The market is increasingly yearning for something different.

In today's smartphone landscape, flagship devices with colossal screens are engaged in a fierce battle, each vying to outshine the other in terms of screen size and performance.

To accommodate larger batteries, mid-range flagship phones have ballooned in width, surpassing 80mm; to incorporate superior cameras, the thickness of phones, inclusive of the camera module, rarely dips below 15mm; while small-screen phones have indeed seen a resurgence, they often hover around the 200g mark.

Frankly, staring at such products for too long can lead to aesthetic fatigue.

So, imagine my excitement when foreign media reported that a Chinese manufacturer had launched an ultra-quirky card phone overseas.

(Image source: iKKO)

According to Notebookcheck, a renowned foreign media outlet, iKKO, a domestic manufacturer acclaimed for its HiFi audio equipment and innovative AI headphones, officially unveiled its maiden phone, the iKKO Mind One AI, on the overseas crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. The phone boasts a mini design, an integrated AI assistant, a flip camera capable of switching between front and rear, and even supports a full keyboard protective case.

Whether such an unconventional product is actually user-friendly can only be ascertained through hands-on experience. However, regardless, compared to mainstream smartphone manufacturers constantly vying for camera quality, thinness, performance, and price -

This product, at the very least, sounds intriguing.

Before delving into details, let's introduce iKKO to everyone.

iKKO, a Hong Kong-based company, initially gained recognition within the HiFi community for its well-regarded in-ear headphones and portable DACs (commonly known as 'little tails'). Their products have always been celebrated for their impressive audio quality and occasionally ahead-of-its-time design concepts. After launching the ActiveBuds AI headphones with built-in ChatGPT in 2024, they further expanded their AI technology portfolio, embarking on a rapid journey down the path of 'AI + hardware'.

(Image source: iKKO)

With the iKKO Mind One AI, they have pushed individuality to the extreme:

Unlike the monotonous slender 'glass bricks' of today, the iKKO Mind One AI is a nearly square card-style device that resembles a refined card holder. Its minimalist lines make it appear more like a dedicated HiFi player than a traditional smartphone.

(Image source: iKKO)

Beyond its design, the first highlight of this phone is its size.

With dimensions of only 86x72mm and a thickness of 8.9mm, paired with a 4.02-inch square AMOLED true full-screen display, it's roughly the size of a palm. The introduction video on the official website depicts a young lady holding it, making it look small and adorable.

In an era where screens often edge towards 7 inches, this portability is a refreshing experience for those accustomed to lugging around bulky devices.

(Image source: iKKO)

On the back of the phone, there's a very retro yet practical flip camera.

Unlike the complex 'bathroom light' multi-camera modules on current phones, this camera can shoot from both sides, catering to the needs of both front and rear cameras. This allows the iKKO Mind One AI to feature a square AMOLED true full-screen display without a punch-hole.

Moreover, it's even equipped with a 1/1.56-inch Sony sensor, akin to the IMX766.

It's worth noting that as of 2025, several top manufacturers' standard flagship models still use IMX766-like sensors as their main cameras, coupled with several average ultra-wide-angle/macro lenses. In this context, the camera configuration of the iKKO Mind One AI is actually quite reasonable.

(Image source: iKKO)

This means that selfies can also leverage the full capabilities of the main camera, offering high playability for photography enthusiasts.

In terms of core configuration, this device comes with 8+256GB storage, essentially on par with the most common entry-level phones currently available. As for the processor, it has not been announced yet, with the official only describing it as a 'high-performance chip within its size'.

You ask what a 'high-performance chip within its size' entails?

Considering that smaller manufacturers face difficulties in obtaining Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, and given the overall crowdfunding landscape this year, I believe the most likely candidate for this product is MediaTek's Dimensity 7300.

Just a guess, not necessarily accurate.

However, in my opinion, the Dimensity 7300 is sufficient. iKKO has also specifically equipped this phone with a 'dual system': Android 15 and iKKO's own AI OS. The former allows you to browse short videos and play games like a normal phone; the latter is a deeply customized, ad-free, and interference-free system dedicated to AI tools, focused learning, and efficient work.

Put simply, it's a third-party desktop that integrates numerous AI applications.

