Librem 5 – A Security and Privacy Focused Phone
https://puri.sm/shop/librem-5/
Librem 5, the phone that focuses on security by design and privacy protection by default. Running Free/Libre and Open Source software and a GNU+Linux Operating System designed to create an open development utopia, rather than the walled gardens from all other phone providers.
A fully standards-based freedom-oriented system, based on Debian and many other upstream projects, has never been done before–we will be the first to seriously attempt this.
The Librem 5 phone will be the world's first ever IP-native mobile handset, using end-to-end encrypted decentralized communication.
Note: This was an “all-or-nothing” campaign, but we crossed well over the $1.5m goal, and will be delivering on the Librem 5 phone. If you would like a Librem 5 you can simply pre-order one of the appropriate rewards now, and we will add you to the shipping queue!
Librem 5 – A Security and Privacy Focused Phone
$1,500,000
Funding Goal-
$2,387,341
Funds Raised
We believe phones should not track you nor exploit your digital life. We are in the middle of a digital rights revolution where you get to decide the future. We at Purism are building a phone that does not run Android nor iOS, but runs PureOS or any GNU/Linux distribution where all the source code is available.
Note that the visual design of the phone is a work in progress and is subject to evolve based on technical requirements and people’s feedback.
Our phone will not wholesale gather your data for profit. It will not lock you into an ecosystem that controls you. It will not require you to enter banking details to simply get an app from an app store.
Our phone will be built to protect you by default. It will never exploit you for profit. It will be a phone for the people, by the people.
We know how to build products that are convenient, privacy and security focused. Our phone will give you peace of mind knowing it does not track you.
Quick facts
- Does not run Google Android
- Does not run Apple iOS
- Runs PureOS by default, can run most GNU+Linux distributions
- World’s first ever IP-native mobile handset
- End-to-end encrypted decentralized communications via Matrix
- 5″ screen
- Security focused by design
- Privacy protection by default
- Works with 2G/3G/4G, GSM, UMTS, and LTE networks
- CPU separate from Baseband
- Hardware Kill Switches for Camera, Microphone, WiFi/Bluetooth, and Baseband
Keep Up-To-Date Via Email
Please double-check the email address when entering it below. Typos are frequent, and the form below does not send a verification mail to check!
- Email address:*Opt-in to join the Purism announcement mailing list and receive communication about the Librem 5 phone campaign.
Alternatively, the best way to subscribe (and to be sure it “worked”) is to send a blank mail to announce-join@announce.puri.sm and then reply to the confirmation email that gets sent to you (do not use the linked web interface to confirm, it may be buggy; we’re working on a fix…). You should receive a successful subscription confirmation email within a few minutes afterwards.
Regular Updates on our Blog
You can follow status updates on our blog with posts that have the “phones” tag (see the news page for more options).
Competitive chart (privacy, security, freedom)
Purism PureOS | Apple iOS | Google Android | |
|---|---|---|---|
| User Controls Device | Yes | No | No |
| Trackers Disabled by Default | Yes | No | No |
| Privacy Protection By Default | Yes | No | No |
| Does Not Track You | Yes | No | No |
| Layered Security Protection | Yes | No | No |
| User Controlled Source Code | Yes | No | No |
| Runs GNU+Linux | Yes | No | No |
| Separates CPU from Cellular Baseband | Yes | No | No |
| IP-Native Communication First | Yes | No | No |
| Decentralized Communication by Default | Yes | No | No |
Why Purism
Purism has built and delivered laptops successfully for over 2 years and is now ready to begin development on a phone product.
We are focusing on creating a secure communication device, and will continually expand the product through software with community and developer support.
The first version will be capable of voice calling, video, camera, messaging, email, and web browsing, expanding quickly to include the thousands of productivity, gaming, graphics, and photography applications already in PureOS.
By creating a phone that supports an open community-driven development environment, we can change the future of computing to be respectful of your digital life. (learn more)
In the Media
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Team Quotes and Endorsements
“I believe digital rights should mirror physical rights, our Librem 5 phone will get humanity closer to that goal.”
“Computer users are individuals not just consumers. I want people to gain back control of their technical life, I want to empower people!”
“I don’t trust Google because 97% of their revenue is generated by knowing as much as possible about me.”
“The idea of a Matrix-native smartphone is unbelievably exciting. Matrix has always aimed to be a decentralised encrypted alternative to the public telephone network, and the Librem 5 makes this all the more true. With truly open communications and a truly open operating system, this is a vision of a world where users are back in control of their communication and their technology, rather than being trapped in proprietary communication silos – a world that cannot come soon enough!
“Android is so frustrating! Trying to remove Google’s privacy invasion bit-by-bit removes functionality bit-by-bit, and you end up with a non-working phone. Purism will solve this by putting your privacy protection and security first.”
“From the largest server clusters to the tiniest of phones, computing devices of all sizes should ultimately provide the choice to decide whatever level of privacy and freedom is appropriate for them.”
