Introduction to the Light Phone III

The company behind the creation of a pair of minimalist handsets, Light, has recently announced the release of the Light Phone III. This device is perfect for individuals who are looking to escape the distractions of modern smartphones, including the tendency to doomscroll and the abundance of flawed AI tools.

Key Features of the Light Phone III

The Light Phone III boasts a sleek black-and-white OLED display, a new design element that differentiates it from its predecessors, which featured e-paper screens. The primary appeal of this phone, however, lies not in what it offers, but in what it lacks. Notably, it does not support third-party apps, nor does it provide access to social media, the internet, or email. Its primary function is to serve as a phone.

Embedded Features

Although the Light Phone III has a minimalist approach, it is not entirely bare. It comes equipped with an embedded NFC chip for making payments, a basic music player, a podcast player, a messaging app, a flashlight, voice notes, a calendar, a timer, and an alarm. Additionally, it features a simple camera system inspired by point-and-shoot models, complete with a two-step shutter button, center focus, and a fixed focal length, which the company describes as “genuinely fun.”

Navigation and Privacy

The Light Phone III also includes a navigation app, which is likely one of the most useful features found in modern smartphones, but with an important twist. The company has secured private access to navigational information, meaning that Here, the mapping platform powering the app, has no visibility into the user’s location or search history.

Technical Specifications

Other notable specifications of the Light Phone III include 6GB of RAM, a significant upgrade from the 1GB found in the Light Phone II, 128GB of memory, and a newer Qualcomm chip. It also features a fingerprint ID on the power button, a USB-C port, and loudspeakers at the bottom. The battery is user-replaceable, a considerable advantage. The device itself is larger than its predecessors but is designed to be cute and easy to handle, with a width similar to that of a modern iPhone but much shorter, facilitating easy texting while held vertically.

Pricing and Availability

There is, however, a downside to the Light Phone III: it comes with a price tag of $799, which is considerably higher than its second-generation counterpart, albeit with significantly enhanced capabilities. For now, it is possible to pre-order the device at a lower price of $599, though the duration of this offer is uncertain.

Update

As of March 27, 2025, this story has been updated to reflect that the Light Phone navigation app utilizes Here for mapping, not Google. Additionally, it has been confirmed that the pre-order price of $599 remains available, at least for the time being.