Jolla Unveils Linux: Smartphone With Physical Privacy Switch
Credit: Jolla
Recently, Finnish company Jolla announced the release of a new smartphone based on Sailfish OS. The model will succeed the very first Jolla Phone, released back in 2013.
The Jolla Phone’s specifications include a MediaTek SoC, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. The display is a 6.36-inch FullHD AMOLED with a pixel density of 390 ppi and Gorilla Glass protection. The rear panel features two cameras: a 50MP main camera and a 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera. The front camera’s resolution is not disclosed.
The 5,500 mAh battery is removable, as is the back panel, which will be available in three colors: Snow White, Kaamos Black, and The Orange. Other features include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, NFC, 5G, dual-SIM support, and a physical privacy switch that allows you to disable the microphone, camera, and Bluetooth.
Initially, Sailfish was positioned as a system with “natural multitasking,” allowing users to quickly access functions with minimal screen interaction. The familiar control buttons were replaced by multiple swipes, and home screens were replaced by a vertical ribbon, the main one containing a menu of running applications (similar to BlackBerry OS). Like Android and iOS, Sailfish allowed apps to be organized into folders, but instead of miniature icons, the folders simply displayed the number of apps hidden within, which was considered inconvenient. However, from the very first versions, the system could launch Android apps, although only those that didn’t require Google services.
The Jolla Phone will be available for pre-order at €500, and will be sold only in the European Union, the UK, Norway, and Switzerland. As was the case twelve years ago, it’s difficult to talk about the smartphone fully competing with Android devices, but the fact that the company has already reached the minimum pre-order requirement of 2,000 units suggests there is demand for such solutions.
