Jolla Phone with Sailfish OS 5: this is the return of the privacy-focused European Linux mobile phone

After years focused almost exclusively on software, the Finnish company Jolla is once again betting on its own hardware with a very particular project: a European smartphone with Sailfish OS 5 and real Linux under the hoodDesigned for those who prioritize privacy and want to move beyond the Android-iOS dichotomy, the new device, currently known simply as the Jolla Phone, revives the philosophy of its first mobile phone from 2013, but updated to meet current demands in connectivity, security, and long-term support.

The company has opted for a prudent and transparent approach: The phone will only be manufactured if it reaches a minimum of 2.000 reservations at €99 each.It's a pre-sale model that blends crowdfunding with real-world demand research. In return, those who support the project gain access to a lower price than the retail price and an edition with exclusive features, while Jolla ensures that the development of this Linux mobile device remains viable within the European market.

A "real" Linux in your pocket: Sailfish OS 5

The heart of the terminal is Sailfish OS 5, the latest evolution of Jolla's mobile operating systemThe company insists that this is not a customized Android, but a system built on a standard Linux kernel, with its own interface and services layer. The message is clear: to offer a European platform, with open source code for many of its components and without the telemetry channels common in major mobile ecosystems.

According to Jolla herself, Sailfish OS 5 does away with intrusive tracking and the constant sending of data to external servers.There are no invisible "home calls" or hidden analytics built in by default. This approach aligns with the European regulatory framework—especially the GDPR—and with a public increasingly wary of the commercial use of their personal information, something they can complement with apps to block trackers in real time.

To avoid forcing users to suddenly give up their usual apps, the system incorporates a optional subsystem capable of running Android applicationsThis is a compatibility layer that allows the installation of Android software from third-party stores, without Google Play or Google services pre-installed. Users can keep this environment active, limit its use, or even disable it completely if they want a "de-Googled" phone, and can rely on solutions for block internet access app by app when you need it.

Jolla has been fine-tuning Sailfish for years on third-party devices, especially some models of Sony Xperia, OnePlus, Samsung, Google or XiaomiWith the support of its community, the experience gained from adapting to multiple hardware platforms is now being applied to a proprietary terminal, where the system and physical design have been defined jointly with the user base.

Current 5G hardware, but with unusual features.

In terms of technical specifications, the new Jolla Phone opts for a configuration that places it in the upper-mid range of the market. It features a 6,36-inch AMOLED screen with Full HD+ resolutionWith a 20:9 aspect ratio, approximately 390 pixels per inch, and Gorilla Glass protection, this panel is designed for comfortable everyday use. It doesn't compete with extreme refresh rates, but it offers the good definition and contrast characteristic of OLED technology.

The defendant is in charge of a MediaTek's high-performance 5G platform The exact model has not yet been specified by the brand, and it comes with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. This storage can be expanded via microSDXC cards up to 2 TB, an increasingly rare option on current smartphones, but highly valued by those who handle large volumes of local content.

In photography, the terminal rests on a 50 megapixel main camera and a secondary 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor on the back, along with a wide-angle front camera whose details have not yet been released. The brand doesn't intend to compete with flagship photography phones, but rather to offer a well-rounded set of cameras for everyday use, social media, and occasional video recording.

Connectivity is also a priority: the device includes 5G and 4G LTE with dual nano SIM and global roaming-ready modemIt features Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC for quick payments and pairing, and a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button. All of this is complemented by an RGB notification LED, a feature that has almost disappeared but that many users still miss.

Physical privacy and user control switch

If there's one feature that truly sets this phone apart from the rest of the Android and iOS landscape, it's the opts for physical privacy controlsOn one side is a dedicated switch that allows you to instantly disable sensitive phone features. Jolla presents it as a configurable "Privacy Switch" that can block the microphone, cameras, Bluetooth, the Android app subsystem, and other functions the user deems sensitive.

Part of the official statement highlights that this cuts off at the hardware level key componentsThis is something other privacy-focused manufacturers have also attempted in the past with so-called "kill switches." However, some analysts point out that the system's configurable nature suggests a mixed hardware-software management approach, and we'll have to wait for the final units to determine the extent to which the cutoff is physical or depends on the system layer.

In any case, the idea is clear: to provide a quick way for the phone to... Stop listening to or transmitting information beyond what is essential for its basic operation, and increase privacy by using a anti-tracking browserThis approach may be especially attractive to journalists, legal professionals, public officials, or anyone who handles sensitive information and wants a simple way to protect the device in certain contexts.

