My Honest Take on the Square-ish Phone
▼ Summary
– The Ikko MindOne Pro is a small phone with a square screen and a flip-up camera that can also be used as a stand or PopSocket.
– A Clicks-style keyboard accessory is available, adding a magnetic ring and a headphone jack.
– The reviewer tried using the phone normally, with a minimalist launcher as a dumb phone, and with and without the keyboard case.
– Despite these efforts, the reviewer concludes the phone is unsuccessful and a “miss.”
– The article’s caption describes the phone as “a great concept that falls flat.”
The Ikko MindOne Pro is charmingly compact. I keep referring to it as a square phone, but that’s not entirely accurate. The display is square, while the device itself has a slight rectangular shape. The camera module flips upward, allowing it to double as a selfie shooter. You can even leave it partially open to function as a stand or a makeshift PopSocket. It also supports a Clicks-style keyboard case that adds a magnetic ring and a headphone jack. I genuinely wanted to love this device, but no matter how you frame it, this phone falls short.
I tried using it as a standard smartphone. I installed a minimalist launcher and attempted to treat it like a basic dumb phone. I attached the keyboard case. I removed it. I tried everything. Nothing clicked.
The execution simply doesn’t match the ambition. The square screen, while novel, makes most apps look cramped or awkwardly scaled. The flippable camera is clever in theory, but the mechanism feels fragile and the image quality is underwhelming. The keyboard case adds bulk without delivering the tactile satisfaction you’d expect. Even the compact size, which initially feels refreshing, becomes a hindrance for typing or watching video.
Ultimately, the Ikko MindOne Pro is a great concept that fails to deliver. It’s a niche device for enthusiasts who value novelty over usability, but for most people, it’s a frustrating experience that doesn’t justify its price or compromises.
(Source: The Verge)
