Light Phone II vs Sonim XP3 Plus
Our Winner: Light Phone II
The Light Phone II remains the purest expression of intentional tech: a tiny E-ink phone with a curated toolbox and zero feeds. Buy it discounted while it lasts, or step up to the III. The Sonim XP3 Plus remains the better choice if the ~$149 savings matter more than the differences below.
Feature Comparison
| Specification | Light Phone II | Sonim XP3 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Light | Sonim |
| Model number | LP2 | XP3900 |
| Release year | 2019 | 2022 |
| Availability | limited | available |
| Price | $299 | $149.99 |
| Operating system | LightOS (Android-based) | Android-based (no app store) |
| Processor | Qualcomm MSM8909W | Qualcomm QCS2290 |
| RAM | 1GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 8GB | 16GB |
| Expandable storage | None | microSD up to 128GB |
| Display | 2.84" E-ink touchscreen | 2.8" main + 1.44" cover display |
| Battery | 950 mAh | 1550 mAh |
| Battery life | 1-2 days typical use | Up to 10 days standby |
| Weight | 78 g | 229 g |
| Dimensions | 95.85 x 55 x 6.5 mm | 110 x 57.4 x 24.6 mm |
| Camera | None | 5MP with flash |
| Form factor | bar | flip |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Hotspot | Yes | Yes |
| Dual SIM | No | No |
| VoLTE | Yes | Yes |
| Hearing aid compatibility | Not rated | HAC M4/T4 |
| Network support | 4G LTE | 4G LTE (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon variants) |
| US carriers | Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T | AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon |
Design
Light Phone II
At 78 grams and the footprint of a credit card, it disappears in a pocket. The matte casing and minimal typography are quietly beautiful.
Sonim XP3 Plus
Every surface is reinforced. The keys are huge, spaced, and tactile; the hinge is rated far beyond typical flip lifespans.
Battery
Light Phone II
The 950 mAh cell is the weak spot: a day or two of typical use. A power-user habit of evening charging solves it.
Sonim XP3 Plus
The removable 1550 mAh battery covers 1-3 days. Swappable spares keep field crews running through long shifts.
Features & Connectivity
Light Phone II
4G VoLTE on all three major US networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS for turn-by-turn directions, and a hotspot.
Sonim XP3 Plus
4G VoLTE across AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon (by variant), plus Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and hotspot support.
Privacy
Light Phone II
Light runs no ads, sells no data, and requires only a lightweight dashboard account. The phone has no app store and no trackers.
Sonim XP3 Plus
Locked-down Android with no app store keeps both distractions and data exhaust minimal.
Ease of Use & Performance
Light Phone II
Tools open promptly, but the E-ink refresh makes everything feel measured. Calls are clear and reliable.
Sonim XP3 Plus
Rock-solid calls with active noise cancellation, a speaker that overpowers machinery, and dependable reception on band-appropriate variants.
Value
The Light Phone II sells for about $299 and the Sonim XP3 Plus for about $149.99. That makes the Sonim XP3 Plus the value pick by roughly $149 — worth weighing against the feature differences above.
Final Recommendation
Buy the Light Phone II if you want the stronger overall package — especially for minimalists and adhd use. Choose the Sonim XP3 Plus if your priority is construction or outdoor, or if budget is the deciding factor.
Buy the Light Phone II
Light Phone II · $299We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no cost to you.
Buy the Sonim XP3 Plus
Sonim XP3 Plus · $149.99We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no cost to you.