The Frog RS1 catches your attention because of its small size. Shenzhen Frog Technology designed this phone with a 3.4-inch square screen and then attached it to a hinge, allowing the screen to swing up to reveal stuff underneath. Flip it 180 degrees to reveal a complete QWERTY keyboard in one version and a specialized game controller in the other.
The designers went all out to make the device as small as possible, around the size of a closed fist. The screen is surrounded by large bezels that prevent it from slipping out of your grip as you flip it over. Then there’s the single little camera on the back, with no fancy lenses or sensors to mess things up. Everything fits effortlessly in your pocket and stays out of the way until you need it again.
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Flipping it around is a little odd at first, but after a few tries, you get the hang of it. Simply lift and twist the bottom half of the phone, and the screen remains on so you can see what you’re doing. When the keyboard comes to life, it has real keys with raised caps as well as some extra buttons to quickly access WhatsApp and Facebook. When you switch to gamepad mode, you get a simple controller layout with a D-pad and some color-coded action buttons for starters, such as Select and Start, but no complex analog sticks or shoulder buttons to muddle matters.
A MediaTek chip running Android powers the device, but when you order one, you can choose from several RAM and storage options, but there isn’t much information about the battery, which is because Frog is positioning this as a blank canvas rather than a finished product.
Using a physical keyboard is a game changer for anyone who loves to type on actual keys rather than glass. Commutes are a breeze, emails flow by, notes are written without autocorrect getting in the way, and the square screen is good for brief messages but becomes stretched out when apps require something a little higher. Retro gamers will have a field day, however. The controller mode allows Android emulation of old handheld games run smoothly, and the D-pad is ideal for platformers and puzzles.
The only major concern is the hinge, which is the component that is most likely to take a hammering over time. Frog’s engineers reinforced it to hold it all together, but you’ll still need to treat it with care to ensure it lasts. Also, don’t expect the camera to do much more than take a quick snap or two; it’s tiny and unsuitable for serious shooting. Video calls are also out of the question because there is no front lens and you have to use the rear sensor twisted around.
It’s still unclear when the RS1 will be available in stores. Frog is working with original design manufacturers and hopes to get some partner companies on board to bring it to market. There is no pricing, no release date, and no indication of what software updates will be available if it is picked up. So far, the interest is limited to folks who used to like physical keyboards or gamepads on previous devices.
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