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Recent Reviews
The World’s Simplest Mobile Phone Will Soon Be Available in Malaysia
Posted:
February 3, 2012
By: ccsoya
15 comments
Single-core, dual-core, quad-core, AMOLED, Super AMOLED, Retina Display, NFC, blah blah blah…sometimes all these fancy tech make life complicated. For those who yearn for a much simpler time when a phone was a phone and a tablet was a stone, this device could be just what the doctor ordered.
Say hello once again to John’s Phone. We posted about John’s Phone a couple of years back. It’s an interesting concept. John Doe Amsterdam, the dude that created the phone, claims that the device is the world’s simplest mobile phone. If by simple he means bare-bones, then yea, this sits right up there on the list of simple mobile phones.
John’s Phone does only two things. Make and receive calls. Actually, technically, that’s only one thing. With John’s Phone you don’t get a camera, there’s no OS, no fancy touchscreen and no contact organiser, you can’t even text with the device.
With John’s Phone you get a simple LCD which shows incoming and outgoing numbers and battery status. The phone has a special compartment that stores a specially designed pen and phone book for you to jot down phone numbers. There’s also a speed dial function for 10 of your frequently called numbers.
The John’s Phone is a quirk in today’s world of high-tech smartphones but it’s a quirk that has charm because sometimes all you need is just a phone. School kids (the really young ones) and some adults (the really old ones) might find John’s Phone to be exactly what they’re looking for.
In any case, if you’re keen, John’s Phone is on pre-order now at this local online store called GeekZen. The device retails for RM350 (excluding delivery charges) with three colours to choose from. Head over here to pre-order.
Update: Commenter Ajay says that you can get a decent feature phone for much less, about RM250 less and he has a point. In fact, if you add RM200 or so more and you’re in entry-level Android territory. John’s Phone might be the simplest phone in the world but it’s certainly not the cheapest out there. It’s a quirk and definitely not for everyone.
15 Comments for The World’s Simplest Mobile Phone Will Soon Be Available in Malaysia
Ajay
RM99 gets me a good brand new Nokia which can do phone and text, with clock and alarm. This guy sure hasn't fully researched the market.
soyacincau
We are aware. You can definitely get a feature phone that can do much more than making calls for much less. In fact, if you add a couple of hundred Ringgit more,ou're looking at entry-level Android phones as viable options.
John's Phone might be the simplest phone in the world but it's certainly not the cheapest out there. It's a quirk and definitely not for everyone.
Alif
The point of this phone is to remind us that a phone should be a phone. This phone can be priced at whatever pricing point they want. If it price at RM2000, it is still a phone just like the Galaxy Nexus.
The best feature of this phone is, it is only a phone.
Justin_Yong
Alif 
what phone are you using ? lol
Alif
Just bought Galaxy Nexus today. 
stone
this phone belongs to the stone age.
even if free, most would throw it away into the pond after 1 day
nangka
Phone probably last for a week without needing to charge
Working Adult
Stated on their website it has a three weeks standby time LOL
Nicholas Chhan
I'm from GeekZen, the local retailer retailing the John's Phone. I totally agree with the comments – that a cheaper handset can do more for less. This is not a phone for everybody, but for some. That's our goal really, to bring these quirky niche items for the people that want it. It's appealing as a second phone, a home phone, a weekend phone, and a travel phone. A colleague of mine that travels often loves this phone. Since he carries a 'keychain' of SIM cards.
Ajay
Why not make it cost $10. The use and toss type. Good for smugglers, kidnappers, robbers, for a short time and untracetable conversation. Hey! I just identified a new nich market for cheap phones!!
stone
then this is indeed a museum piece or a collectors' item.
quirky nich item it is. in 2088, may be worth millions !
Nicholas Chhan
I lol'ed. It's worth close to a million now! Just change the currency to Indonesian Rupiah!
ahsiang
LOL. same concept used by Apple.
iPhone4S cost is about RM600 plus, while selling more than RM2000.
This John's phone probably cost RM20, manufactured by some shenzhen factory, and selling for RM350? wow, 1000% over profit! You are better than Steve Jobs, congratulation!
dickie
aiyo, bros. this john's phone is selling his design & product. this cost might not be more then 100 but is his idea worth that money. Levis jean is more then rm300-400 but there is other non-famous brand only RM30-40 n why you guys prefer Levis? is brand~
btw, Anyone knw where to buy this john's phone in malaysia? i wanna get one. might to email know why to get? dickieten@gmail.com TQ
Perfect for senior citizens but RM350? I say overpriced. Max I'll pay for this is RM100