The Sundial works great as a media controller, but one thing keeps happening: when my phone is locked in my pocket, an accidental press of the center button starts Apple Music.
Could we have an option to ignore the center button when the screen is off and no media is already playing? That would prevent accidental playback while keeping the physical controls intact.
I remember seeing an older post (I think the Sundial announcement) mentioning a bundle with 3 silicone cases + 3 keyboard tiles for $100.
How can I get that bundle on the website? I couldn’t find an option to add it.
Also, it would be great if you could ship directly to the UAE. I had my Sidephone shipped to Oman first and then forwarded to the UAE. It worked, but doing that every time for accessories is a hassle.
I received my Sidephone this week, and now that more people are getting theirs internationally, I wanted to share some early thoughts.
I tried switching to Android and flip phones several times, but they always pulled me back into the same smartphone habits. Modern phones are designed to keep you engaged from the moment you wake up until you sleep. For me, it wasn’t the apps themselves—it was the constant anxiety of checking notifications, Instagram, and endless doomscrolling.
I almost bought the Light Phone because the hardware and industrial design are beautiful (I’m a designer, so that matters to me). But I chose Sidephone because it lets me keep the few apps I genuinely need while making them inconvenient enough that I don’t want to spend hours on them. That balance is exactly what I was looking for.
Overall, I’m happy with it. The software bugs will improve over time, but the biggest area that needs attention is typing.
A couple of ideas:
Voice-only keyboard. A minimal keyboard with just a microphone, backspace, and send/OK button. It would take almost no screen space and would be perfect for Sundial or gamepad users. The full keyboard could still be available whenever needed for passwords or manual typing.
Better notification center. Notifications are too easy to miss, and the current layout gives too much space to controls instead of the notifications themselves. A redesign here would make a big difference.
Really enjoying the philosophy behind the Sidephone. Looking forward to seeing how the software evolves.
Does Sidephone have a personal hotspot feature to connect another iPad or mac to access internet?
After reading a lot of comments and comparisons between the ROX 01 and Leopard 8, I noticed something interesting:
Almost nobody is talking about the actual drive systems of these two cars.
People compare them like they belong in the same category, but mechanically and philosophically, they are very different vehicles.
---
Leopard 8 — Traditional Hybrid Approach
The Leopard 8 uses a more conventional hybrid system.
That means:
- The engine can power the wheels
- The battery can also power the wheels
- The car still carries many traditional mechanical components such as:
- Transmission
- Gearbox
- Driveshaft
- Axles
- Other ICE drivetrain parts
So in a way, it combines:
- A traditional petrol vehicle
- An electric vehicle
This setup works well, but it also means the vehicle carries both ICE and EV complexity together.
Personally, I always think:
> More systems + more moving parts = more potential maintenance points long term.
---
Realistic Electric Range Discussion
The Leopard 8 officially offers around 100km EV range.
But realistically:
- Most owners will not charge to 100% daily for battery longevity
- Most owners also avoid draining close to 0%
So practical comfortable EV usage may end up somewhere around:
- 60–80km in daily real-world use
That may still be perfectly fine depending on your driving habits.
---
ROX 01 — EREV System
The ROX 01 uses an EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) system.
This is a very different philosophy.
In the ROX:
- The wheels are primarily driven by electric motors
- The petrol engine mainly works as a generator to recharge the battery when needed
- The driving feel is much closer to a full EV
So instead of feeling like:
> “a petrol car assisted by electricity”
…it feels more like:
> “an electric car supported by a petrol generator.”
That distinction matters a lot in daily driving experience.
---
Why Some People Prefer This Setup
The EREV approach gives a few advantages:
- Smoother EV-like driving feel
- Fewer traditional drivetrain components
- Less range anxiety compared to full EVs
- Can function almost like a pure EV for many people
For example:
If your daily driving is under roughly 200–230km, you could realistically use the ROX mostly on electricity and barely use petrol.
That is a huge advantage for some buyers.
---
UAE Presence & Support
Another thing people rarely mention:
ROX has already started work on their Abu Dhabi production facility, and the company has mentioned plans for UAE-built vehicles in the future.
They also recently opened a major spare parts facility in Jebel Ali, which is honestly important for long-term ownership confidence in this region.
---
Build Quality & Safety
I also think many people are underestimating the build quality of the ROX 01.
This does not feel like the typical “cheap Chinese SUV” stereotype people imagine.
I was shown multiple accident photos at the showroom, and the structural safety performance looked genuinely impressive.
The overall fit, finish, and material quality were also surprisingly good.
---
Design Perspective
As a designer myself, I genuinely think the ROX 01 has one of the best exterior and interior designs among new SUVs right now.
The proportions, details, lighting, and overall design language feel very well thought out.
(Although personally… the ADAMAS interior spec is not really my taste 😂)
---
At the end of the day, both cars may be good depending on what you want.
But I honestly think people should stop comparing them as if they are mechanically identical vehicles — because they are not.