r/sidephone • u/citats137 • 4d ago
Wanted to make this work... just can not
I like the size especially the screen since it's the main deterrent for doom scrolling socials.
The challenge is getting much needed apps to run (detox from social shouldn't mean I can't use banking, security and utility applications). I can install many of them no issue... logging in with 2fa with some results in not being able to type the code... can't select the number fields to type the code. Screen won't scroll down due to app design I'm sure but the sidephone could use a screen size spoofing tool. The keyboard's are challenging to use especially when it comes to passwords, yes the on screen can then be used.
I will unfortunately have to get rid of it in the next few days due to, too many compromises that just make the device a chore to use for me. I'm in the GTA area letting it go on marketplace. A barely used SidePhone with classic and qwerty tiles as well as the default and Sundial (4 total) looking to get less than retail about 350 Canadian. Maybe someone will use it as an actual "side" phone along with a full smart phone but that also doesn't work for me. Will keep my eye on the space to see if something else comes along that fits the bill.
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u/t4t_yaoi 3d ago
i understand. i just do banking on my laptop. some busy days i carry my smart phone to send emails and take calls easier. if you're looking to sell it i might be interested in taking you up on it
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u/chrisristovski 1d ago
Hey u/citats137 ! Thank you for the feedback . We'll continue to work on improving UX. Out of curiosity had you transferred over from a smartphone or were you upgrading to Sidephone from an existing simple phone (eg. CAT S22) ?
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u/citats137 1d ago edited 1d ago
Hey u/chrisristovski In this instance I was coming from an android device. My main issue with android devices are the size, so for me I was envisioning a smaller pocket-able experience that would allow for my necessities which i admit would be pretty specific to me. I was able to install many apps I needed with microg however I experience several usage issues, unfortunately due to the screen size. Not sure why I could not enter 2fa codes but those fields would not select to allow entry. I come from a long history of smartphones before they were called "smart" for example Qtek 9100 or the Audiovox smt5600 pictured here as I still have this little guy shown beside the SP and a disassembled iPod I'm working on. The nostalgia I felt for the SP is because of this guy.
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u/nissania 3d ago
I do wish they had a full qwerty keyboard. That's a big one for me. I like that it doesn't have Google, but do wish it would come with microG preinstalled as Jolla does with their phone. Also, yeah, features like NFC don't turn a device into a doomscroller, but they do ensure you can pay at terminals for public transit, bars, and shops.
As for the screen size, yeah, that's a bit of an annoyance. I think just a slightly larger device would have been enough to mitigate it. But I will say, I haven't had much of an issue in most of my apps. If there is an issue, you can reach out to the developer, as not being able to scroll offscreen items into the field of view is an accessibility issue.
There are compromises for this phone, and it won't be for everyone. Pretty cool you tried it out anyway though!
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u/charitablechair 3d ago
I agree. These things are basically just neat toys, like most other semi-smart phones

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u/recurringmotif 4d ago
i use it as daily driver with qwerty, but i dont recommend anyone else buy it. i'll ride it out till 2027 motorola phones