Voice phones cater to various consumer segments, including parents, seniors, and individuals seeking to disconnect from the digital world. The MP02 is tailored for professionals and trendsetters who recognize their overreliance on smartphones and seek a device that encourages them to engage more with their surroundings. Therefore, while the 259 GBP price tag may seem exorbitant given its limited features, it becomes justifiable for those accustomed to investing in high-quality apparel or a weekend getaway at a charming bed and breakfast.
Punkt, a small Swiss company, specializes in crafting exquisite and high-end electronics. Their product lineup includes an elegant alarm clock, a sleek cordless phone, and a sophisticated USB charger, all of which showcase design aesthetics reminiscent of the mid-20th century. Notably, the MP02 is the brainchild of Jasper Morrison, a renowned British product designer with extensive experience collaborating with the minimalist Japanese brand Muji.
The polycarbonate chassis features a matte finish and a rubbery trapezoidal back. While it is protected against splashes, it is not fully waterproof. With dimensions of 4.6 by 2.0 by 0.57 inches (HWD) and weighing 3.5 ounces, it easily fits in your hand and slips into a pocket effortlessly. The only ports on the device are for connecting headphones or a charger (resembling USB-C, but only compatible with Punkt's included accessories) and a nano SIM card slot.
The 2-inch, 320-by-240 transflective screen is readable in sunlight and boasts a minimalistic, text-only interface. Images are rarely seen, appearing only when receiving picture messages. By default, it displays the date and time, and that's about it.
The phone supports frequency bands 1/2/4/5/7/12/17, which should work well for AT&T and many T-Mobile users. However, it does not have band 71, which is used by T-Mobile for some rural coverage. The network signal strength is comparable to other voice phones I tested, as long as band 71 is not required. Unfortunately, Wi-Fi calling is not supported, but you can still connect to Wi-Fi and use Pigeon to call other Signal users.
The call quality and volume are impressive. Among the batch of voice phones I recently tested, the MP02 had the second-loudest earpiece, reaching a maximum of 96dB. The speakerphone is located on the back and is designed to slightly amplify itself by bouncing off your desk. The sound is clear and not distorted, although it has a slightly hollow quality. The speaker achieved 84dB at six inches, which was quieter than some other phones, but still satisfactory. The 17 included ringtones are all high-pitched beeps or chirps.
The phone doesn't have a 3.5mm jack, but Bluetooth headsets work perfectly with it. In the box, you'll find a very unusual single-ear wired headset and a charger, both of which plug into the bottom USB-C port. Unfortunately, my test unit didn't work with any other USB-C charger or wired headset that I tried. It's frustrating, but it's not a deal-breaker.
Battery life is impressive, with 7 hours and 37 minutes of talk time during tests on the T-Mobile network, surpassing most other 4G voice phones I've recently evaluated. When on standby, the battery can last for at least a week.
The MP02 operates on a modified version of Android 8.1 with BlackBerry security features running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 chipset. The interface looks nothing like standard Android. Aside from Pigeon/Signal, there are no other applications, no tracking, no location services, and no sharing. Punkt places a strong emphasis on safeguarding the privacy and security of personal data.
To unlock the MP02, simply press the power button on the top and then the action button located between the navigation arrows to the left of the keypad. If you prefer added security, you can set a passcode. Once unlocked, dialing is straightforward—simply dial the number. Any additional actions may be more complex. When receiving a new text, press the action button twice. Quick action buttons for accessing texts and the address book are only functional from the home screen, not from anywhere in the user interface. Notably, there are no specific volume keys, and adjusting the volume during a call requires multiple taps and attention to the screen.
When it comes to texting, this phone offers multilingual predictive text and the ability to receive and view picture messages and emoji, but not to forward or send them. It's not ideal for typing lengthy messages, so sending voice clips through Pigeon is a better option if you have a lot to say.
In addition to texting, the phone comes with useful apps like an alarm, calculator, clock, and stopwatch. It also includes calendar and notes apps, although they are not easy to type into and do not sync with other devices. The address book can only be synced by importing VCF files or SIM contacts via USB or Bluetooth.
The MP02 doesn't have a camera, web browser, or games. Its only internet feature is functioning as a slow hotspot for your laptop or smartphone. Similar to other voice phones I've recently tested, the MP02 offers minimal LTE and shares it using only a 2.4GHz hotspot. However, this aligns with the idea that it's important to disconnect and engage in offline activities.
As messaging apps continue to dominate the world, voice phones are finding it challenging to keep up with texting. While all voice phones are capable of handling simple SMS, they generally struggle when it comes to group messaging. The phone in question is no different: it can receive group texts, but it lacks the ability to reply to the entire group, only allowing replies to be sent to the individual sender of each text.
The Pigeon app operates independently from the standard text messaging app, but it syncs with the phone's standard contact books. Similar to the other apps on the MP02, it features a text-only interface that can be a bit tricky to navigate. To really grasp the app, you have to dive into a 22-page manual, but once you get the hang of it, it functions quite effectively.
The Punkt MP02 presents a sleek design and offers a straightforward voice experience on both AT&T and T-Mobile, boasting impressively secure messaging, albeit with occasional delays. Its retro mid-century appearance and tactile buttons cater to those seeking a blend of modern technology with a vintage charm. It's a sophisticated way to encourage a deliberate disconnection from the digital world.
Source: pcmag
Official site: punkt