moss vs Minimal Phone 2
A compact Android phone with a physical keyboard. Pre-order only, from $599.
Checked 11 November 2026 against The Minimal Company's own pages. We make moss, so we have linked every source below.
What Minimal Phone 2 is
The Minimal Phone 2 is a compact Android-based phone with a physical backlit QWERTY keyboard, running what its maker calls Minimal OS. It is offered with full Android and Google services, or as a de-Googled build. The store lists $599 for 256 GB and $699 for 512 GB, described as pre-order pricing. It is pre-order only, and the site says it ships in December 2026, so it is not in customers' hands yet. Because it runs full Android, every app is still available on it.
What moss is
moss is an iPhone app that comes with a small physical stone. You choose the apps that distract you, tap your phone on the stone, and those apps stay locked until you tap the stone again. People who live together can link their phones to share schedules and put their phones down at the same time, while each person keeps control of their own phone. Locking is free in the app, the stone is a one-time purchase, and the household features are a paid add-on.
Side by side
| Feature | moss | Minimal Phone 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$49 stone, free app | $599 (256 GB) or $699 (512 GB), listed as pre-order pricing |
| Subscription | None to lock your own phone. Household features are a paid add-on | None mentioned |
| Works on | iPhone only, iOS 17 or later | Its own device, running Android |
| How you lock | Tap the stone, or start from the app, a Shortcut, the lock screen or the Action Button. Schedules by day of week | Not stated. It runs full Android with every app available |
| How you unlock | Tap the stone, in the app | Not stated |
| If you need back in | 3 emergency unlocks a month, refilled automatically | Not applicable |
| Locking together as a household | Yes, as a paid add-on. Shared schedules, sessions others join in one tap, a view of whose phone is down, a streak. Nobody controls anyone else | Not stated |
| Whose key opens your phone | Only your household's own stone, card and sprigs unlock your phones | No key |
Where Minimal Phone 2 is better
- A physical keyboard and a small size change how the phone gets used.
- It keeps every Android app for the times one is truly needed.
- It is a complete phone, with a choice of a de-Googled build.
Where moss is better
- It locks the apps you choose. On a full Android phone the restraint is left to you.
- It works with the iPhone you already own.
- moss is US$49, against $599 or more.
- Households can lock together and see whose phone is down.
Who should pick which
Pick Minimal Phone 2 if
You want a different kind of phone with a real keyboard, and you are happy to pre-order and leave the iPhone.
Pick moss if
You want to keep your iPhone and have a lock that takes a walk to undo.
Sources
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.
moss is a stone that locks the apps you choose.
Tap to lock, tap to unlock. One price, and locking needs no subscription.
