The Ultimate Minimal Phone
In a Nutshell
MKBHD unboxes the $10.99 Bluey phone by VTEC, a minimalist device with a 1.7-inch black-and-white display, no cell radios, internet, cameras, or Bluetooth, featuring physical buttons, voice-number readout, simple games like bubble-blowing via mic, and chats with Bluey and Bingo characters. It prioritizes extreme minimalism over competitors like Light Phone or Palm, delivering weeks of battery life, fast boot times, and reduced screen addiction at a fraction of the price. A solid, ultra-affordable option for curbing smartphone overuse.
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MKBHD provides hands-on first impressions of the Bluey phone made by VTEC. Discovered it while scrolling top-rated phones on Amazon with incredible ratings. Ordered one for $10.99. Ships exposed in an open-faced cardboard box, which is unique. Getting into the box was unintuitive and difficult, requiring ripping cardboard to access fasteners behind the phone and untwisting them—not premium, but forgivable at this price. No charger or cable included. Rare 2026 phone with removable batteries, but no tool included to open the back and replace them. Comes with enough battery to power on out of the box.
Phone is on the big side, roughly the same size as a Nexus 6, a little smaller. 1.7-inch black and white display. No cell radios, no internet connection, no cameras, exclusively physical buttons, no Bluetooth. Designed as a minimal phone to reduce phone usage. Other minimal phones have huge touch screens, cameras, internet, and apps.
Typing numbers says them out loud instead of making calls: > Six, seven. Rear-facing speaker with three volume levels; grill and opening prevent accidental blocking. Includes games, healthier than doom scrolling TikTok or Instagram. Favorite: blow bubbles by blowing into the microphone. Boots up extremely fast: > Want to play with us? Already on. > now it's your turn. Now it's my turn. > You did it. I did it.
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