In a mobile market dominated by Android and iOS, Finnish company Jolla has re-emerged with a bold proposition: a smartphone built around user privacy and control. The newly announced Jolla Phone, running the Linux-based Sailfish OS 5, has already surpassed its initial crowdfunding target, signaling interest in an alternative path. This device challenges modern smartphone conventions by reviving features like a user-replaceable battery and adding a physical privacy switch, all while promising independence from the data ecosystems of major tech giants.
A Return to Independence with Sailfish OS 5
Jolla's core proposition is its operating system, Sailfish OS 5. Described by the company as running on "actual Linux," it positions itself as a privacy-focused, European alternative to mainstream platforms. The OS is designed to avoid the background data transmission and hidden analytics common in other systems, and it notably does not require a Google account. For users concerned about digital sovereignty, Jolla emphasizes that data is not processed or stored "on someone else's terms." A key feature of Sailfish OS 5 is its upgraded Android app support, now based on Android 13, which allows access to a vast library of applications while maintaining the core privacy and independence of the Sailfish environment.
Hardware Built for Control and Longevity
The Jolla Phone's hardware design philosophy mirrors its software ethos, prioritizing user repairability and control. The standout feature is a 5,500mAh user-replaceable battery, a rarity in today's smartphone landscape that promises to extend the device's usable life significantly. Complementing this is a replaceable back cover, offered in three colors: Snow White, Kaamos Black, and The Orange. Another critical hardware element is the physical privacy switch, which allows users to mechanically disable the microphone, cameras, Bluetooth, or other sensors at will. The phone is powered by an unspecified MediaTek 5G chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage via a microSD card slot.
Key Specifications of the Jolla Phone
- OS: Sailfish OS 5 (Linux-based, with Android 13 app support)
- Display: 6.36-inch FHD+ (1080p) OLED, 20:9 aspect ratio, Corning Gorilla Glass
- Chipset: Unspecified MediaTek 5G SoC
- Memory: 12GB RAM, 256GB internal storage (expandable via microSD)
- Rear Cameras: 50MP primary, 13MP ultrawide
- Battery: 5,500mAh (user-replaceable)
- Key Features: Physical privacy switch, removable back cover, side fingerprint sensor, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, notification LED
- OS Support: Minimum 5 years of updates
Specifications and Market Positioning
The device features a 6.36-inch FHD+ OLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. For photography, it employs a dual-camera system on the rear with a 50MP primary sensor and a 13MP ultrawide lens, though details on the front-facing camera are currently unspecified. Other features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and a notification LED. Jolla commits to providing a minimum of five years of OS support for the device. The company has adopted a conditional production model, stating the phone will only be manufactured if 2,000 pre-orders were secured by January 4, 2026. This goal was met and exceeded within the launch weekend, with over 2,630 pre-orders recorded as of December 8.
Pricing & Availability Timeline
- Pre-order Deposit: €99
- Final Pre-order Price: €549 (~$639)
- Expected Retail Price: €599 - €699
- Pre-order Goal: 2,000 units (Exceeded: 2,630+ as of Dec 8, 2025)
- Pre-order Deadline: January 4, 2026
- Estimated Delivery: End of H1 2026 (e.g., June 2026)
- Initial Markets: UK, Norway, Switzerland, EU
Pricing, Availability, and Future Prospects
The Jolla Phone is being offered through a pre-order system. An initial deposit of €99 (approx. $116) secures a unit, which is then deducted from the final pre-order price of €549 (approx. $639). Jolla notes that the expected retail price after the pre-order period will be between €599 and €699. Pre-order customers are promised a special edition back cover. If production proceeds as planned, estimated delivery is set for the end of the first half of 2026. Initial availability is targeted at the UK, Norway, Switzerland, and the European Union, with potential expansion to other markets based on demand. The successful pre-order campaign suggests there is a dedicated niche of consumers eager for a smartphone that prioritizes privacy, repairability, and software independence over mainstream conveniences.