To emphasize this selling point, iKKO has also included free global networking in the Pro version, enabling users to utilize its built-in AI tools directly in over 60 countries and regions, without the need for a SIM card or Wi-Fi. These AI tools encompass real-time AI translation, AI-generated personalized podcasts, and more.

It's crucial to note that this free networking is limited to the built-in AI tools and does not have a clearly specified usage duration.

Even more extravagantly, the company has designed an optional full keyboard protective case. This case not only allows you to experience physical key input akin to that of a BlackBerry but also integrates a 3.5mm headphone jack and an independent CS43198 DAC audio chip onto the case itself.

Goodness, as if they're afraid that others won't know they started as a HiFi company.

(Image source: iKKO)

In terms of drawbacks, this device only sports a 2200mAh battery.

Even with a smaller screen and better system optimization, facing the power-hungry Android system, the battery life of this phone is indeed a concern.

Looking back, products like the iKKO Mind One AI, which seem 'offbeat', are not uncommon in Chinese manufacturers' overseas ventures. Overseas crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have long served as testing grounds for Chinese manufacturers to explore niche, innovative, and even various 'quirky' ideas.

In fact, iKKO itself is well-versed in this. Long before the Mind One AI, their ActiveBuds AI headphones launched in 2024 were a successful precedent.

(Image source: iKKO)

This product integrated the capabilities of the ChatGPT large model into TWS headphones, aiming to achieve independent AI interaction, translation, and music generation without relying on a phone.

This radical idea at the time was also first launched on an overseas platform and successfully attracted a group of early adopters passionate about AI hardware, accumulating valuable experience and the first core fan base for today's more ambitious AI phone.

When it comes to mastering the 'overseas crowdfunding' model, the extremely niche field of Chinese Windows handheld gaming devices stands out.

Before Steam Deck swept the globe with overwhelming force, playing AAA PC games on a palm-sized device was almost a pipe dream.

However, it was a group of Shenzhen manufacturers like GPD and AYANEO that turned this 'garage dream' of geeks into a reality step by step through crowdfunding platforms, making this ultra-compact Windows computer integrated with a gamepad a fresh breeze in the market.

(Image source: GPD)

Behind this phenomenon lies a vast difference in market environments between China and abroad.

In China, the smart hardware market has long been a red ocean, with the focus of competition often on cost control, channel deployment, and large-scale marketing. A product that is too niche or conceptually ahead of its time will struggle to find sufficient survival space amidst the main themes of cost-effectiveness and volume sales.

However, the user ecosystem of overseas crowdfunding platforms is entirely different. Supporters here are more akin to a blend of 'angel investors' and 'product co-creators'. They are not only willing to pay a premium for unique creativity and forward-thinking concepts but also enjoy participating in the entire process of a new product evolving from concept to reality.

Thanks to the existence of crowdfunding platforms, these domestic 'quirky' products can bypass the numerous barriers of traditional channels and directly engage with the most demanding yet passionate users worldwide. Ultimately, they transform an extremely niche category into a thriving market segment, achieving a brilliant overtaking maneuver on the innovation path of Made in China.

Frankly, the iKKO Mind One was never intended for the mass market.

It doesn't aspire to be an all-around 'jack-of-all-trades' phone but rather a novel and interesting 'geek toy' tailored for a niche audience.

Rather than focusing on the internal competition in performance, imaging, and battery life, it dives into portability, AI, and HiFi audio quality. While maintaining the functionality of a phone, it plays its own tricks, appearing at least fifty times more appealing than its predecessor, the Rabbit R1.

(Image source: Rabbit)

In a monotonous smartphone market, seeing such an unconventional and personalized product is indeed refreshing.

In my opinion, its target user profile is extremely clear and narrow: it's for digital enthusiasts who miss physical full keyboards, can comfortably hold small phones with one hand, have high audio quality requirements, and are curious about new AI features. The intersection of these three circles dooms it to not become a favorite in the mass market but rather a 'big toy' for geeks.

But if you happen to perfectly fit this user profile and have sufficient budget to 'play' with a new device, considering the current early bird price of just $299 (equivalent to RMB 2145), then the iKKO Mind One AI might bring you a freshness far exceeding that of conventional phones.

iKKO phone, novel, cool, quirky, goes overseas

Source: Lei Technology

Images in this article are from: 123RF Stock Photo Library Source: Lei Technology