The Sidephone is a new stylish dumb phone with a swappable keypad and up to 8 days of battery

[Redaktion]

Sidephone is a $249 distraction-free dumb phone with a swappable keypad, Android OS, touchscreen, and basic apps like WhatsApp, Apple Music, and Maps. Launch expected in 2025 with pre-orders opening soon.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/The-Sidephone-is-a-new-stylish-dumb-phone-with-a-swappable-keypad-and-up-to-8-days-of-battery.1006206.0.html

[Joe Smart]

If they want this dumb phone to be useful in the United States they need to switch to a 5G modem.  Of the three major carriers in the United States T-Mobile is the only one that is unlocked phone friendly but T-Mobile has gone all-in on 5G to the extent that a 4G only phone is borderline useless and won't provide reliable service.  T-Mobile eliminated it's 2G and 3G networks to convert the bandwidth to 5G but also uses most of its 4G bands to provide 5G speeds for phones and home Internet via band aggregation.  That means even though the 4G bands still exist 4G only phones can't connect to them since home Internet customers and 5G phones have higher network priority.  In some service areas all 4G only phones have only a single band available to connect to which causes dropped calls and erratic signal quality. 

[Morganb]

What in the world would a dumb phone need a battery-draining 5G high-speed connection for? LTE is plenty fast and uses a lot less battery.

[Sideshow Bob]

If they want this dumb phone to be useful in the United States they need to switch to a 5G modem.  Of the three major carriers in the United States T-Mobile is the only one that is unlocked phone friendly but T-Mobile has gone all-in on 5G to the extent that a 4G only phone is borderline useless and won't provide reliable service.  T-Mobile eliminated it's 2G and 3G networks to convert the bandwidth to 5G but also uses most of its 4G bands to provide 5G speeds for phones and home Internet via band aggregation.  That means even though the 4G bands still exist 4G only phones can't connect to them since home Internet customers and 5G phones have higher network priority.  In some service areas all 4G only phones have only a single band available to connect to which causes dropped calls and erratic signal quality. 

This is absolutely correct,anyone that lives in a major city has this experience with 4G LTE from T-Mobile. Traveling between Orlando, Ocala and Jax you'll easily experience slow speeds during rush/busy hours with LTE. Chicago... etc it's all the same with T-Mobile's premium plans.

[Anthony]

Among other things, include HD Voice, RCS support, Google Contacts sync.

[Bob the Circus Freak]

I had one of these.

In 1997.

Only took us about three decades to go full circle.

[Xeno]

After reading comments
...my view.
1. Issue of made for 4g is wrong is valid..it shoukd be made for 5g..but whatvis not valid is to say it's because the US market has only one telco still supporting 4G. The reality is with recent Tax issues no one is willing to even consider the sale for the US market.
2. The swappable keypad is not something tha is intriguing as the one part tha is of greater issue for replacement is THE SCREEN not the keypad which could be incorporated int the screen itself.but than it's not a flip phone!..so when designers decide on swappable parts...there should be ranking of what is needed most..maybe keypad but thavis not a priority..maybe even more than keypad is easy battery changes..without stuck on batteries that Nearly almost always having to open the back struggling with adhesive tapes to hold batteries as if it's would jumonand run off from a sealed back!!