Less is more when it comes to the Light Phone 3. Although it features a newly integrated camera, you’re paying more for the simplicity of its functions.
This device is part of a category known as “dumb” phones, which focus on essential capabilities instead of the complex features found in smartphones, like web browsing or social media apps. As the world anticipates a tech revolution driven by artificial intelligence, many are seeking relief from the distractions of bright screens and endless scrolling. In fact, Amazon CTO Werner Vogels suggested that 2025 could mark a shift towards more intentional tech use.
If you want to step away from social media, you could easily opt for a flip phone priced under $100, but the Light Phone 3 is available for preorder at $599, eventually slated for a retail price of $799. For context, the latest iPhone starts at $599.
The most significant upgrade from the previous Light Phone 2 is the introduction of front and rear cameras, just as major smartphone brands like Apple and Samsung have recently highlighted their camera capabilities. In a conversation with Joe Hollier, cofounder of Light, he explained that the camera on the Light Phone 3 wasn’t designed to rival iPhone cameras but was influenced by his love for film photography, aiming for a nostalgic aesthetic.
I decided to test the phone’s camera myself through selfies and pet photos, taking the images and sending them to my iPhone for this article. The nostalgic vibe was apparent in the photos I captured of myself and my dogs, maintaining that vintage film look on the Light Phone. However, the quality diminished somewhat when viewed on my iPhone 14 Pro Max, especially images taken with the front-facing camera.
It’s worth noting that the ability to send photos via text was just added in a recent LightOS update, so this feature is still fresh. The quality of images taken with the rear camera was slightly better and retained more of the desired nostalgia depicted in Light’s promotional photos.
In terms of hardware, the Light Phone 3 comes with six buttons, including a brightness dial that doubles as a flashlight switch, a dedicated camera button, and classic smartphone controls like volume, a home button, and a power button with a fingerprint sensor. Additional features available for download include a business directory for finding contact info and locations, as well as a music tool for uploading songs. However, it currently lacks compatibility with music streamers like Spotify and Apple Music but offers podcast access through a separate tool that isn’t pre-installed.
Though marketed as an anti-social media device, the Light Phone 3 has garnered attention online, with TikTok users comparing its aesthetic to that of the Amazon Kindle. It gained some visibility in rapper Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” music video featuring the Light Phone 2.
However, some users have expressed discontent regarding the price point, feeling it aligns too closely with that of newer, fully-featured smartphones.