Can a Phone Help You Use Your Phone Less?

In a world where smartphones aim to be all things at once, a different approach is quietly gaining traction: do less, but do it well. The Light Phone III is the latest iteration of a device built on that principle—a phone not for scrolling, but for stepping back.

Designed for people looking to reduce their screen time without disconnecting entirely, the Light Phone III adds modern upgrades while preserving the company’s core philosophy: technology should serve, not dominate.

A New Kind of Screen

Unlike its e-ink predecessors, the Light Phone III uses a 3.92-inch black-and-white AMOLED display. It’s responsive, sharp, and easier to use in various lighting conditions, but still deliberately minimal. No colors. No animations. Just what you need, when you need it.

The physical design features a matte metal frame, a tactile scroll wheel, and a layout that favors clarity over flash.

Only the Essentials

The phone offers calling, texting, alarm, calendar, navigation, and a basic music and podcast player. There’s no web browser, no social media, no email. The idea isn’t to take away connectivity, but to give users control over what gets their attention.

Tools are added via the Light dashboard—a web platform where users manage features and updates.

What’s New

This model introduces key hardware upgrades:

• 5G Connectivity

• Front and Rear Cameras

• USB-C charging and Fingerprint Sensor

• NFC chip and flashlight

Not all features are active yet; fingerprint ID and NFC are expected to roll out in future updates. But the phone’s core experience remains intentionally restrained.

A Phone for People Who Don’t Want a Smartphone

The Light Phone III doesn’t promise productivity hacks or digital detox miracles. It offers something simpler: a different relationship with your device. For some, that might be enough.