The Jolla Phone Returns: Sailfish OS 5, Replaceable Battery, and a Physical Privacy Switch

The Sailfish OS team at Jolla is making an ambitious return to the consumer hardware market. After years of focusing on licensing their platform, the Finnish company has successfully crowd-funded a new smartphone. Marketed as the “independent European Do It Together (DIT) Linux phone,” the new Jolla Phone is now positioned as a genuine, privacy-centric alternative to the iOS and Android duopoly.

The pre-order campaign, which required 2,000 units to begin production, quickly surpassed its target. This swift success confirms significant market demand for a mobile device built around digital independence. With funding secured, the new Jolla Phone is slated for delivery to early backers by the first half of 2026.

The Core Proposition: Sailfish OS 5 and Digital Autonomy

The identity of the Jolla Phone is intrinsically linked to its operating system, Sailfish OS 5. This platform is a purist’s answer to the mobile landscape. Unlike Google’s Android, which, despite using the Linux kernel, relies heavily on proprietary services and data collection, Sailfish OS offers a foundation built on open-source principles.

Commitment to User Privacy

Sailfish OS is deeply committed to user privacy and digital longevity. The company promises a minimum of five years of software support and stands by a clear, non-negotiable core promise:

• No tracking or hidden analytics.
• No background data collection.
• No forced obsolescence, ensuring the device remains useful for years.

This commitment to sovereignty makes Sailfish OS a leading European alternative in the mobile space, directly challenging the data-hungry models of Big Tech.

Standout Hardware Features for Control and Longevity

The new Jolla Phone defies modern smartphone trends by reintroducing critical hardware features that prioritize repairability and granular user control.

1. The Physical Privacy Switch

The most defining feature for privacy advocates is the user-configurable physical Privacy Switch. This is a dedicated hardware toggle—not just a software setting—that provides an undeniable layer of security. Users can instantly and fully disable various hardware components:

• Microphone
• Bluetooth
• Android AppSupport layer
• Other user-defined sensors or radios

This mechanism ensures that the chosen component is physically cut off from the system, giving users absolute certainty that they are not being monitored.

2. User-Replaceable Battery

In an industry where integrated batteries dominate, the Jolla Phone features an easily user-replaceable 5,500mAh battery. This massive cell provides exceptional endurance and, more importantly, dramatically extends the functional lifespan of the device. This focus on long-term sustainability aligns perfectly with the device’s privacy and independence ethos.

Performance and App Compatibility

While privacy is paramount, the Jolla Phone does not skimp on contemporary performance needed for modern usage. It features a robust hardware platform:

• Processor: An unnamed high-performing MediaTek 5G SoC.
• Memory & Storage: 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 2TB via a microSDXC card.
• Display: A large 6.36-inch Full HD AMOLED panel protected by Gorilla Glass, offering a vibrant and smooth viewing experience.
• Camera System: A powerful dual-lens rear setup (50MP wide primary + 13MP ultrawide), alongside a front-facing wide-lens selfie camera.
• Connectivity: Full 4G/5G support with dual nano-SIM, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4.

To address the unavoidable application gap, the phone utilizes Jolla AppSupport. This technology allows users to run essential Android applications within a managed, isolated environment, which can be fully disabled when maximum privacy is required.

Pricing and Availability

The Jolla Phone is launching with a tiered pricing model aimed primarily at core European markets, including the EU, the UK, Switzerland, and Norway.

• Initial Pre-order Price: €499 (including VAT). This discounted price rewarded early supporters who helped fund production.
• Standard Retail Price: The final price is expected to range between €599 and €699 (including VAT).

Having successfully cleared its crowd-funding hurdle, Jolla’s next objective is to transition to mass production and build a broader community around the new Sailfish OS 5 platform.

Conclusion: The Mobile Alternative We Need

The return of the Jolla Phone is not just a piece of niche news; it signals a serious movement toward viable, sophisticated mobile alternatives outside the established duopoly. By marrying modern hardware specifications with a fiercely private, transparent, and user-repairable operating system, Jolla is delivering the independent Linux phone that users seeking digital autonomy and control have long awaited. For those prioritizing security and digital independence, the Jolla Phone’s confirmed production is one of the most important developments in the 2026 mobile technology landscape.