

The device is certified for use near water and can take occasional splashes, but it cannot be submerged and is not considered waterproof. Regarding environmental protection, the Balmuda Phone offers an official IPX4 rating. Oddly, the carefully crafted design by Balmuda is something I couldn’t appreciate, perhaps due to years of using squared-off slabs constantly etching themselves into my palm. The phone is made from plastic, which feels somewhat cheap in 2022, and the textured surface on the rear provides just enough grip to feel comfortable. The device cradles your palm, and to be frank, feels like the complete opposite of what you’re used to when handling a smartphone. Thanks to its smaller footprint, sloping curves, and 138g weight, the Balmuda Phone should feel pretty good in the hand.

But is a compact smartphone with the Balmuda name any good? Let’s find out. You can see how at this point, it might become alluring. Best of all, the phone costs virtually nothing when purchased under contract. Rather than being marketed as a high-end Balmuda, it is sold as an affordable and compact smartphone that is great for first-timers. So how does a phone that wasn’t well received get a second chance? It gets repurposed by those selling it. The Balmuda Phone launched in Japan towards the tail end of 2021, and due to its poor reception, it was allegedly discontinued only a few months after its launch.ĭespite this, the smartphone is still sold in stores and can be readily purchased on or off contract. So what happens when a modern design company wants to dip its toe into the smartphone market? It creates its smartphone, of course. Despite Balmuda’s history, the company is probably best known for its products like its relatively pricey toaster and electric kettle.
