The Ikko MindOne Pro stands out for its compact size.

I often refer to it as a square device, though that description falls short; its display forms a square while the handset remains mildly rectangular. The camera rises to enable selfies and can be propped open partially to serve as a stand or grip accessory. A keyboard add-on in the style of Clicks also brings a magnetic holder and audio port. Despite my efforts, this device fails to satisfy in every respect.

I tested it as an everyday handset. I installed a simple launcher and used it in a basic mode. I attached the keyboard shell and removed it again. No approach felt satisfying.

Embracing the square form.

I encountered the MindOne Pro at CES in January. Ikko, a Shenzhen firm known for earbuds and sound gear, created this compact smartphone or AI device, or perhaps a blend of both. It reaches global markets at a list price of 499 dollars, now reduced to 429 dollars via the maker site.

Even with appealing hardware, early signs appeared when the unit grew quite warm during initial setup. That process always taxes a processor, yet the MindOne ran hotter than typical phones on day one. After a week it cooled somewhat, but light use still raises its temperature.

The rising main camera serves selfies too.

It doubles as a stand, which works well.

Power endurance proved weak as well. Charge fell from the mid nineties to the sixties within ninety minutes during ordinary tasks. Browsing short videos, checking maps, and playing music over wireless networks drained a third of capacity in under two hours, which feels inadequate.

Further issues followed. The unique camera layout shows promise, yet image quality disappoints. Tones shift unpredictably, with daylight shots faring better while indoor scenes often appear overly green.

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The square display holds appeal until one recalls that most mobile sites favor tall rectangles. Default behavior stretches content across the full area, cropping vertical clips and pages. The virtual keyboard then occupies over half the view, creating further strain.

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Default proportions and sharpness hinder everyday use.

Ikko supplies quick settings options to ease these problems. A resolution switch packs more items onto the view, while an aspect toggle adds side bars for a taller format. These aids help with stubborn text fields or selectors, though they shrink the usable space inside an already tiny panel.

Perhaps that limited scope is intentional. Viewing the MindOne as a pared down handset for lighter days makes it more appealing. It evokes devices that skip addictive apps, yet occasional needs like ride services create friction with overly restricted options. The MindOne might serve as a middle path, since running demanding apps feels cumbersome enough to discourage frequent use, though I still reached for them and simply endured poorer results. A connected watch often proves the stronger minimalist choice.

The keyboard shell never felt natural.

Even the keyboard accessory proves hard to endorse. It includes an internal cell that can top up the phone, yet the physical keys prove clumsier than the onscreen alternative. After time away from physical input I found typing slower and more awkward than virtual keys, though the audio jack remains a welcome detail.

A separate AI focused launcher offers chat tools that switch between models plus a notes feature. Given the Chinese origin I tested sensitive queries, such as whether Hong Kong belongs to China; the reply came in Spanish and declined to answer. A built in global eSIM works free inside the AI section but requires payment for other tasks, and speeds stayed low in my Seattle area.

The design remains visually pleasing regardless.

Despite the concept appeal, a handset of this shape faces inherent limits. Struggling to view rectangular sites and programs inside a square frame proves difficult. What may be needed instead is a compact rectangular model with current features. Phone makers, please bring back a small iPhone with USB C and solid endurance. The MindOne does not fill that role for me, though lighter users less concerned with photos might find it suitable. The search continues for everyone else.

Photography / The Verge

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Allison Johnson