The Balance Phone is a Samsung smartphone with a custom operating system that blocks social media, games, streaming and adult content at the system level.
WhatsApp works. Banking works. Google Maps works. But TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Netflix don't. And there's nothing you can do about that from the phone itself.
If you've ever set a Screen Time limit and then tapped "ignore for today" within five minutes, you already know why a phone like this exists.
It's been around since 2024 and has quietly become one of the more talked-about options in the digital minimalism and dumb phone communities.
In this post
What is the Balance Phone?
The Balance Phone is a Samsung Galaxy A16 with a custom operating system called Balance OS installed before it ships to you.
Balance OS blocks an entire category of apps and websites: social media, games, gambling, streaming, adult content and dating. Everything else stays fully available, including messaging, email, maps, banking, music and travel apps.
The interface is different too.
Instead of the usual grid of app icons and constant notification badges, Balance OS uses a clean, text-based layout with no visual noise. It's designed to feel calm and focused.
The key thing that makes it different from just deleting apps or using Screen Time is that you can't undo it yourself. Balance OS is installed at the hardware level, which means the restrictions are locked in.
If you want them removed, you have to contact Balance directly. There's no "ignore for today" button.
Quick Specs:
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Price: £269 / €289
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Storage: 128GB / 4GB RAM
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Camera: 50MP rear / 13MP front
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Charging port: USB-C
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Dual SIM: Yes
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Availability: Worldwide
What's blocked (and what isn't)
Balance blocks by category, not by individual app. Anything that falls into social media, gaming, gambling, streaming, adult content or dating is out.
Here's how that plays out in practice:
| Blocked | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, X/Twitter | WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal (including group chats and calls) |
| YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, Twitch | Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal |
| Mobile games (all categories) | Google Maps, Waze, Uber, Citymapper |
| Gambling and betting apps | Gmail, Outlook, Teams, Slack |
| Dating apps (Tinder, Hinge, Bumble) | Most banking apps, Revolut, Monzo |
| Adult content websites | Booking, Trainline, Ryanair, Ticketmaster |
| Reddit and most social forums | Google Classroom, Notion, Drive, Calendar |
| Browser-based social media | Chrome and Ecosia (with the same filtering applied) |
The browser situation is worth knowing about. You can use Chrome or Ecosia, but the same blocking rules apply there too. Opening instagram.com in Chrome won't work.
Price and what you get
There are three ways to get Balance OS:
| Product | GBP | EUR | USD | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance Phone | £269 | €289 | (not available) | Samsung Galaxy A16 + Balance OS for life |
| Balance Phone Pro | £609 | €699 | $695 | Samsung Galaxy S25 + Balance OS for life |
| Balance OS only | £69/yr | €79/yr | $99/yr | Balance OS subscription for a compatible Samsung you already own |
Every phone comes with a USB-C charging cable, Balance OS included for the lifetime of the device, a 14-day return window and a 3-year warranty. The wall adapter is not included, so add one at checkout if you need it.
The subscription option makes sense if you already own a compatible Samsung. At £69/year versus £269 upfront, it breaks even around the four-year mark. The trade-off is that it requires a factory reset to install, and the OS only stays active while the subscription is running.
Use code WHATIFIDIDNT10 at checkout for £9 off in the UK, €10 off in Europe, or $10 off in the US.
Balance Phone vs Pro: which one should you get?
Both phones run the exact same Balance OS. The difference is entirely the hardware underneath.
The standard model is built on the Samsung Galaxy A16, a solid mid-range phone. The Pro is built on the Samsung Galaxy S25, Samsung's flagship. That's why there's a £340 price difference.
For most people, the standard Balance Phone is the right call. But here's what the extra money actually buys you:
📷 Camera
The standard model has a decent main camera and a basic front camera for calls and selfies. The Pro's cameras are noticeably though better, especially for zoom. It goes up to 30x versus 10x on the standard. It can also shoot 8K video (vs. 1080p on the standard version). If photos and video matter to you, the Pro is a better pick.
🏃 Performance
The Pro has 12GB of RAM versus 4GB on the standard model, and the S25 chip is significantly faster. For a phone that's had most distracting apps removed, you're unlikely to notice the difference in daily use.
🪫 Battery
The standard model actually has a larger battery capacity (5000mAh vs 4000mAh on the Pro). Real-world battery life ends up roughly similar because the S25 chip is more efficient, but the standard model has the edge on paper.
📲 eSIM support
The Pro supports both dual SIM and eSIM. The standard model supports dual SIM only. If you travel frequently and want to add a local SIM without swapping a physical card, the Pro is the only option.
📏 Screen size
The standard model has a 6.7 inch screen. The Pro is slightly smaller at 6.2 inches. This one comes down to personal preference.
Shipping and returns
Shipping costs vary depending on where you are. I ran a few test checkouts to give you a rough idea:
| Location | Standard | Express |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £10 (5-10 days) | £14 (2-5 days) |
| Spain | €10 (1-3 days) | - |
| France | €11.07 | €14.01 |
| Ireland | €12.03 | €17.93 |
| Norway | €12.83 (5-10 days) | - |
| US | $10 (2-5 days) | - |
These may change, so check at checkout for the exact cost to your location. Tax and duty appear to be included for most locations, though it isn't explicitly confirmed for US orders.