“It should be our choice on which data we choose to make public. Lack of awareness or understanding of our digital footprint and having others’ benefit from it should not be the norm. Tools, like Librem products and PureOS, are vital to help us manage without needing to become cyber-experts.”
“Currently there is no choice but to put your trust in companies that you don’t want to trust, and this is a problem. The Librem 5 phone will change that, and allow you to control your own life.”
“This is MY phone!”
“I am very pleased to see Purism considering to use, support, and advance GNOME on mobile devices.”
“Partnering with Purism will allow us to ready Plasma Mobile for the real world and integrate it seamlessly with a commercial device for the first time. The Librem 5 will make Plasma Mobile shine the way it deserves.”
“I am very excited about having a phone that only runs free and open source software. Not only is it a great win for users now having full control over their devices and their privacy, but it also enables the community to develop on a smartphone platform without restrictions, which opens the door for novel ideas and innovation on these devices.”
“I trust freedoms governed by democratic transparent power structures. My current phone runs Free code – my next phone will be trustworthy.”
“Do I want a phone I can finally trust, and doubles as a convergence developer board? Was Grace Hopper a rear admiral?!”
“Planned obsolescence of Android and iPhones made me understand how important the free software movement is for everyone. Now, I refuse to buy another phone that I do not control and am not the owner of.”
“Purism has been doing genuine and important work around making truly free yet desirable laptops. The communities I work with would very much like to see the same philosophy replicated in a phone that runs a GNOME based stack where community members can participate in equal terms and that ensures respect for the users’ privacy and security. While pulling this off is hard, Todd seems like someone who sincerely cares about these issues and has a great track record executing, I think the efforts of Purism deserve the support of the free software community.”
Team
We have assembled a world-class global team, in over 15 countries, united in one common goal to make computing devices that respect digital rights. We have specialties that include mobile development, mobile communications, hardware manufacturing, software security, privacy protection, and free software. We are passionately devoted to security, privacy, and digital rights for users, and this shows clearly in all our products.
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What is the Librem 5
The Librem 5 is a 5″ phone that carries with it a social revolution, where we the people can stand up for our digital rights, we can say “We want to control our phone and keep our own data. We refuse to financially back the wholesale gathering of our digital life. We no longer will allow unfettered access to our photos, videos, email, text messages, applications and usage data.” By using a Librem 5 phone you are standing up for the future of phone privacy, you are supporting an open community-driven development environment, where all the source code can be used, re-purposed, and shared to improve society. By backing this campaign, you are voting with your wallet to support a future where people can be protected, feel safe, and participate in a respectful culture.
A No-Carrier Phone?
The Librem 5 can be used in any of three ways:
- With a cellular carrier provided phone number, data plan, and WiFi
- With a cellular carrier data plan, and WiFi
- With no carrier, and using only WiFi
WiFi calling and VoIP calling will be able to be provided in WiFi or data plan modes. We expect to offer call-out, and call-in with phone numbers in all of these plans as well. If you still require a “traditional” phone number through a carrier and want to make unencrypted phone calls or messaging, it will be an option you can choose, but is not required (we recommend avoiding unencrypted phone calls).
The hardware
Starting with a metal case, high resolution screen, and multifunction port, we heard your feedback, know what you want, since we want it too. The specifications are continuing to get pinned down, and will not be finalized until after the campaign ends, so please share what you’d like to see, and we will evaluate all design feedback that aligns with our beliefs.
The CPU will be an i.MX 6 or i.MX 8, where we can separate the baseband modem from the main CPU, digging deeper and deeper to protect your privacy and isolate components for a strong security hardware stack.
Enabling the path for a true convergence device, capable to work as a phone, making video and audio calls, encrypted messaging, email, web browser, that can also become a full desktop computer with an option for a compatible keyboard, mouse, and monitor. It can be a desktop computer and phone all-in-one.
The software
PureOS will ship by default, an isolation based security focused operating system, where all the source code is available. PureOS, like Ubuntu, Debian, and Red Hat, runs a Linux Kernel and utilizes the GNU operating system tools that power billions of users on a daily basis. PureOS strives for the strictest of security and privacy protection, by releasing all the source code, and offering safe security and privacy defaults, as well as avoiding common security threats, such as ransomware, and data mining tools. PureOS is in complete compliance with FSF’s free distribution guidelines and will never ship non-free binaries.
PureOS on the Librem 5 initially, upon shipment, will offer basic communication services: phone, email, messaging, voice, camera, browsing, and will expand after shipment and over time to more free software applications, through shared collaboration with the developer community (not “read-only open source”, but true free software collaboration).
Decentralized Encrypted Communications
Partnering with Matrix Librem 5 is the first ever Matrix-powered smartphone, natively using end-to-end encrypted decentralised communication in its dialer and messaging app.
Matrix is an open ecosystem for interoperable encrypted communication, supporting a rapidly growing community of over 2 million users for VoIP and Slack-style messaging. Allowing you to easily communicate securely to any Internet connected device, including iOS, Android, Windows, OSX, or GNU+Linux machines. Having a native communication suite which allows for Calling, Text Messaging, Group Messaging, and Video Calling is the future of communication.
