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Light Phone III vs Mudita Kompakt

Checked against the makers' own pages · Last reviewed October 15, 2026

At a glance

See the full spec tables on our Light Phone III and Mudita Kompakt pages. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Screen: AMOLED vs E Ink

The Light Phone III uses a 3.92-inch AMOLED screen (1080 x 1240) under matte glass. Light says the LightOS interface is "intentionally limited to black & white," and that it chose custom etched matte glass to keep "the essence" of the E Ink screen on its older Light Phone II. A wheel adjusts the screen brightness, and clicking it turns on the flashlight.

The Kompakt uses a 4.3-inch E Ink screen (800 x 480), the paper-like display type used in e-readers. Mudita says it "remains clear and readable even in bright sunlight" and has "low power consumption." Photos show in black and white on the Kompakt's screen but are "in full color when sent to other devices," Mudita says. [1][2][5][8]

Software and apps

Light Phone III. There is no app store. You add or remove tools from Light's dashboard website. As of Light's Sept. 15, 2026 tool list, they are: alarm, calculator, music, podcasts, notes, calendar, hotspot, timer, directory (business search) and directions, plus album, rideshare (Lyft and Uber), weather and an authenticator for two-factor codes on the Light Phone III. Light opened a developer program this summer and built its Weather, Authenticator and Rideshare tools with the same kit. In October 2026 it opened submissions for a community Tool Library of "Light-approved tools, created by the community," which it expects to go live in November; Light says the library "is not an app store." Light also says a Developer Mode in the dashboard "will allow you to side-load whatever APK you'd like," but that apps not built with its kit "may not work well (or at all)" on the Light Phone III. Light says the phone "will never have social media, internet browsing, email, news, or ads."

Mudita Kompakt. MuditaOS K comes with Mudita's own apps: phone, messages, offline maps with turn-by-turn voice guidance, a music player, an e-book reader (EPUB and PDF), weather, notes, voice recorder, calculator, chess, a meditation timer and an app manager. There is no app store, but because MuditaOS K is "based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP)," you can install Android app files (APKs) through the Mudita Center desktop app over a USB-C cable. Mudita warns that sideloaded apps "are not optimized for Kompakt's unique E Ink screen and may not always work as intended," that apps depending on Google services "will likely not function correctly," and that problems caused by sideloading aren't covered by the warranty.

Maps. The Kompakt's maps work offline, per Mudita. Light's Directions tool gives turn-by-turn directions using GPS, but Light says you "will not be able to create routes without a data connection."

Hotspot. Both phones can share their mobile data as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Languages. Light says the Light Phone III supports only an English keyboard and interface for now, though it can display incoming messages in other languages. Mudita's spec table lists nine interface languages (Czech added in MuditaOS K 1.5.0), and its MuditaOS K 1.6 update (Aug. 27, 2026) expanded the keyboard to 38 languages. [1][3][4][5][7][9][10][11][12]

Messaging and calls

Both phones text over your carrier with SMS and MMS (picture messages). Light says the Light Phone III "can send and view images in text messages" and supports voice-to-text. Mudita lists VoLTE (calls over 4G), Wi-Fi calling and MMS for the Kompakt, and its 1.6 update added voicemail on supported networks, "particularly in the United States and North America."

Neither phone ships with WhatsApp or Signal. Light says there is "not currently" a way to call or message with Signal or WhatsApp and that such features "may be possible in future software updates"; its developer page says it is building "our own Signal tool." Mudita says the Kompakt "does not include a dedicated messaging app like WhatsApp or Signal" and that adding one "will depend on technical feasibility and user feedback." On the Kompakt you can try sideloading a messaging app yourself today, subject to the limits above. Light's Developer Mode sideloading is described as a coming feature, with the same kind of warning about apps not built for the phone. [1][5][7][12][13]

Camera

The Light Phone III has a 50MP rear sensor that saves 12MP photos by default (4,000 x 3,000 pixels), with center focus and a fixed focal length of about 28mm equivalent. A two-step shutter button focuses on a half-press and shoots on a full press, and photos are in color even though the interface is black and white. It also has an 8MP front camera, which Light says is for future features such as video calls that "are not yet available."

The Kompakt has an 8MP rear camera with a dual-color flash, which Mudita pitches for capturing memories and digitizing documents. Mudita's spec list shows no front camera. [1][2][5]

Battery, size and durability

The Light Phone III has an 1800 mAh battery. Light says it is "too early" to estimate battery life precisely but that it "should last through a full day of normal usage, and hopefully much more." The Kompakt has a 3300 mAh battery that Mudita says lasts "up to 6 days in standby mode," and it adds wireless charging up to 10 W.

The Light Phone III measures 106 x 71.5 x 12 mm and weighs 124 g; the Kompakt measures 128 x 70 x 12.6 mm and weighs 164 g. Both are rated IP54 for dust and splashes. Light uses a recycled aluminum body; Mudita lists a reinforced internal metal frame. [1][2][5][8]

Repairs and batteries

Light says it added "a removable battery cover to make replacing the battery possible in the future," and plans to offer replacement batteries "for users that feel comfortable swapping themselves" or to replace them through its repair service. Its FAQ says it expects to offer at least screen and USB port repair and battery replacement, "both for purchase and as a service," and that it is still working out the details.

