliputing.com, 20. www.sidephone.com, 21. liliputing.com, 22. liliputing.com, 23. www.notebookcheck.net, 24. www.trendhunter.com, 25. vertu.com, 26. www.reddit.com, 27. liliputing.com, 28. liliputing.com, 29. www.techeblog.com, 30. www.sidephone.com, 31. www.sidephone.com, 32. liliputing.com, 33. liliputing.com
