A 152g LCD Phone in 2025? Japan's Mode1 Reignites Hope for Eye-Care Enthusiasts
OLED or LCD? That is the question. By the end of 2025, finding a smartphone with an LCD screen has become a challenge. The market is almost entirely dominated by OLED, leaving a dedicated group of users proclaiming, "LCD will never be slaves!" These enthusiasts have been vocal on social media, even launching a "Save LCD" movement. For these die-hard fans, a glimmer of hope has appeared on the horizon.
Recently, Japanese manufacturer Mode1 announced the release of a new phone, the Mode1 Pocket, on November 11. Its most striking feature, in an era of OLED dominance, is its bold use of an LCD screen. Moreover, it's a compact phone, weighing only 152 grams. While this may seem like a renaissance for LCD supporters, is this long-awaited device the dawn they've been hoping for, or just another fleeting illusion?
A Small-Screen LCD?
Before diving into the phone, let's get to know the brand, Mode1. Unlike global giants, Mode1 is a smartphone brand under the Japanese company P-UP World, specializing in niche and differentiated products. Their past releases include ultra-rugged devices and minimalist phones, like the well-known Mode1 Retro 2 flip phone. The Mode1 Pocket follows this philosophy. In a market of large, heavy phones, its 152g weight and 5.3-inch screen offer a refreshing sense of lightness that will appeal to fans of compact devices.
However, the initial positive impression might fade once you turn on the screen. While it's a 120Hz LCD, the resolution is a mere 1560x720, or 720P, which is quite dated for 2025. Performance is also a compromise. It's powered by the MediaTek Helio G99, an entry-level chip from a few years ago that's only adequate for daily use, not demanding games. Other specs include a small 2900mAh battery, 15W wired charging, IP65 water resistance, NFC, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and surprisingly, 7.5W wireless charging. Ultimately, the Mode1 Pocket is a niche product for the Japanese market, where its LCD screen seems more a matter of cost control than a feature for eye-care advocates.
The Hope for LCD Lies with BOE and Others?
While the Mode1 Pocket may be underwhelming, the real hope for LCD technology might be brewing in the supply chain. Recently, BOE officially announced a new high-end mobile display solution based on its ADS Pro technology. This solution promises significant upgrades, including a peak brightness of 1500 nits, a smooth 144Hz refresh rate, 20% lower power consumption, and an under-display light sensor enabling ultra-narrow bezels. Furthermore, rumors suggest another Chinese screen manufacturer is sampling a flagship-grade 1.5K LCD panel with a high adaptive refresh rate and slim borders. If these developments are true, it means that building a flagship LCD phone with an experience comparable to OLED is now technologically feasible. The question is, which brand will take the leap? Honor, with its focus on eye-care technology, and Motorola, known for its market-disrupting strategies, seem like potential candidates.
Is a True Eye-Care Phone Just a Fantasy?
We can envision an ideal LCD phone: a 1.5K 144Hz screen, a powerful processor, a massive 7000mAh+ battery, and a great camera system. However, reality presents challenges. A high-end LCD phone would likely be thicker and heavier than its OLED counterpart due to the backlight module. It would also have to forgo an under-display fingerprint sensor for a side-mounted or rear one, making it feel less like a modern flagship. This represents a significant business risk that most major manufacturers are unwilling to take.
Meanwhile, the "eye-care" conversation has evolved beyond a simple DC vs. PWM dimming debate. Mainstream OLEDs have improved significantly with high-frequency PWM dimming, low blue light technology, and adaptive displays. Eye health is influenced more by usage habits and duration than by screen type alone. Therefore, the real victory for LCD proponents may not be the arrival of a perfect LCD phone, but how their persistent advocacy has pushed the entire industry to prioritize developing healthier display technologies for all consumers. Ultimately, this progress is far more important than the screen material itself.