Mudita sells an original 3300 mAh Kompakt replacement battery for $19 in its spare parts store (shown out of stock with a "notify me" button on Oct. 15, 2026). The same page warns that having the phone serviced "by anyone other than our authorized technicians will void the warranty." Mudita gives the Kompakt a 2-year warranty. [1][5][8][14]

Privacy claims (from the makers)

Light says the Light Phone III will never have social media, browsing, email, news or ads. Some tools use outside services: Light says its Directory tool uses the Google Places API, "like with Directions or voice-to-text," with Light paying for it, and that "there is no user identifiable information ever shared."

Mudita says MuditaOS K means "no tracking, no ads," and that "we never track you, show ads, or sell your personal data." The Kompakt has a dedicated button for Offline+ Mode, which Mudita says cuts the microphones and the cellular modem in hardware and turns off the camera, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in software. Mudita notes that emergency calls can't be made while Offline+ is on.

These are the makers' own statements; we haven't tested them. [1][5][15]

Updates

Mudita promises "5 years of software and security updates" for the Kompakt. Its latest release is MuditaOS K 1.6, announced Aug. 27, 2026; Mudita's release notes say version 1.6.1 is the one that reached all users.

Light has not published a fixed number of years of updates on the pages we checked. Its change log lists LightOS v582 on Sept. 15, 2026 (adding the Rideshare tool), after six earlier Light Phone III releases in 2026, from January through August. [5][12][16][17]

US carriers and bands

Light Phone III. One model is sold worldwide, with 4G LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 and 71 and 5G bands including n2, n5, n25, n41, n66, n71 and n77. On Oct. 15, 2026, Light's compatibility checker listed these US carriers as working: Light's own service, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon ("certification in progress"), Noble Mobile, Mint and US Mobile ("Light Speed only"). It listed Google Fi, Cricket, Metro by T-Mobile, Spectrum, Xfinity, Straight Talk, Tracfone, Consumer Cellular and others as not compatible, and Light says it doesn't accept returns for lack of carrier support if your carrier isn't listed. The phone takes a nano-SIM and an eSIM; Light calls eSIM a beta feature that is "NOT yet working with Verizon, pending certification."

Mudita Kompakt. Orders shipped to the US or Canada get the North American version, which Mudita says is "FCC and PTCRB certified," with 4G LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 25, 26, 66 and 71 (FDD) and 34, 38, 40 and 41 (TDD), plus VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling. Mudita doesn't publish a US carrier list for this version; it says to compare your carrier's bands with the phone's. It says its tests in Chicago, Detroit and Orlando confirmed that even the Global version "works with major networks like AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon." The Kompakt has a nano-SIM slot, a hybrid slot (second SIM or microSD) and an eSIM.

By the bands. Using the rule in our bands guide, both phones' published LTE bands include 2, 4, 12, 13, 66 and 71, which meet that guide's band rule for AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Band fit doesn't guarantee a carrier will activate a phone, so check with your carrier, especially a smaller one. [1][5][18][19][20]

Price, ordering and shipping

Light Phone III. As of Oct. 15, 2026, Light sells it from its online shop for $899 unlocked, or from $59 a month with a two-year Light Service contract, before tax and shipping. It is a pre-order: Light says a new order "is expected to deliver in late December 2026." Light says it "never intentionally" locks the phone. It can only accept returns for defective phones, and refunds in full for orders canceled before shipping. Light's optional US service costs $25 a month (unlimited calls and texts, 1GB of data) or $45 a month (unlimited data, slowed after 22GB), plus tax.

Mudita Kompakt. On Oct. 15, 2026, Mudita's store listed the North American version at $399.00 with free shipping and an "Add to Cart" button, with delivery quoted at 5-7 days outside the EU. Mudita sells it directly, with no carrier involved. Its standard return window is 14 days; the store showed a promotion extending it to 30 days. [1][5][6][21]

Which fits whom (by stated features)

We don't pick a winner. Matching each phone's published features to common needs:

• You want a paper-like E Ink screen: the Kompakt has one; the Light Phone III uses AMOLED with a black-and-white interface.
• You need one or two specific Android apps (a bank, a ride app, a messenger): the Kompakt can sideload Android apps now, with Mudita's warning that many may not work well. The Light Phone III runs Light's tools, which include rideshare and an authenticator; Light says a Developer Mode will allow sideloading APKs, with a warning that apps not built with its kit may not work.
• You need maps without signal: Mudita lists offline maps; Light's Directions needs a data connection to create a route.
• You want 5G or a sharper camera sensor: the Light Phone III has 5G and a 50MP sensor; the Kompakt is 4G with an 8MP camera.
• Battery life between charges matters most: Mudita quotes up to 6 days on standby from 3300 mAh; Light says its 1800 mAh battery should last a full day of normal use.
• You want a headphone jack, memory card or wireless charging: the Kompakt lists all three; the Light Phone III lists none of them.
• Budget and timing: $399 and on sale now (Kompakt) vs $899 and shipping in late December 2026 (Light Phone III).
• Verizon: Light lists Verizon as "certification in progress"; Mudita says its tests confirmed the Kompakt works on Verizon.

Compare both with other minimalist phones on our minimalist phones page, including the Light Flip and Punkt MP02. [1][2][3][5][7][9][18]

Questions people ask