Runcible is the classiest, watch-iest smartphone we’ve ever seen (hands-on)

BARCELONA — Forget what you know about smartphones, put on your top hat and monocle, and pretend it’s the year 1515. Reach into your pocket, take out your nifty pocket watch, then stare at its gorgeous high-resolution display and make a phone call.

That’s the plan with the Runcible, anyhow. Designed by Monohm, a company founded by alumni from both Apple and Sony, the stunning, circular smartphone with the nonsensical name stands out amidst a constant drone of rectangular devices. CNET spoke to Monohm ahead of the Runcible’s MWC debut and got the full fascinating story behind this intriguing device.

 

A circular argument

 

I popped by the Firefox booth earlier to meet up with the founders, George Arriola and Jason Proctor, who were on hand to demo the Runcible prototype. However, because it’s just a prototype, I wasn’t able to get the full experience (or even the specs!), but I’m told the phone will be ready for sale by the end of the year in Japan through Japanese telco KDDI. Prices should be around unlocked iPhone 6territory — around $600 — which converts to around £390 and AU$770.

Read full post here:
https://www.cnet.com/reviews/runcible-preview/