Zanco Tiny T1 Is The World's Smallest, Zoolander Approved Mobile Phone

What is smaller than your thumb, lighter than a coin, and "ridiculously cute?" The Zanco Tiny T1, of course! Billed as the world's smallest functioning phone, this incredibly small mobile device has surpassed $105,000 in crowd funds on Kickstarter, blowing past its goal of $33,444. Over 1,600 backers have pledged monetary support for the tiny device, and there are still 22 days to go in the crowdfunding effort.

The Zanco Tiny T1 arrives at a time when smartphone makers have been focused on building bigger mobile phones, not smaller ones. Even Apple has focused its efforts in expanding the display on its iPhone line—the iPhone X has a 5.8-inch front display that takes up nearly the entirety of the front of the device, compared to the original iPhone's 3.5-inch display when it launched a decade ago.

In case you are wondering, yes, the Zanco Tiny T1 is real, not a gag. The designers acknowledge that it is a novelty product, but it's also legit. They also mention it can be used as a backup or emergency phone, or when something small and light is preferable when jogging or cycling.

"We’re proud to introduce the world’s smallest mobile phone. It's so tiny, you won’t believe it’s real! It’s the perfect gift for any gadget lover and fits in any bag or pocket no matter how small," the designers state on the phone's Kickstarter page.

Users can make and receive phone calls on the Zanco Tiny T1. They can also text message on its 12.5mm wide OLED display. The phone itself measures 46.7mm tall and 21mm wide, checking in at just 13 grams. It operates on a 2G network, with 180 minutes of talk time and 3 days of standby. There is a nano SIM card slot, micro USB charging port, a small speaker at the top, and a place to attach a lanyard.


We are reminded of that scene in Zoolander when when Ben Stiller whips out a miniature phone. When the movie came out in 2001, phone makers were trying to decrease the size of bulky handsets for better portability. Motorola's first Razr flip phone, released a couple of years later, was especially popular for its thin profile and short stature when folded shut.

As for the Zanco Tiny T1, the designers are not price gouging—there are still Early Bird slots available with the phone priced at £35 (around $47). Regular pricing is £39 (around $52). In addition to the phone itself, it comes with a charging cable, user manual, and warranty card.