Remember when the technology race used to be all about miniaturisation and smaller form factors? Well, Ymobile is attempting to revive this spirit, somewhat, with its Heart 401AB handset, which is destined for release in Japan this March. Although, this odd design comes with its own set of rather severe compromises.
Forget QHD displays, blazing fast LTE or cutting edge dual cameras, the Heart 410AB doesn’t even care for sending emails or text messages. Instead, the phone makes use of Japan’s PHS network, which is only really used for low-cost voice call devices, and can manage around two hours of talk time per charge. When you do fancy making a call, the phone twists and folds out from its heart-shaped shell into something with a closer resemblance to a miniature phone. Adorable.
The handset also boasts an impressive sounding 160 hours of standby time. Which is great, as you won’t have to worry about battery life as you gaze into the 0.9-inch 128 x 36 pixel, monochrome display to peruse your favourite contacts.
So the Heart 401AB is a fashion accessory at its core, but Ymobile has tried to make it a little more useful, with a smartphone app for transferring your contacts, remote locking control, and a USB socket that also functions as an earphone jack.
As for the intended market audience, the Heart 401AB isn’t quite as bizarre as it first sounds. Carriers in Japan, including Ymobile, offer data-only plans for some smartphones, so a small accessory phone designed purely for voice calls does at least have a purpose.
A “special exhibition” for the Heart is planned from February 1st to March 20th, with the phone launching in Japan shortly afterwards.
If you’ve spotted an odder handset, I’m eager to see it. Drop a comment below.