 Group Chat, and Individual Messaging |  Double Ratchet, End-to-End Encryption |  VoIP signaling for WebRTC |  Read Receipts, Typing Notifications |
 Push Notifications |  Multiple Device Search |  Synchronized Read State and Unread Counts |  Decentralized Content Repository |
HTML5 Apps
Purism’s Librem 5 phone will be able to run HTML5 applications, which means common applications you use everyday will be available through the web browser. Purism will be able to isolate these applications from the OS, so the applications will not be able to have visibility into other running applications or have access to areas that you do not allow.
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GNU distributions the Librem 5 can run
- PureOS
- Debian GNU/Linux
- Ubuntu
- Fedora
- Suse
- Arch Linux | ARM
- SubgraphOS
Librem 5 can communicate with everything
- Librem Laptops
- Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse
- WiFi
- BlueTooth
- 3G/4G/LTE
- Apple iOS
- Apple OSX
- Android
- Windows
- GNU/Linux
The audience
This device is for anybody and everybody interested in protecting his/her data, communicating privately to your loved ones, or supporting a future of protecting your digital rights.
Parents
Parents will love the Librem 5 because it will allow you to communicate with your child, while having peace of mind that they are not being compromised or tracked without your permission.
Developers
Developers will love the Librem 5 because it will allow you to control your software and do what you’d like with a phone device.
Enterprises & Businesses
Enterprises will love the Librem 5 because it will allow them to have a security focused phone that is immune to common threats and protects their data by default.
Business Professionals will love the Librem 5 because it will give them the peace of mind that they have the best security and privacy protection built-in.
Technology lovers
CTOs/CIOs/IT will love the Librem 5 because all the source code is available for audit, and they can tightly integrate whatever configuration the corporation requires.
Tech specs
The specs will be finalized as late as efficiently possible to ensure the best available components. The hardware will run almost any GNU+Linux based distribution, and it will also work with 2G/3G/4G, GSM, UMTS, and LTE networks.
- 5″ touchscreen
- i.MX 6 or i.MX 8 CPU (we’re already making progress on our roadmap to i.MX 8)
- Vivante GPU (Etnaviv free software accelerated driver)
- Separate mobile baseband
- 3GB LPDDR3
- 32GB eMMC
- MicroSD slot
- Camera (front and back)
- Flash
- Headphone and Microphone Jack (3.5mm)
- Microphone
- Speaker
- Power Button
- Volume Controls
- SIM Slot
- WiFi 802.11
- Bluetooth 4
- Debugging interface (internal)
- USB Host
- USB Type-C
- Battery
- Sensors:
- GPS
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Compass
- Ambient Light
- Proximity
- Hardware kill switches for:
- Camera
- Microphone
- Baseband
- WiFi/Bluetooth
*Specifications are subject to change.
Developer Kit Tech Specs
The developer kit includes:
- screen + touchscreen
- development mainboard
- cabling
- power supply
- some critical components as modules:
- camera
- baseband modem
- WiFi
- GPS
- various sensors
*Specifications are subject to change.
The plan
After funding is completed, we will prepare the hardware design, manufacture developer units and get those into the hands of all the developers and backers of the development kit, so we can work on the software and full hardware roll-out in parallel. Once we confirm the basics from these developer units, we will update the hardware design and begin production. Learning from experience, we are giving ourselves time to develop and follow the hardware trends to deliver to you the ideal phone product running the most rights-respecting software available.
The product that ships to backers will be finalized phone hardware that can make a phone call, check email, browse the web, make a video call, and take a photo. This is designed to start as an encrypted communication device, and expand, after shipment, over time, to include all the productivity and software common on existing phone and desktop operating systems.
Timeline
The Librem 5 phone project started a little over 1.5 years prior to the launch of this campaign, researching and selecting hardware that would work to create a PureOS based phone, that would not rely upon Android. We have added team members to do all the research and development, and after testing the hardware to confirm we can meet our goals, we are now at the point of seeking preorders to prove the demand and fund the manufacturing.
As you can see from the gantt chart above, we expect to use the funds from this preorder campaign to fabricate the development units, manufacture the phone, port/develop the OS, and develop the communication applications. This is a lot of work to accomplish, and we are both allotting enough time to get this all done, and putting a call out for quality, eager, free software developers to add to our phone development team (see our jobs page for more information).
After Shipment
After the Librem 5 ships to customers, we will continue to improve the software by adding common and requested applications such as calendar, notes, calculator, pdf viewer, etc. Since this is a free software phone where all the source code and packages are available, we would expect to see developers creating their own applications, porting existing applications, and improving the overall “app store” experience. If you are a developer interested and wanting to port your application, we will be creating a community area to participate in PureOS mobile development. You can find out more about PureOS at PureOS.net.
Stretch Goals
Like any great endeavor, we have some lofty goals that could be accomplished with enough funding, so we have included our dream roadmap below. Applying funding targets to each goal, allows us to share the stretch goals and see just how far we can go with the product, based on user support:
