--- source_url: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LightOS?utm_source=openai" title: Light Phone - Wikipedia mirrored_at: 2026-08-28T01:00:58.535Z host: en.wikipedia.org cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LightOS__q__utm_source_openai" --- > **Original source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LightOS?utm_source=openai From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Light Phone Inc. Type [Private](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privately_held_company "Privately held company") Industry Electronics (B2C) Founded September 15, 2014; 11 years ago Founder - [Joe Hollier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hollier?action=edit&redlink=1 "Joe Hollier (page does not exist)") - [Kaiwei Tang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiwei_Tang?action=edit&redlink=1 "Kaiwei Tang (page does not exist)") Headquarters [Brooklyn](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn "Brooklyn"), [New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_\(state\) "New York (state)") Key people - [Kaiwei Tang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiwei_Tang?action=edit&redlink=1 "Kaiwei Tang (page does not exist)") ([CEO](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_executive_officer "Chief executive officer")) - [Joe Hollier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hollier?action=edit&redlink=1 "Joe Hollier (page does not exist)") (President) - [Eileen Bayers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eileen_Bayers?action=edit&redlink=1 "Eileen Bayers (page does not exist)") (VP of Operations and Finance) - Tim Kendall (Investor & Board Member) Products - [Light Phone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Phone_\(1st_generation\) "Light Phone (1st generation)") - [Light Phone II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Phone_II "Light Phone II") - [Light Phone III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Phone_III "Light Phone III") [Total assets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset "Asset") - US$152,453.00 (2018) - US$722,218.00 (2017) Number of employees - 12 (2024) - 4 (2018) Website [thelightphone.com](https://thelightphone.com/) **Footnotes** [\[1\]](#cite_note-1) [\[2\]](#cite_note-2) The **Light Phone** is a brand of [minimalist mobile phones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimalist_mobile_phone "Minimalist mobile phone") by The Light Phone, Inc., a startup company in [Brooklyn, New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn "Brooklyn"), founded by Joe Hollier and Kaiwei Tang, which creates technology products advertised as "designed to be used as little as possible".[\[3\]](#cite_note-3) The first model, the [Light Phone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Phone_\(1st_generation\) "Light Phone (1st generation)"), was released in 2015 as a minimalist "dumb phone" focused solely on calls. It was followed by the [Light Phone II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Phone_II "Light Phone II") in 2019, which added texting, alarms, and a few essential tools. In 2024, the [Light Phone III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Phone_III "Light Phone III") was introduced, featuring a black-and-white OLED screen, improved battery life, and a physical keypad and scroll wheel. The Light Phone series was conceived as a reaction against [problematic smartphone use](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problematic_smartphone_use "Problematic smartphone use"), with the discussion of apps and services such as [email](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Email "Email"), [social media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media "Social media"), and [web browsers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_browser "Web browser") being a key focus of the brand's production and marketing.[\[4\]](#cite_note-:0-4) The Light Phone (1st generation) The [Light Phone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Phone_\(1st_generation\) "Light Phone (1st generation)") was announced on May 13, 2015, via [Kickstarter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickstarter "Kickstarter"), and released in April 2017. During its campaign, the Light Phone raised $415,127 from 3,187 backers, over double the initial goal of $200,000.[\[4\]](#cite_note-:0-4) ### Features and specifications \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Light_Phone&action=edit§ion=3 "Edit section: Features and specifications")\] The Light Phone is only capable of making and receiving phone calls and stores up to 10 [speed dial numbers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_dial "Speed dial"). Upon launch, it came with a prepaid [2G](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2G "2G") [SIM card](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIM_card "SIM card") with 500 minutes of call time, assigned to a separate phone number. The Light Phone comes with no applications aside from basic call functionality.[\[5\]](#cite_note-5) The Light Phone features a small two-tone analog-digital display and a [headphone jack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_connector_\(audio\) "Phone connector (audio)") to assist with phone calls. Buttons on the phone are made visible by light fixtures inside the phone case. There used to be a smartphone application allowing for redirection of calls from the user's smartphone to the Light Phone, displaying contact names if any are found. This app is no longer accessible, and the dedicated page was removed from the Light Phone website.[\[6\]](#cite_note-6) Photo of the Light Phone II (2023) The [Light Phone II](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Phone_II "Light Phone II") was announced in March 2018. It was designed to be a standalone mobile phone, unlike its predecessor.[\[7\]](#cite_note-7) The project was [crowdfunded](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdfunded "Crowdfunded"), raising $3,513,838 by 10,732 backers, and eventually shipped in September 2019.[\[8\]](#cite_note-8) ### Features and specifications \[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Light_Phone&action=edit§ion=6 "Edit section: Features and specifications")\] The Light Phone II comes in two colors, light grey and black, and has a 2.84-inch two-color [e-ink](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_paper "Electronic paper") display. It can connect via [Bluetooth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth "Bluetooth"), a [headphone jack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphone_Jack "Headphone Jack"), [cellular](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_network "Cellular network"), or [micro USB](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micro_USB "Micro USB"). It supports [4G](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G "4G"), since 2G is no longer widely supported. It can send and receive texts and calls, hold significantly more contacts, set alarms, play [music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music "Music") and [podcasts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast "Podcast"), and run a Wi-Fi [hotspot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotspot_\(Wi-Fi\) "Hotspot (Wi-Fi)"). The phone's software is continuously being developed by Light, which has led to new tools such as a [calendar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendaring_software "Calendaring software"), [directions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_planner "Journey planner"), [directory](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directory_assistance "Directory assistance"), and [notes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Note-taking#Electronic_note-taking_methods "Note-taking") tool.[\[9\]](#cite_note-:1-9) The phone's tools are managed through an online dashboard. On October 30, 2023, [pgLang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGLang "PGLang") announced via a short video on their [X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter "Twitter") and [Instagram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instagram "Instagram") accounts that they had collaborated with The Light Phone to create a limited-edition "pgLang" branded version of the phone. The run of 250 phones was released on pgLang's website November 2, 2023. In addition to the phones new branding, they are also come with a [Magic 8-ball](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_8_Ball "Magic 8 Ball")\-inspired fortune-telling feature which will respond to yes-or-no questions after the phone has been shaken.[\[10\]](#cite_note-10) The Light Phone III The [Light Phone III](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_Phone_III "Light Phone III") was announced for pre-orders on June 11, 2024 [\[11\]](#cite_note-11) with the first units eventually shipping on March 27, 2025.[\[12\]](#cite_note-12) This is the first time they've announced a new phone without a crowdfunding model. Unlike the previous version of the phone, the Light Phone III has an [AMOLED](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMOLED "AMOLED") display instead of e-ink. It also has both a front and back facing camera with a dedicated shutter button. The price of the phone is double the cost of the previous model.[\[13\]](#cite_note-13) The Light Flip is a [clamshell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clamshell_design "Clamshell design") [minimalist mobile phone](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimalist_mobile_phone "Minimalist mobile phone") produced by Light Phone. It will be released to the public in April 2027.[\[14\]](#cite_note-14)[\[15\]](#cite_note-15) The Light Phone II & The Light Phone III run an [Android](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_\(operating_system\) "Android (operating system)")\-based operating system called LightOS, developed by The Light Phone, Inc. Consumers have found ways to [jailbreak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JailBreak_\(Android\) "JailBreak (Android)") it to access Android.[\[16\]](#cite_note-16) In future iterations of LightOS, more features and services are in consideration to be added, including [music streaming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_streaming_service "Music streaming service"), [WhatsApp](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WhatsApp "WhatsApp"), and [ridesharing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridesharing_company "Ridesharing company").[\[9\]](#cite_note-:1-9) LightOS is built on the [Android Open Source Project](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Open_Source_Project "Android Open Source Project") (AOSP) foundation. Specifically, the version running on the Light Phone II was forked from [Android 8.1 Oreo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_version_history#Android_8.1 "Android version history"), as that was the base OS provided for the phone's [Qualcomm MSM8909](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_devices_using_Qualcomm_Snapdragon_systems_on_chips#Snapdragon_200_\(2013\) "List of devices using Qualcomm Snapdragon systems on chips") chipset (Snapdragon 210). On top of the [Android kernel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_kernel "Linux kernel") and drivers, they implemented the user interface and native applications using React Native – a [JavaScript](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JavaScript "JavaScript") [web framework](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_framework "Web framework") typically used for [cross-platform](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-platform_software "Cross-platform software") [app development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/App_development "App development"). LightOS was developed in collaboration with the design agency Sanctuary Computer Inc., which joined Light in early 2018 to create the phone’s [software stack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_stack "Software stack"). According to its developers, LightOS is the first [operating system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system "Operating system") to embed a React Native application as the core UI [launcher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Android_launchers "List of Android launchers"). The system is intentionally streamlined and designed to be used "as little as possible", providing only basic tools and eschewing the expansive app ecosystems of standard [smartphones](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone "Smartphone"). LightOS aims to offer only essential phone functions in order to reduce distractions and encourage intentional use of technology.[\[17\]](#cite_note-17) The Light Phone II and III running LightOS can perform core tasks like calls and [SMS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS "SMS") texting, along with a handful of additional features referred to as "tools" rather than apps. The operating system does not support an app store or any third-party apps as of 2025, and it omits services like [web browsing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_browsing "Web browsing"), [email](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Email "Email") and [social media](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media "Social media") entirely.[\[18\]](#cite_note-vergecast-light3-18)[\[19\]](#cite_note-19) The company announced in April 2026 that it would release a [software development kit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_development_kit "Software development kit") for LightOS in the summer and allow users to create 'Tools' that could be shared with other users after being vetted.[\[20\]](#cite_note-20)[\[21\]](#cite_note-:02-21) Light is also building more Tools itself including one to allow users to use [Signal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_\(software\) "Signal (software)").[\[21\]](#cite_note-:02-21) 1. [↑](#cite_ref-1) ["2018 Annual Report (Form Form C-AR)"](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1710903/000171090318000001/LightPhoneFormCAR.pdf) (PDF). [U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Securities_and_Exchange_Commission "U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission"). November 3, 2023. 2. [↑](#cite_ref-2) ["The Light Phone Company Profile"](https://www.pitchbook.com/profiles/company/120134-62). PitchBook. November 9, 2023. 3. [↑](#cite_ref-3) ["The Light Phone"](https://www.thelightphone.com/about-us). _www.thelightphone.com_. Retrieved March 5, 2022. 4. [1](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [2](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) Zelenko, Michael (September 4, 2019). ["Light Phone 2: The high hopes of the low-tech phone"](https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/4/20847717/light-phone-2-minimalist-features-design-keyboard-crowdfunding). _The Verge_. Retrieved March 5, 2022. 5. [↑](#cite_ref-5) ["The Light Phone: minimalist phone designed to be used as little as possible"](https://www.dezeen.com/2017/05/06/minimalist-light-phone-design-used-little-as-possible-mobile-technology/). _Dezeen_. May 6, 2017. 6. [↑](#cite_ref-6) Franco, Michael (May 20, 2015). ["This credit-card-size phone does one thing, and one thing only"](https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/credit-card-sized-light-phone-does-one-thing-and-one-thing-only/). _CNET_. Retrieved March 6, 2022. 7. [↑](#cite_ref-7) ["The Light Phone"](https://www.thelightphone.com/). _www.thelightphone.com_. Retrieved March 20, 2021. 8. [↑](#cite_ref-8) Varghese, Daniel. ["Can This New Dumb Phone Fix Your Smartphone Addiction?"](https://www.gq.com/story/light-phone-2-review). _GQ_. 9. [1](#cite_ref-:1_9-0) [2](#cite_ref-:1_9-1) ["Tool Availability Status"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210816181402/https://support.thelightphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360031128671-Tool-Availability-Status). _The Light Phone_. Archived from [the original](https://support.thelightphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360031128671-Tool-Availability-Status) on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021. 10. [↑](#cite_ref-10) Diaz, Nickolas (October 30, 2023). ["Kendrick Lamar's pgLang drops a limited-edition phone for minimalists"](https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/pglang-kendrick-lamar-light-phone-debut). _Android Central_. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231101183448/https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/pglang-kendrick-lamar-light-phone-debut) from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023. 11. [↑](#cite_ref-11) ["The Light Phone"](https://www.thelightphone.com/blog/introducing-the-light-phone-iii). _www.thelightphone.com_. Retrieved March 28, 2025. 12. [↑](#cite_ref-12) ["The Light Phone"](https://www.thelightphone.com/blog/beta-testing-and-mass-production-kickoff). _www.thelightphone.com_. Retrieved March 28, 2025. 13. [↑](#cite_ref-13) Pierce, David (June 11, 2024). ["The Light Phone 3 is a little less light — but a lot more useful"](https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/11/24176026/light-phone-3-launch-price-release-date). _The Verge_. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240611153033/https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/11/24176026/light-phone-3-launch-price-release-date) from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024. 14. [↑](#cite_ref-14) Chokkattu, Julian (July 21, 2026). ["The Light Flip Is the Stylish Dumb Flip Phone of Your Dreams"](https://www.wired.com/story/light-flip-is-the-modern-stylish-dumb-flip-phone-of-your-luddite-dreams/) – via www.wired.com. 15. [↑](#cite_ref-15) Silberling, Amanda (July 21, 2026). ["Light made a flip phone — it's colorful and it's cheap"](https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/21/light-is-modernizing-the-flip-phone-with-light-flip/). 16. [↑](#cite_ref-16) [_Tutorial: Android for the Light Phone 2_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOXGuFKQ0_E), retrieved March 22, 2021 17. [↑](#cite_ref-17) Hart, Jordan (March 27, 2025). ["I tried out a premium 'dumb' phone that costs more than a new iPhone. Here's how its camera shapes up"](https://www.businessinsider.com/tried-dumb-phone-costs-more-than-new-iphone-light-3-2025-3). _Business Insider_. Retrieved July 17, 2025. 18. [↑](#cite_ref-vergecast-light3_18-0) Patel, Nilay (April 1, 2025). ["The Light Phone III and the search for the perfect minimalist smartphone"](https://www.theverge.com/the-vergecast/640475/minimalist-smartphone-tesla-takedown-vergecast). _The Verge_. Retrieved March 2, 2026. 19. [↑](#cite_ref-19) Nelius, Joanna (April 26, 2024). ["One year with the Light Phone 2 – This 'dumb phone' didn't completely replace my smartphone, but it did change my life"](https://www.theverge.com/24140675/light-phone-2-one-year-retrospect). _The Verge_. Vox Media. Retrieved July 17, 2025. 20. [↑](#cite_ref-20) Ingraham, Nathan (April 30, 2026). ["The minimalist Light Phone III will soon support a curated set of third-party apps"](https://www.engadget.com/2161468/the-minimalist-light-phone-iii-will-soon-support-a-curated-set-of-third-party-apps/). _Engadget_. Retrieved May 3, 2026. 21. [1](#cite_ref-:02_21-0) [2](#cite_ref-:02_21-1) Chokkattu, Julian (April 30, 2026). ["Light Phone Is Making Its Dumb Phone More Useful With Third-Party 'Tools'"](https://www.wired.com/story/exclusive-light-phone-developer-kit/). _Wired_. [ISSN](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISSN_\(identifier\) "ISSN (identifier)") [1059-1028](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1059-1028). Retrieved May 3, 2026. - [The Light Phone](https://www.thelightphone.com/) - [Light Phone 2 – A phone that actually respects you. (Indiegogo Video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-jamNT9CkY)