In a mobile market long dominated by Android and iOS, a familiar name from the past is making a surprising comeback. Finnish company Jolla, after years of relative quiet, has announced a new smartphone that champions a philosophy increasingly rare in modern devices: user privacy, repairability, and software independence. This isn't just another Android skin; it's a bold attempt to revive a European alternative in a field where many have failed.
A Hardware Throwback with Modern Internals
The new Jolla Phone presents a curious blend of nostalgic design and contemporary specifications. In a move that will delight tinkerers, the phone features a removable back cover and a user-replaceable 5,500mAh battery—a design choice largely abandoned by the industry over a decade ago. This stands in stark contrast to its modern core components. The device is equipped with a 6.36-inch Full HD AMOLED display protected by Gorilla Glass and is powered by a MediaTek system-on-chip (SoC) paired with 12GB of RAM. It offers 256GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card up to 2TB, and supports 5G connectivity with dual nano-SIM slots.
Key Specifications of the Jolla Phone
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.36-inch FHD AMOLED, Gorilla Glass |
| Chipset | MediaTek SoC (model unspecified) |
| RAM | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, expandable via microSD (up to 2TB) |
| Battery | 5,500mAh, user-replaceable |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide |
| Front Camera | Unspecified resolution |
| Connectivity | 5G, Dual nano-SIM, NFC |
| OS | Sailfish OS 5 (Android app compatible) |
| Special Feature | Physical privacy switch |
| Software Support | Minimum 5 years |
The Heart of the Device: Sailfish OS 5
The true differentiator of the Jolla Phone is its operating system, Sailfish OS 5. Jolla bills this Linux-based platform as "the only commercially successful European mobile operating system," a survivor from an era that saw the demise of Symbian, MeeGo, and Windows Phone. The company emphasizes a privacy-first approach, stating the OS contains no trackers, no background data collection, and no Google Play Services. Despite this isolation, practicality is addressed through Android application compatibility, allowing users to access essential apps. Jolla has committed to providing a minimum of five years of software support for the device.
A Physical Guarantee of Privacy
A unique and headline-grabbing feature is the physical "privacy switch" located on the phone's left side. This hardware button allows users to instantly disable key sensors and functions, including the microphone, camera, Bluetooth, and even Android app access. This provides a tangible, software-independent assurance against unauthorized surveillance, a feature that resonates strongly in today's climate of digital privacy concerns.
Market Strategy and Availability
Jolla is adopting a cautious, community-driven approach to bringing this phone to market. The device is currently available for pre-order with a EUR 99 deposit. The company has set a production threshold of 2,000 pre-orders by January 4, 2026; if this goal is met, early supporters will pay a discounted price of EUR 499. The regular retail price is expected to be between EUR 599 and EUR 699. As of early December 2025, Jolla has reported crossing the halfway mark for its pre-order goal, indicating a likely path to production, though initial availability will be limited to Europe.
Pricing & Availability
- Pre-order Deposit: EUR 99
- Early Bird Price: EUR 499 (for successful pre-orders)
- Expected Retail Price: EUR 599 – EUR 699
- Production Condition: Requires 2,000 pre-orders by January 4, 2026.
- Initial Market: Europe only.
- Current Status (as of early Dec 2025): Pre-order goal is "more than half" met.
Positioning in a Consolidated Market
The launch of the Jolla Phone is more than a product release; it's a statement. In a world where mobile operating systems have consolidated into essentially two giants, Jolla is positioning Sailfish OS as the sole European contender. The phone's blend of a repairable design, a privacy-centric OS, and a physical kill switch targets a specific niche: users deeply concerned about data ownership and longevity in an era of sealed devices and ecosystem lock-in. Whether this niche is large enough to sustain Jolla's latest venture remains to be seen, but its successful pre-order campaign suggests there is a dedicated audience eager for an alternative.