Is the Balance Phone good for kids?
This is one of the most common reasons people buy it.
It gives a child everything they actually need from a smartphone: WhatsApp to stay in contact with family and friends, Google Maps to get around, a decent camera, and access to school tools like Google Classroom.
And it removes everything that tends to cause problems and hurt their mental health: social media, games, adult content and gambling.
The restrictions can't be changed from the phone itself. Even a determined, tech-savvy teenager can't go into settings and turn them off.
The main limitation for parents is that Balance doesn't offer remote monitoring or controls. You can't see what your child is doing from your own phone, and you can't adjust their settings remotely.
If you want that level of visibility on top of Balance, they suggest pairing it with something like Google Family Link.
Bottom line: For a first smartphone, especially for a kid who's already shown signs of getting too absorbed in screens, it's one of the more practical options out there.
Balance Phone alternatives
If the Balance Phone isn't quite right, here are the main alternatives worth considering:
| Phone | Price | Ships worldwide | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance Phone | £269 / €289 (~$340) | Yes | Yes | Anyone who needs a capable phone with hard limits |
| Wisephone (review) |
~$399 | Yes | No (US only) | US buyers; curated app approach |
| Light Phone III | ~$599 | No | Limited | People who want the most minimal experience possible |
| Mudita Kompakt (review) |
~€349 | Yes | Yes | People who want an e-Ink, purpose-built minimal device |
| Balance OS (own Samsung) | £69/yr / €79/yr | Yes | Yes | People who already own a Samsung and don't want new hardware |
The Light Phone is the most minimal option but loses too many essential apps for most people. The Wisephone is solid but primarily built for the US market. Mudita is interesting but still relatively new.
For a deeper look at all your options, here's our full list of the best dumb phones.
Verdict: is it worth it?
The Balance Phone does what it says. Social media is gone. Games are gone. YouTube is gone. WhatsApp, banking, maps and Spotify all work. The restrictions are genuinely hard to get around, which is the whole point.
At £269, it's not cheap for what is, hardware-wise, a mid-range Samsung. What you're paying for is the OS layer and the fact that someone else has already made the hard decisions for you.
If you're the kind of person who overrides their own limits, that's worth something.
Get it if...
✅ You've already tried Screen Time, app blockers or willpower and they haven't worked
✅ You need WhatsApp and banking to function normally
✅ You want something that doesn't require ongoing self-discipline to maintain
✅ You're buying a first phone for a child or teenager
Think twice if...
❌ You rely on specific apps that might fall into blocked categories (use the URL checker first)
❌ You're in the US and want the standard model (only the Pro is available there right now)
❌ You want remote parental monitoring
Get your Balance Phone today
The Balance Phone is exclusively available at thebalancephone.com. Get yours today and save on your purchase with discount code WHATIFIDIDNT.
Let's do thisFAQ
What is a Balance Phone?
A Balance Phone is a Samsung smartphone with Balance OS preinstalled. Balance OS blocks social media, gaming, gambling, streaming and adult content at the system level while keeping everything useful: messaging, maps, banking, music and work apps. The interface is also simplified, replacing the usual cluttered home screen with a calm, text-based layout.
What apps are allowed on the Balance Phone?
WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Gmail, Outlook, Teams, Slack, Google Maps, Uber, Waze, Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, most banking apps, Booking, Trainline, Ryanair, Ticketmaster, Strava, Google Classroom and most work and utility apps.
Social media, YouTube, Netflix, games, gambling and dating apps are blocked.
Use the URL checker for anything specific.
Does the Balance Phone have WhatsApp?
Yes. WhatsApp is fully supported, including group chats, voice calls and video calls.
Does Balance Phone allow Spotify?
Yes. Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal are all allowed.
Is YouTube blocked on Balance Phone?
Yes. YouTube falls under the streaming category and is blocked. YouTube Music is blocked too, which is why Spotify and Apple Music are the go-to alternatives.
Can you bypass Balance Phone restrictions?
No. Balance OS is installed at the hardware level and can't be uninstalled from the phone. If you want it removed, you need to contact Balance directly.
How much is the Balance Phone?
The standard Balance Phone is £269 / €289 (unavailable in the U.S. at the moment). The Pro is £609 / €699 / $695. Balance OS as a subscription for your own Samsung is £69 / €79 / $99 per year. Use code WHATIFIDIDNT10 for a discount at checkout.
Who makes the Balance Phone?
Balance Phone is a startup based in Barcelona. The phones run on Samsung hardware through an official partnership.
Is the Balance Phone good for kids?
Yes, it's one of the better options for a first smartphone. Social media, games and adult content are all blocked and can't be changed from the phone. It doesn't have remote parental monitoring, so if you need that, pairing it with Google Family Link is worth considering.
Can I install Balance OS on my existing Samsung?
Yes, if it runs Android 11 or higher and is compatible with Samsung Knox 3.4.1 or above. It costs £69 / €79 / $99 per year and requires a factory reset to set up. Check the compatible devices page before purchasing.
How does Balance Phone compare to just using Screen Time?
Screen Time and Digital Wellbeing let you set limits, but you can always override them from the same phone. Balance OS can't be turned off by the user. It's built for people who already know they'll talk themselves out of software-based limits.
