We have competing trends these days in the world of electronics. On the one hand, you have huge support for ultra minimalist designs. On the other hand, more and more people are demanding Swiss Army Knife-like gadgets that throw in everything but the kitchen sink. It is because of the latter that we’re seeing cell phones invade the MP3 player market. The Neo 808i seems to be heading down the same path, but in the opposite direction.

This Micro Phone looks more like an MP3 player than a cell phone and if it weren’t for the numpad next to the landscape-oriented screen, I would totally believe that this is the latest MP3P/PMP to roll onto the internet. Of course, if you orient it vertically, it looks a little more like a phone (except the keypad is oriented the wrong way).

Neo, based out of the UK and Dubai, is making its cell phone debut with the 808i. Key specs on the tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE Micro Phone include 3D graphics, Bluetooth, 1.3 megapixel camera, 128MB Flash ROM, microSD expansion, messaging, FM radio via GPRS, and an integrated MP3/MP4 player. Too bad there’s no mention of a camera.

No word on pricing, but this incredible tiny (90 grams, 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.3 cm) phone is set for the Middle East and Europe around March ’07.