A frequent traveller asks himself if he needs the Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Mini, a dedicated voice-enabled translator device

It feels like a “mini” phone

Before the Fluentalk T1 Mini reached my doorstep, I already had the impression that this device was going to be tiny, and, well, I was right. This thing is even smaller than my iPhone 4s – and in comparison, my iPhone 15 Pro looks gigantic. I have an affinity for smaller devices, but the Fluentalk T1 Mini comes with such a little footprint that it could be forgotten about when in the pocket. It has the footprint of a credit card.

I put the Fluentalk T1 Mini in my pocket and went to a nearby market, and not even once did I feel like I was carrying a device; it weighs a mere 80 grams. This is a plus point, for sure, because while traveling, you would want a compact device that takes up minimum space in the bag. The device feels solid and well-made, so no complaints on that front.

At first glance, the Fluentalk T1 Mini can be mistaken for a shrunken smartphone from the early 2010s with chunky bezels. The front is all touchscreen, featuring a power button, speakers, a microphone above the screen, a USB-C port, another mic, and a wrist strap hole below it. The left side holds a volume rocker, while the right side has a small button that activates voice translation. The good thing is that there are no unnecessary buttons, which makes for good design. Because the device is so small, I could reach the entire screen while holding it in one hand. However, people with larger hands might have a problem using it. On the rear of the device, you will find a 5-megapixel camera that enables translation from photos.

Tiny display and straightforward interface do the job

The 2.8HD screen is crisp and bright, but not quite as vibrant as the OLED display fitted to my iPhone 15 Pro. Frankly, comparing the two would be a foolish idea due to the different nature and purpose of the devices. Anyway, you won’t be watching a movie or checking your social media feed on a 2.8-inch display. The display is designed to show on-the-go translation in real-time, and I could easily read text both indoors and outdoors. However, I wish the speaker could have been a bit louder, especially in places like loud spaces like airports.

The 2.8HD screen is crisp and bright, but not quite as vibrant as the OLED display fitted to my iPhone 15 Pro. (Anuj Bhatia / Express photo)

The Fluentalk T1 Mini comes with a user interface that looks and behaves like a smartphone, but I doubt it’s based on Android. The interface is simple, and there is no learning curve, which is unlike how you operate Japanese-made translators. If you know how to use a smartphone, then getting used to Fluentalk T1 Mini’s interface would be a piece of cake. However, there is no traditional home screen or a list of apps like you get on a modern smartphone. All you need to do is a few swipes, and you become a master. Swipe right for speech translation, then swipe again for the offline packs and settings, and swipe left for the image which opens the camera. Swiping down from the top of your screen lets you check Wi-Fi, take you to airplane mode, or change the settings and user guide.

Excels in real-time voice translation

Perhaps what drew me to the T1 Mini is the fact that it can translate my voice and provide results in another foreign language that I do not know in seconds. You might want to ask why I can’t use Siri to do the same. Yes, any smartphone can do this job, and that too with accuracy. However, I found a certain difference between how I use Siri for translation vs. the T1 Mini.

Unlike Siri, which only answers my query (say, if I ask Siri: How do I say thank you in Italian; Siri will respond: In Italian, thank you is “Grazie”), the T1 Mini not only translates a full sentence from English to Italian but also gives some context. For instance, “How do I say thank you in Italian? Come si dice grazie in italiano?” That’s the big difference between using Siri for translation and having a dedicated translation device like the T1 Mini. Both are good at translating, but the T1 Mini definitely has an edge. Translations were quick and accurate, something that impressed me. I cross-checked Google Translate to verify how accurate the T1 Mini was. The T1 Mini can handle 39 languages and 88 regional accents, including Hindi. Additionally, the device also comes with support for 13 offline languages, but up to four can be downloaded and installed onto the T1 Mini.

One thing I’d like to point out is that you need to select the languages manually as the device won’t automatically recognise which languages are being spoken and which you want to be translated.

The T1 Mini can also be used for photo translation. Think of a scenario when you are traveling in Paris and need to read the road signs in your language. During my testing, the T1 Mini (which comes with a five-megapixel camera) can translate road signs and billboards, but the results may vary depending on the ambient light. I don’t know how the company managed to offer excellent performance in both spoken and visual translations. But a visit to its website reveals that the T1 Mini uses “Fluentalk’s cutting-edge speech processing technology, and it “surpasses the most top-of-the-line models in the industry with its quick reaction time.”

The Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Mini comes with a five-megapixel camera. (Anuj Bhatia / Express photo)

Free 1-year global data support is a perk

One of the strong features of the Fluentalk T1 Mini, besides its obvious ability to translate in real-time, is access to free one-year global mobile data. You don’t have to buy separate mobile data or insert a SIM card. It’s built-in, and it works as advertised, at least the time I used the device in Delhi, India. For me, it’s a blessing in disguise being a frequent, heavy traveler. Whenever I travel abroad, I always take Airtel’s roaming plan, and it’s worth every penny. Here, Timekettle is giving you free access to mobile data at no additional cost, and that too for a year. That means if you don’t have access to mobile data on your smartphone in those times and in a place where you don’t know the language or the terrain poses a major obstacle, access to free data coverage is a boon.

Now, I haven’t trekked to the Himalayas to test this feature, but the company claims global mobile data will be accessible in over 84 countries and regions, including Nepal. Once the free data has expired, one can always rely on Wi-Fi, tether to a hotspot on your smartphone, or else opt for an optional $14.90/month or $44.90/year mobile data plan for the device directly from the company. Clearly, the latter option is aimed at frequent travelers.

I wish the speaker could have been a bit louder, especially in places like loud spaces like airports. (Anuj Bhatia / Express photo)

Excellent battery life

The battery life is impressive. I tried the device for a week, but not every day and the battery was never an issue. The company claims up to 7 days of standby time. Plus, the battery can be charged using the standard USB-C port, which is a good thing. In fact, I could charge the T1 Mini using the iPhone 15 Pro.

Should you buy the Fluentalk T1 Mini translator device?

To be honest, I liked the T1 Mini. Yes, it costs $150, which is a bit high for a translator when your smartphone is already capable of doing this along with free translation apps. I agree a device like the T1 Mini is a niche product, but it works for someone who is a mountaineer or a trekker willing to pay the price for a translation device. For them, it’s all about how well the device excels in certain conditions where their smartphone can’t perform. Again, I’d like to highlight that the T1 Mini is not a replacement for a smartphone but is trying to be a companion device that is not only pocket-friendly but also excels in translation accuracy.

The Fluentalk T1 Mini can be purchased from Timekettle’s website and Amazon.com.