I had in my hand Polish phone Mudita Kompakt with E-Ink screen [IFA 2024]
Although I have been in the IFA fair in Berlin 5 times, this year it happened for the first time that I was on them alone (that was also Krzysiek, but we passed on dates). It required another organization from me, and as a result, I am starting to create relationships only now. I have a real bomb to start! This is the first impression of commuting with the prototype Polish phone Mudita Kompakt.
Mudita is a Polish company founded by Michał Kiciński, who was a co-founder of CD Project. At the beginning of its existence, Mudita already had a phone with a candybar enclosure. Unfortunately, it is impossible to talk about commercial success here and it involves several defects that the device had. Since then, the company has launched watches, alarm clocks, mindfulness cards and even a collection of comfortable clothes made of natural materials.
This company that focuses on well-being, their latest phone is something that can be a really interesting alternative to a world full of hustle and bustle, stimuli, stress and constant notifications, and other distractors.
I and Mateusz wrote about the idea of this anti-smartphone itself. There is no need to translate the whole concept. However, it is worth recalling that this is a device for minimalists who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of a million notifications that come to color smartphones every day.
Let’s start from the beginning. I learned about the fact that Mudita is going to IFA 2024 in Berlin from the post to the company’s IG. Unfortunately, for two days I did not find a company stand. On the last day of my presence at the fair, 4 hours before leaving for the airport, I went with Michał from Chip.pl to say goodbye to the fair. However, I decided to find the stand where Mudita Kompakt will be exhibited.
It wasn’t that easy. Firstly, it was extremely small and did not appear on the map of IFA stands, secondly, Mudita exhibited under the banner of its distributor Tradesnest, and thirdly during the fair, the stand was moved to a completely different hall. However, Cyfranek came to my aid, who quickly responded to the message and very precisely described it and where to find the stand!
Mudita Kompakt in the prototype version works quite smoothly. In principle, all functions were available here. Together with the possibility of SMS communication and camera camera.
The software of this model is responsive and resembles other devices that work using the E-Ink screen. The main screen presents information about the battery status, network coverage, date and time. At the bottom we see the app of the phone and messages and the More tab with additional applications.
In the prototype device there were six of them: e-book reader, voice recorder, calculator, camera/camera and meditations. They all worked quite smoothly. On one of the videos I recorded, you can see that the camera app did not turn on it after clicking it. However, I think it’s just a miss click (I had two busy hands), because the next time it worked out without a problem. All the applications worked without problems. One thing to complain about is the long loading of books – but I put it on the canvas that it is still a prototype.
The construction of the device was also quite good. It is completely plastic, but nothing creaked here and did not creak. The casing was compact and well folded. An interesting fact here is the slider on the side of the case, similar to the one from the iPhone, which completely cuts off the GSM module, WiFi, Bluetooth and microphone and camera.
The equipment made a really great impression on me. This is one of the devices that we are very much waiting for in the editorial office!
I know that this is only a prototype and confident, the manufacturer will present the Compact model, which will be more advanced in terms of software. But it is necessary to introduce a few additional applications:
the audio player LED flashlight (since it is already in the device) A communicator such as a secure Signal or the popular Whatsapp The calendar the list to-do, The timer/pomodoro
I would also like to see here the applications of popular e-book and audiobooks websites such as Legimi or Audible/Audoteka. I also have a note about highlighting, it’s probably too late for such a change. However, a sensational feature would be the ability to change the illumination temperature – as in e-ink readers.
The specification Dimensions 128 x 70 x 12.6 mm The Display E-Ink, 4.3 inch, 800 x 480 pixels The material Polycarbonate with 7% fiberglass content The Processor MediaTek MT6761V/WBA The system Our own PureOS system The Memory 32 GB built-in memory The battery 3300 mAh LiPo The camera 8 MP with LED lamp dual tone Audio and the Audio High quality ACC speaker, 3.5 mm headphone port Slots Hybrid SIM slot + Micro SD card or two SIM The Resilience The IP54 standard The connectivity 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, VoLTE, VoWiFi, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.x, NFC Loading USB C (included cables) and wireless