The user control philosophy extends to software as well. Sailfish OS 5 does away with mandatory accounts and cloud services are integrated by default, leaving it up to the owner to choose what to sync, with whom, and under which services. This approach contrasts with the prevailing model on Android and iOS, where creating accounts and integrating with service ecosystems is usually a virtually essential step.

Removable battery, interchangeable cover, and extended stand

Another striking aspect of the project is the return of a feature that has been virtually unseen in the mid-range and high-end for years: a user-replaceable 5.500 mAh batteryThis allows you to extend the device's lifespan without needing technical service, and opens the door to carrying spare batteries for long trips or intensive days away from the charger.

Next to the battery, the The back cover is also interchangeable.Jolla will offer at least three finishes: Snow White, Kaamos Black, and The Orange, evoking Nordic landscapes and the color that has become the brand's visual hallmark. In addition to aesthetic customization, this decision facilitates future case replacements in case of impacts or wear, something uncommon in a market dominated by sealed glass and metal constructions.

The company has promised a minimum of five years of operating system support for the Jolla Phone. Given that Sailfish OS has continued to evolve for over a decade, the idea is to offer a device that won't become obsolete after two or three years, thus reinforcing the sustainability argument: fewer forced upgrades, less electronic waste, and better use of invested resources.

This combination of a removable battery, expandable microSD storage, and a detachable cover is reminiscent of the era when many mobile phones allowed users to handle much of their own basic maintenance. In a context where the circular economy and the right to repair are gaining traction on the European agenda, Jolla is trying to align itself with these regulatory and social trends.

Pre-sale model, pricing, and focus on Europe

To bring this Linux mobile device to production, the company has launched a €99 pre-sale voucher through their online storeThis amount is fully refundable and will be deducted from the final price of the device when it comes time to complete the payment. The initial requirement was to reach at least 2.000 pre-orders before January 4, 2026, a threshold that has been easily surpassed in a matter of days, according to figures shared by Jolla and the community.

El The full price for those who participated in this first round is €499Prices include taxes in European Union countries. The company estimates that the standard retail price, once production stabilizes, will range between €599 and €699, depending on costs and manufacturing volume. In any case, those who have pre-ordered can cancel and receive a full refund at any time before the campaign closes if they change their mind.

Jolla makes it clear that it cannot compete on price with the mass-produced Android phonesThis is because it combines standard components—such as the AMOLED panel and MediaTek SoC—with custom parts like the chassis, removable battery, and privacy switch system. The company hopes to offset this difference by emphasizing the added value of its software, extended support, and longer hardware lifespan.

Production and marketing will be based in Europe, with an initial focus on the EU, the UK, Norway and SwitzerlandThe phone will work outside these territories thanks to its global roaming band configuration, but direct sales will initially focus on these countries. The company does not rule out opening new markets—including the United States—if demand warrants it.

A project co-created with the Sailfish community

From the beginning, Jolla wanted this new device to be a “Do It Together” (DIT) Linux phone, that is, a phone created together with the communityOver the past few months, the company has launched surveys and open discussions with Sailfish OS users to define technical specifications, prioritize features, and assess real interest in a new proprietary device.

This participatory process has led to concrete decisions such as battery capacity, the use of an AMOLED screen, the inclusion of a microSD card, the commitment to 5G, and the presence of a physical privacy switchAlso, the choice of case colors or the confirmation that compatibility with Android apps should remain an important part of the product, although always as something optional.

The pre-sale model with a minimum unit target acts, in practice, as a collective validation that there is room for a European Linux mobile Beyond niche trials, the company had already experimented with crowdfunding for its first smartphone, but now it combines that experience with a much more mature Sailfish and years of deployment on third-party devices.

Jolla also maintains public channels—official forum, social media, and regular communications—where it updates the campaign's status, the number of orders, and upcoming project milestones. This type of transparency This is relevant in a sector where many alternative launches have been left unfinished due to a lack of information or poorly communicated roadmap changes.

Until the first units reach European users, the new Jolla Phone is shaping up to be a unique option in the mobile landscape: a 5G smartphone with Sailfish OS 5, focused on privacy, repairability, and user controlIt openly acknowledges that it will not compete on price or app catalog with Android or iOS, but offers something they do not prioritize: a European system based on Linux, with a physical privacy switch and a lifespan designed for several years of real use, especially attractive to those in Spain and the rest of Europe looking to break away from the usual script without giving up a modern and usable device for everyday use.