Since its beginning, San Francisco-based Purism has been known as a computer hardware company that puts software freedom, computer security, and privacy first. On paper, the company’s products like the Librem mini PC, Librem 14 laptop, and Librem 5 smartphone, are as “free” and as secure as they can get. But is it really, though?
I mean it is made outside of the country by a subcontractor, so it may not be as secure. However, if Purism were the ones who oversee the entire process, right down to the fabrications of the electronics to the assembly of the phones, then it may give some people a little more peace of mind. Well, folks, such peace of mind is what the Librem 5 USA smartphone has to offer.
Librem 5 USA shares the same features and looks as the Librem 5 on the outside but on the inside, every single electronic is made in Purism’s USA facility and the phone is assembled in the U.S.A.
Purism said by producing the electronics stateside, it can better oversee each stage of the production and with everything made and put together within the U.S.A., it is a secure supply chain is assured.
It runs on the same PureOS and preinstalled with the same software, and has the same privacy protections built in.
Here’s a rundown of the specifications:
- Display: 5.7” IPS TFT screen @ 720×1440
- Processor: NXP i.MX 8M Quadcore ARM Cortex A53 SoC, 64bit @max 1.5 GHz
- Graphics: Vivante GC7000Lite GPU
- Memory: 3 GB RAM
- Storage: 32 GB eMMC
- External Storage: microSD storage expansion (up to 2 TB)
- Wireless: Redspine Signals RS9116: 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4/5 GHz + Bluetooth 4.0
- Baseband: Broadmobi BM818 w/ single nano-SIM tray
- GPS: TESEO LIV3 multiconstellation GNSS receiver
- Smartcard: 2FF format smart cards (SIM card size)
- Sound: Built-in loudspeaker, 3.5 mm headphone/mic jack, built-in Wolfson Media WM8962 DAC
- Accelerometer: “9-axis” by ST, LSM9DS1 (gyro, accelerometer, magnetometer)
- Front Camera: 8 MP
- Rear Camera: 13 MP with flash LED
- Vibration Motor: Haptic Motor
- USB port: USB 3.0 with USB-C interface, supports PD and video out
- Battery: 4,500 mAh user-replaceable battery
- Notification LED: Yes (RGB LED with PWM control per color)
- Others: No NFC, Ambient Light, Proximity Sensor, 3 kill switches: wireless (WiFi and Cellular), cameras, and microphone, (all 3 will turn off GPS)
If you have been following Librem 5, you would have noted that Librem 5 USA’s hardware is pretty much identical to the Librem 5. So, the main difference is that it is made in the good’ol US of A. And oh, also the price. If you want a device that is made in the land of the free, you will have to pay the price.
We are talking about US$1,999 – which is a good 700 bucks over the standard Librem 5 with all the same hardware and software features. You will be your own judge if it is worth the dough. The Purism Librem is available now for shipping within 10 business days for standard orders.
Images: Purism.