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# Linux Smartphone Librem 5 is Available for Preorder
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/librem-5-available/
- Published: 2019-08-01T06:15:52.000Z
- Updated: 2019-08-01T06:15:53.000Z
- Author: Ankush Das
- Tags: #Import 2022-12-26 08:27

Purism recently [announced](https://puri.sm/posts/librem-5-smartphone-final-specs-announced/?ref=itsfoss.com) the final specs for its [Librem 5 smartphone](https://itsfoss.com/librem-linux-phone/). This is not based on Android or iOS – but built on [PureOS](https://pureos.net/?ref=itsfoss.com), which is an [open-source alternative to Android](https://itsfoss.com/open-source-alternatives-android/).

Along with the announcement, the Librem 5 is also available for [pre-orders for $649](https://shop.puri.sm/shop/librem-5/?ref=itsfoss.com) (as an early bird offer till 31st July) and it will go up by $50 following the date. It will start shipping from Q3 of 2019.

![Librem 5 Linux Smartphone](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2019/08/librem-5-linux-smartphone-800x450.jpg)

Here’s what Purism mentioned about Librem 5 in its blog post:

**We believe phones should not track you nor exploit your digital life.**

*The Librem 5 represents the opportunity for you to take back control and protect your private information, your digital life through free and open source software, open governance, and transparency. The Librem 5 is* ***a phone built on* [*PureOS*](https://pureos.net/?ref=itsfoss.com)** *, a fully free, ethical and open-source operating system that is* ***not based on Android or iOS*** *(learn more about [why this is important](https://puri.sm/products/librem-5/pureos-mobile/?ref=itsfoss.com)).*

*We have successfully crossed our crowdfunding goals and will be delivering on our promise. The Librem 5’s hardware and software development is advancing [at a steady pace](https://puri.sm/posts/tag/phones?ref=itsfoss.com), and is scheduled for an initial release in Q3 2019\. You can preorder the phone at $649 until shipping begins and regular pricing comes into effect. Kits with an external monitor, keyboard and mouse, are also available for preorder.*

## Librem 5 Specifications

From what it looks like, Librem 5 definitely aims to provide better privacy and security. In addition to this, it tries to avoid using anything from Google or Apple.

While the idea is good enough – how does it hold up as a commercial smartphone under $700?

![Librem 5 Smartphone](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2019/07/librem-5-smartphone.jpg)

Librem 5 Smartphone

Let us take a look at the tech specs:

![Librem 5 Specs](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2019/07/librem-5-specs.png)

Librem 5

On paper the tech specs seems to be good enough. Not too great – not too bad. But, what about the performance? The user experience?

Well, we can’t be too sure about it – unless we use it. So, if you are pre-ordering it – take that into consideration.

## Lifetime software updates for Librem 5

Of course, the specs aren’t very pretty when compared to the smartphones available at this price range. 

However, with the promise of lifetime software updates – it does look like a decent offering for open source enthusiasts. 

## Other Key Features

Purism also highlights the fact that Librem 5 will be the first-ever [Matrix](http://matrix.org/?ref=itsfoss.com)\-powered smartphone. This means that it will support end-to-end decentralized encrypted communications for messaging and calling.

In addition to all these, the presence of headphone jack and a user-replaceable battery makes it a pretty solid deal.

## Wrapping Up

Even though it is tough to compete with the likes of Android/iOS smartphones, having an alternative is always good. Librem 5 may not prove to be an ideal smartphone for every user – but if you are an open-source enthusiast and looking for a simple smartphone that respects privacy and security without utilizing Google/Apple services, this is for you.

Also the fact that it will receive lifetime software updates – makes it an interesting smartphone.

What do you think about Librem 5? Are you thinking to pre-order it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.