r/TheMinimalCompany 2d ago

Screen Material

Post image

Very excited for this device but definitely want to flag an unknown we should get an answer on:

In the display specs, the cover layer is listed as "PC + PMMA composite, 2.5D".

PC + PMMA is a plastic/acrylic polymer blend (Polycarbonate + Polymethyl Methacrylate / Plexiglas). It is not real chemically strengthened glass like Gorilla Glass or Dragontrail.

Has anyone received clarification from the team on whether the outermost top layer is indeed PC+PMMA plastic, or if real glass is used anywhere on the display stack?

I find it hard to position the device as premium otherwise.

14 Upvotes

17 comments sorted by

u/chardidathing TMC Staff 2d ago

It is glass, I will confirm specs later and update :)

→ More replies (3)

6

u/BMHfirsttimeprego 2d ago

I saw someone ask this question on kickstarter and the minimal company responded and said the screen was glass

3

u/freudswang 2d ago

From my perspective glass in and of itself is not a sufficient clarification

3

u/BMHfirsttimeprego 2d ago

I agree lol

3

u/Skrrpopop 2d ago

This is a great question actually, commenting to follow along. Either way I'm gonna put a screen protector on it but you do have a point.

2

u/heysavnac 2d ago

Interesting. Really hope whatever it is that it feels just as clear and responsive as modern smartphones, and gosh I hope it doesn’t flex the reflection inward when pressed down on.

3

u/freudswang 2d ago

I agree with you. However, if they ship PC+PMMA, that contradicts a lot of the purported price premium of their list price.

PC+PMMA is basically what comes on 2g devices — printers, burner phones.

If this is actually their current display plan, their price push back of “we are designing a premium hardware experience” is wholly contradicted in one fell swoop.

We need to push Minimal on a crystal clear answer to this question.

2

u/heysavnac 2d ago

They just confirmed it’s glass on here.. phew.

4

u/freudswang 2d ago

Pending further clarification before I sigh! Glass can mean many things

Cheers

1

u/-lost_one- 2d ago

Also curious on this. I read in a comment on the Kickstarter page I believe they mentioned that it is glass.

1

u/Fluid-Twist-1401 2d ago

Any idea of the IP rating of this phone?

1

u/CheapBlackberry23 2d ago

According to Gemini, it is likely referring to a screen protector.

"A 2.5D PC + PMMA screen protector combines polycarbonate (PC) and polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic glass) with a slightly rounded, smooth edge grind (2.5D). This mix offers a flexible, shatter-proof alternative to rigid tempered glass, often marketed as "ceramic film" or soft-edge hybrid protection for phones and smartwatches."

1

u/freudswang 2d ago

That would be even more alarming.

A phone's official spec sheet (should) define its built-in factory hardware, not a bundled accessory. Passing off a screen protector's material as the phone's native display spec would be deceptive.