The bottom grille of the device contains the stereo speaker, providing surprisingly good audio that can reach a decent volume. Users may need to relearn how to download music, but once familiar with the process, they can upload albums, such as “GNX”, through the Light Phone’s web dashboard on a PC. The phone offers 128 GB of internal storage but lacks a headphone jack; however, Bluetooth capability allows pairing with wireless earbuds. It pairs easily with car Bluetooth systems for music or podcast playback during drives. Specific podcasts can be added through the online dashboard, and the Podcasts tool on the device can be synced to receive new episodes.
The microphone quality is noted as strong, with users not experiencing any issues during calls. The Notes app allows for either writing notes or recording voice memos, with recordings sounding clear when made in relatively quiet environments.
The phone’s 1,800-mAh battery typically lasts around two days, although extended music or podcast play will reduce this duration. It is charged via USB-C, and the back is secured by four screws to facilitate easier battery replacement. This design results in an IP54 water resistance rating, which is sufficient for rain but not submersion.
The Phone tool is predicted to be the most used feature. Contact addition is straightforward via the dashboard using Google Contacts, with .VCF file uploads possible. The wider design improves texting over previous models, and voice-to-text is available for anyone who finds the physical keyboard cramped. Images captured with the Light Phone III can be attached to messages.
The Directions tool, powered by Here, offers driving and walking directions similar to Google Maps; however, the built-in GPS can take time to locate its position, especially indoors. There is a public transit option that resembles traditional paper directions.
The Directory is appreciated for its functionality, allowing users to search for locations like coffee shops or museums. It provides details such as hours of operation, contact information, and sometimes star ratings. Quick navigation and call options are available via the monochrome map.
A 50-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel selfie camera are present on the device. While the photo quality may not match those of comparably priced smartphones, the lo-fi aesthetic of the images is noted as enjoyable. Low-light settings require adjusting exposure compensation to produce usable images, though the resulting graininess is currently a popular style. Photos must be transferred via a computer with Media Transfer enabled on the Light Phone III, although web dashboard syncing is expected in the future.
