light phone III comes with point-and-shoot film camera

Point-and-shoot film camera for Light Phone III

Light Phone III features a point-and-shoot film camera and a tactile, clickable wheel to turn on the flashlight. A smartphone for digital detox, the touchscreen device has a large matte OLED display and a custom LightOS system, which makes it have a black and white interface. Its screen is similar to an e-ink display, only monochrome and digital still. The Light Phone III, the recent sibling of its first model, adds a USB-C port, fingerprint ID, a flashlight, a 5G connection, an NFC chip, and a clickable wheel for the torch to the touchscreen device.

Then, there’s the point-and-shoot film camera next to the torch at the back of the Light Phone III. Unlike the cameras in the past, the one in the modern device has a dedicated two-step shutter button with center focus and a fixed focal length. To adjust the focus, users just half-press the button. When they want to take the photo or record a video, they fully press it. The default image output is 12 megapixels (or 4,000px x 3,000px), from a 50-megapixel rear sensor. For selfie fans, there’s also an 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

all images courtesy of Light

clickable wheel to increase and decrease screen brightness

Next to the film camera button of the Light Phone III is the clickable wheel, also used to increase and decrease the screen’s brightness. In a way, it doubles as a fidget toy when the users lock the smartphone. Another design feature of the device is its metal frame. The design team says they want the users to use the device for as long as they can, not just after a year or so. Owners then can unscrew the unit and replace the battery, as well as repair the screen and USB port. For the battery cover and speaker grill, the team uses Sony SORPLAS recycled plastic.

Speaking of the speaker grill on the Light Phone III, it’s at the bottom of the device, visible to allow for better acoustics. There some smartphone features that remain available in the Light Phone III with a film camera. It has GPS, Bluetooth, finger print ID, a noise-canceling microphone, supports voice-to-text, and can be used as a personal hotspot. But some modern features are not present. For example, there’s currently no music streaming app like Spotify. It’s not possible yet to call and message people with platforms like Whatsapp and Signal. Taxi apps aren’t available, either. ‘These features may be possible in future software updates,’ the design team says.

Light Phone III features a point-and-shoot film camera

USB-C port for wired headphones

The Light Phone III team adds that it’s important to remember all of the features it will never have, such as social media, internet browsing, email, news, or ads. So far, the device with a film camera only supports an English keyboard and language. However, users can still view incoming messages in different languages and characters. At the present time, the team is looking into expanding the language support.

Specs-wise, the Light Phone III with a film camera is 5G ready. It has a 3.92-inch AMOLED display, and the screen uses matte glass. The memory supports 128GB of storage and 6GB of RAM. There are two microphones and two stereo speakers. So far, it doesn’t have any expandable memory or headphone jack. However, the USB-C port can be used for wired headphones. The shipping of the Light Phone III with a film camera begins in March 2025 for those who have placed their pre-orders. For the rest, they receive their unit from June 2025.

the device has GPS, Bluetooth, finger print ID, and a noise-canceling microphone