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# Librem 5 is a Security and Privacy Focused Smartphone Based on Linux
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/librem-linux-phone/
- Published: 2017-08-24T23:15:19.000Z
- Updated: 2023-01-11T09:56:24.000Z
- Author: Abhishek Prakash
- Tags: #Import 2022-12-26 08:27

![Librem 5 Linux smartphone from Purism](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2017/08/Librem-5-Linux-smartphone-800x450.jpg)

What are your options when you are going to buy a new smartphone? Android, iOS and in some rare cases, Windows. There are a few other [open source mobile OS](https://itsfoss.com/open-source-alternatives-android/) but they are way too rare.

As an ardent Linux user, you might have longed for a real Linux based operating system on your phone. Seems like your dream may come true.

[Purism](https://puri.sm/?ref=itsfoss.com), a company known for making high-end Linux laptop with the focus on privacy and free software, [successfully ran a crowdfunding campaign](https://puri.sm/shop/librem-5/?ref=itsfoss.com) for a brand new smartphone called Librem 5.

This 5 inches, [privacy-focused Linux phone](https://itsfoss.com/linux-phones/) will be running on Purism’s [PureOS](https://pureos.net/?ref=itsfoss.com) Linux distribution. Pricing starts at $599 putting it among the high-end smartphones.

## Librem 5 Features

![Librem smartphone](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2015/07/purism-librem-800x450.jpg)

So what exactly sets Librem 5 apart from the crowd and what are its unique selling points? Here are some of the highlights of Librem 5:

- Runs PureOS or another Linux distribution of choice. This means you can get to use Ubuntu, SUSE, Fedora and even Arch Linux on your phone.
- Privacy protection by default. Your data is secured and not shared by third parties.
- No tracking. Your phone is completely owned and controlled by you not your Big Brother.
- World’s first ever IP-native mobile handset
- End-to-end decentralized communications via [Matrix](https://matrix.org/?ref=itsfoss.com)
- Security focused by design
- Works with 2G/3G/4G, GSM, UMTS, and LTE networks
- CPU separate from Baseband
- [Hardware Kill Switches](https://puri.sm/learn/hardware-kill-switches/?ref=itsfoss.com) for Camera, Microphone, WiFi/Bluetooth, and Baseband
- HTML 5 apps

## Librem 5 Specifications

![Librem Linux based smartphones](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2017/08/librem-phones-800x400.jpg)

Since it is in early phases, specifications may change over the time. At present, this is the proposed specification:

- 5″ touchscreen
- i.MX6/i.MX8 CPU
- Vivante GPU (Etnaviv free software accelerated driver)
- Separate mobile baseband
- 3GB LPDDR3 RAM
- 32GB eMMC
- MicroSD slot
- Front and back camera
- Headphone and Microphone Jack (some elite smartphones don’t have this feature)
- WiFi 802.11
- Bluetooth 4
- USB Type-C
- Sensors: GPS, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Ambient Light and Proximity
- Hardware kill switches for Camera, Microphone, Baseband, WiFi/Bluetooth

## Librem 5 Release Date

The first Librem smartphone is expected to ship in January 2019 and Purism team is determined to keep this deadline. The [development kit costing $399 will be shipping](https://puri.sm/posts/june-1st-last-call-for-librem5-devkit/?ref=itsfoss.com) before that if you had ordered any.

So you have plenty of time to wait and watch.

## Librem 5 has got support from the Linux community

The Linux community is definitely looking up to Librem 5 with hope and anticipation. [Purism team is collaborating with KDE and GNOME teams](https://itsfoss.com/librem-5-gnome-kde/) to bring these two desktop environments to Librem 5.

[UBports](https://ubports.com/?ref=itsfoss.com), the project continuing the dead Ubuntu Touch, is also [working with Purism to offer Ubuntu Touch on Librem 5](https://puri.sm/posts/ubports-ubuntu-touch-on-librem5-collaboration/?ref=itsfoss.com).

### What do you think of Librem 5 Linux phone?

With the demise of Ubuntu Phone, it’s difficult to imagine another Linux phone. If a big organization like Canonical couldn’t succeed with Ubuntu Phones, can Purism succeed with Librem? That’s the big question that can only be answered in future.

If I have to speculate, I think Canonical’s inexperience with hardware might be one of the reasons behind Ubuntu Phone’s failure. At the same time, Purism has a track record of producing top-notch hardware for Linux. Perhaps they will be able to do the same with mobile as well.