I’ve been flirting with an e-ink minimalist device for over a year, but none of them have really scratched the itches of what I wanted, didn’t want but ultimately needed. When I found the Kompakt with its minimalist focus but ability to sideload - and frankly I personally didn’t care about the de-googling, I thought it was the best balance.
I ordered the phone based on the VIP discount and after the (slightly over) week wait for delivery, am quite pleased.
I enjoy tech tinkering, so had no issue with a few peculiarities of getting some apps to work. I have it as my daily driver and was able to get Whatsapp, fairmail, Qobuz (preferred portable music streamer), BlueOS (home hifi streaming), Libby and Kindle (books) and calmcast (podcasts) to work perfectly.
I honestly don’t know what else I need. My car has a native map/navigation. I’m still adapting to the habit of grabbing my phone during the day for nothing and the anxiety of not always being connected but I like the adaptation.