Say hello to the NichePhone-S, a credit card-sized Android smartphone from Japanese tech firm FutureModel.
Looking a little like a basic Casio calculator, the tiny handset has 3G connectivity, offers Bluetooth tethering, alongside expected calls and text support according to Engadget Japan.
The NichePhone-S has a physical number pad that takes up most of the phone’s compact dimensions, while a small monochromatic display occupies the top third of the handset.
At 6.5mm thick, the phone can be squeezed into a wallet; this slimness means it needs an adapter to charge the battery as micro USB and USB Type-C ports are too large to fit into the chassis.
Details about the phone’s specifications are thin on the ground, such as the version of Android the tiny phone will be able to run.
But it would appear that the NichePhone-S has been designed as a semi-smart smartphone for people who either don’t want all the bells and whistles that come with an iPhone X or Pixel 2, or are after a cheap and compact backup phone for emergencies.
It could also be a handy phone for people who travel a lot and only want a basic phone to carry around when going on adventures.
Priced at around 10000 Yen, the NichePhone-S is around $95/£72, which puts it in the same ballpark as the cheapest fully smart Android handsets.
But it could be argued those handsets lack the compact charm of the NichePhone-S, which goes on sale in Japan on November 10.
Related: Best budget Android phones
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
