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posted by hubie on Wednesday December 31, @07:46PM   Printer-friendly

Over 3,200 backers secure the future of Jolla's upcoming Linux phone, pushing the project beyond its initial funding milestone:

Just a few days ago, we reported on Jolla's push for a new Linux phone, which needed at least 2,000 pre-orders to move forward. Now, only days later, there's good news: interest in the device has surpassed all expectations.

Jolla's community-funded smartphone project has cleared its production threshold, securing more than 3,200 pre-orders. The strong response ensures that the new Linux phone, developed under the Do It Together (DIT) model, will move forward into manufacturing, with Batch #1 already sold out and Batch #2 now available.

The device is positioned as an independent European Linux phone shaped directly by its users. Pre-orders require a €99 refundable deposit, deducted from the final price of €549 for Batch #2. Markets include the EU, UK, Norway, and Switzerland. According to Jolla, Batch #1 sold out in under 48 hours.

Let's recall the device's hardware specifications. It features a 6.36-inch Full HD AMOLED display, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage with microSD expansion, and a high-performance 5G MediaTek platform, powered by Sailfish OS, a privacy-focused Linux-based mobile operating system that offers an alternative to mainstream Android and iOS.

The phone also includes a 50MP main camera, user-replaceable 5,500mAh battery, dual nano-SIM support, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and a fingerprint reader, as Jolla guarantees a minimum of five years of OS updates and availability of spare components, including back covers and batteries.

The pre-order campaign remains open until January 4, 2026, but once again, the funding goal has already been exceeded by a wide margin, reaching roughly 160 percent. Production will commence once Batch #1 is delivered, with first units expected by the end of the first half of 2026.

For more information, visit Jolla's website.

Previously: New Jolla Phone Now Available for Pre-Order as an Independent Linux Phone


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New Jolla Phone Now Available for Pre-Order as an Independent Linux Phone 22 comments

The Linux phone features 12GB RAM, up to 2TB storage, a 6.36-inch FullHD AMOLED display, and a user-replaceable 5,500mAh battery:

Jolla kicked off a campaign for a new Jolla Phone, which they call the independent European Do It Together (DIT) Linux phone, shaped by the people who use it.

The new Jolla Phone is powered by a high-performing Mediatek 5G SoC, and features 12GB RAM, 256GB storage that can be expanded to up to 2TB with a microSDXC card, a 6.36-inch FullHD AMOLED display with ~390ppi, 20:9 aspect ratio, and Gorilla Glass, and a user-replaceable 5,500mAh battery.

The Linux phone also features 4G/5G support with dual nano-SIM and a global roaming modem configuration, Wi-Fi 6 wireless, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, 50MP Wide and 13MP Ultrawide main cameras, front front-facing wide-lens selfie camera, fingerprint reader on the power key, a user-changeable back cover, and an RGB indication LED.

On top of that, the new Jolla Phone promises a user-configurable physical Privacy Switch that lets you turn off the microphone, Bluetooth, Android apps, or whatever you wish.

The device will be available in three colors, including Snow White, Kaamos Black, and The Orange. All the specs of the new Jolla Phone were voted on by Sailfish OS community members over the past few months.

Honouring the original Jolla Phone form factor and design, the new model ships with the Sailfish OS (with support for Android apps), a Linux-based European alternative to dominating mobile operating systems, and promises a minimum of 5 years of support, no tracking, no calling home, and no hidden analytics.

"Mainstream phones send vast amounts of background data. A common Android phone sends megabytes of data per day to Google even if the device is not used at all. Sailfish OS stays silent unless you explicitly allow connections," said Jolla.

The new Jolla Phone is now available for pre-order for 99 EUR and will only be produced if at least 2000 pre-orders are reached in one month from today [goal met on 7 December -- Ed.], until January 4th, 2026. The full price of the Linux phone will be 499 EUR (incl. local VAT), and the 99 EUR pre-order price will be fully refundable and deducted from the full price.

The device will be manufactured and sold in Europe, but Jolla says that it will design the cellular band configuration to enable global travelling as much as possible, including e.g. roaming in the U.S. carrier networks. The initial sales markets are the EU, the UK, Switzerland, and Norway.

TECH SPECS:

        SoC: High performant Mediatek 5G platform
        RAM: 12GB
        Storage: 256GB + expandable with microSDXC
        Cellular: 4G + 5G with dual nano-SIM and global roaming modem configuration
        Display: 6.36" ~390ppi FullHD AMOLED, aspect ratio 20:9, Gorilla Glass
        Cameras: 50MP Wide + 13MP Ultrawide main cameras, front facing wide-lens selfie camera
        Battery: approx. 5,500mAh, user replaceable
        Connectivity: WiFi 6, BT 5.4, NFC
        Dimensions: ~158 x 74 x 9mm
        Other: Power key fingerprint reader, user changeable backcover, RGB indication LED, Privacy Switch

Privacy by Design

        No tracking, no calling home, no hidden analytics
        User configurable physical Privacy Switch - turn off you microphone, bluetooth, Android apps, or whatever you wish

Scandinavian styling in its pure form

        Honouring the original Jolla Phone form factor and design
        Replaceable back cover
        Available in three distinct colours inspired by Nordic nature

Performance Meets Privacy

        5G with dual nano-SIM
        12GB RAM and 256GB storage expandable up to 2TB
        Sailfish OS 5
        Support for Android apps with Jolla AppSupport
        User replaceable back cover with colour options
        User replaceable battery
        Physical Privacy Switch


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  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by MonkeypoxBugChaser on Wednesday December 31, @11:23PM

    by MonkeypoxBugChaser (17904) on Wednesday December 31, @11:23PM (#1428383) Homepage Journal

    I know what I'll be buying when it hits the used market.. at least if it works with the carriers here. The $99 is about what I pay for my phones now so $600 is too rich for my blood.

  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by Bentonite on Thursday January 01, @10:35AM

    by Bentonite (56146) on Thursday January 01, @10:35AM (#1428414)

    >Look inside
    >GNU/Linux with support for Android software, but not a decent LiGNUx distro - SailfishOS seriously uses proprietary libraries for the user interface.

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