Sidephone Unveils "Sundial," A Swappable iPod-Inspired Keypad for Its Upcoming Modular Dumb Phone

In a move that’s sure to delight minimalist tech enthusiasts and nostalgia-seekers alike, Sidephone has just pulled back the curtain on its most intriguing accessory yet: the Sundial Keypad. Designed for the upcoming modular "dumb phone," this swappable control tile is purpose-built to make music playback and device navigation both tactile and intuitive, evoking the iconic spirit of the iPod in a thoroughly modern package.

The official reveal was made in a detailed post on the official Sidephone Reddit community, which offered a first look at both the sleek design and how the Sundial integrates with the phone itself. While its circular design is a clear nod to the past, Sidephone is quick to clarify that the Sundial is a new beast entirely, focusing on button-based input rather than a rotating wheel.

A Closer Look at the Sundial's Design and Functionality

So, what exactly is the Sundial Keypad? It's a magnetically-attachable module that clicks onto the base of the Sidephone, transforming its interface on the fly. The keypad features a distinctive circular dial with a total of nine buttons.

Four of these are soft-touch controls arranged within the dial itself, dedicated to media playback: previous track, skip track, volume up, and volume down. A satisfying center glass button serves as the play/pause function, making one-handed music control a breeze.

Flanking this central dial are four corner buttons, which come preprogrammed for quick access to core apps: Phone, Messages, Camera, and Clock. For those who want to tailor the experience to their lifestyle, all nine keys are fully user-reprogrammable directly from the Sidephone’s settings menu. Want a dedicated flashlight button or a shortcut to your notes app? The Sundial can be configured to make it happen.

The modularity is a key feature. The keypad attaches via a strong magnetic connection, supporting the "rapid swap-ability" that is central to the Sidephone's philosophy. This means you could potentially have different keypads for different scenarios—one for music, one for productivity, and so on.

Customization and a Glimpse into Production

Sidephone isn't stopping at just a new keypad. To complement the launch of the Sundial, the company announced it will also release eight new vibrant silicone case colors. This allows users to mix and match, creating a highly personalized device that reflects their style.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the announcement was a subtle confirmation that the device is moving from concept to reality. In a first demonstration video, Sidephone’s Shenzhen-based manufacturing partner was seen seamlessly slotting a Sundial keypad directly into a production-grade Sidephone handset—a strong signal that the project is on track.

You can see the official design and the real-world integration for yourself in the announcement made on the Sidephone Reddit page.

Pricing, Availability, and How to Get One

For those ready to commit to this new vision of a modular phone, here are the essential details:

Initial Production: The first run will be a limited batch of 1,000 silver/white Sundial keypads. A silver/black model is also a possibility if consumer demand is high enough.
Pricing: The Sundial Keypad itself will be priced at $29. The new silicone cases will retail for $10 each.
Bundle Deals: Sidephone is offering a customizable bundle option, allowing buyers to pick three cases and three keypad types/tiles for a bundled price of $100.
Shipping Timeline: The first batch of Sundial accessories is expected to ship in tandem with the earliest Founders Edition Sidephone devices, with a target delivery date of January 2026.

It's important to note that this is an accessory for the core Sidephone device. US pre-orders for the Sidephone SP-01 handset are already live, having opened earlier this month on October 16. If you're interested in building your ultimate minimalist phone setup, you can secure your device and check the latest availability directly at the official pre-order page on Amazon.

The Sundial Keypad represents a significant step in Sidephone's mission to create a phone that you control, not the other way around. By blending the tactile satisfaction of past devices with the modular flexibility of the future, Sidephone is carving out a unique and compelling niche in a world of increasingly homogenous smartphones.