The Origin of the MP01 – Punkt.’s Anti-Smartphone Icon

Q: How can I find the MP01 manual and instructions?

You can find them in the Product Archive Support Center .

The Punkt. MP01 2G mobile phone, 2011–2023

A mobile phone for real connection

Minimalist mobile phone Punkt MP01 black on a newspaper background, with elegant design and clearly visible physical buttons.

The vision behind the MP01 2G mobile phone

In 2015, smartphones had become all-consuming: always connected, always demanding, always on. Punkt.’s founder, Petter Neby, believed there was another way. What if a mobile phone could be simple again, just calls, texts, and nothing more?

The result was the Punkt. MP01: a minimalist phone designed for clarity, calm, and connection. Not connection to the internet, but connection to real life.

The MP01 was created in collaboration with renowned industrial designer Jasper Morrison, who shared our belief in technology that serves the user, not the other way around. Together, we asked a provocative question:

“What if a phone didn’t want your attention?”

This idea, radical at the time, helped spark the now growing movement toward so called 'dumb phones', digital minimalism, and privacy-first technology.

Punkt MP01 black phone partially tucked into a fabric bag pocket, highlighting its portability.

Punkt MP01 black phone resting on an open book, showcasing its minimalist design and tactile keypad.

A Design Icon for the Digital Age

The MP01 was instantly recognisable. Its compact form, satisfying buttons, and clear interface made it both useful and beautiful. Morrison’s design principles, simplicity, clarity, and utility, were present in every detail. The MP01 mobile phone wasn’t designed to impress with features. It was designed to disappear into your life.

Designed in Switzerland, produced with precision
Long battery life and robust construction
Crisp audio for voice calls
Elegant monochrome display
No apps, camera, or internet connectivity
Custom OS and menu system, purpose-built for ease of use

Front and back view of the Punkt. MP01 mobile phone in brown. The front screen displays an incoming call from “Paul – Home.” The phone features a minimalist keypad and a textured back cover.

A Phone Without Distractions

The MP01, didn’t interrupt. It didn’t track. It simply did what a phone was meant to do, and did it well.

In a world obsessed with more, the MP01 offered less. That made it rare. And it made it essential.

Over the years, the MP01 appeared in books, magazines, and documentaries about digital wellness, tech-life balance, and intentional living. It helped open the door for a new generation of minimalist phones, and a rethinking of what we expect from our devices.

Angled view of the Punkt. MP01 mobile phone in brown, shown upright against a white background. The screen displays an incoming call from “Paul – Home.” The minimalist design and keypad layout are clearly visible.

Design with Purpose, Not Distraction

Available in Black, Brown, and the White, it quietly became a cult object among people seeking a simple phone, creatives, writers, executives, and digital minimalists.

For many, the Punkt. MP01 wasn’t a downgrade from a smartphone. It was an upgrade in quality of life.

The Legacy Lives on

Though production of the MP01 officially ended in 2023, its impact continues. The phone directly inspired the development of the MP02, our 4G privacy-first mobile phone, offering secure messaging and advanced functionality while remaining true to the minimal MP01 philosophy.

The Punkt. MP01 reminded the world that a mobile phone doesn’t have to be 'smart', it just has to be thoughtfully designed.