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Punkt. Unveils MC03 Smartphone

Punkt. Unveils MC03 Smartphone

ChrisArchitect

Comments (106)

  • hrimfaxi
    I really loved the previous design with the physical numpad and it seems they've opened up the platform to support more applications beyond a few blessed ones (like Signal in the past).Really put off by this though:> If you don’t pay for a product, you are the product. With MC03, you pay to retain your data rather than paying with it.So you have to pay >$100/year to maintain access to your device? Why do I need to pay to retain data that is on my own device?
  • StrLght
    Here's what GrapheneOS said about AphyOS: https://xcancel.com/GrapheneOS/status/1893469596973220188> They have a fork of an old version of GrapheneOS merged with LineageOS. They heavily marketed it as being based on GrapheneOS, but it's a very outdated version. Their devices don't have remotely comparable privacy, security, usability or app compatibility to official GrapheneOS.
  • mzajc
    > What happens if I cancel my subscription?> You can cancel at any time. Without an active subscription, certain core services and privacy features will be limited. To keep your MC03 fully functional, secure, and up to date, an active subscription is required.Out of curiosity (I'm definitely NOT going to buy a Phone-as-a-Service), what exactly happens when you cancel your subscription? Does the smartphone brick itself? Does it let you flash a sane operating system that doesn't treat you as a cash cow?
  • 7734128
    "www.punkt.ch wants to send you notifications"Why do websites still do this? It's an immediate red flag that the underlying company have no respect for their customers.
  • hasperdi
    €700 for a locked down phone, excluding €10 / month subscription of a locked down OS. No thanks
  • lucb1e
    The product page (https://www.punkt.ch/products/mc03-premium-secure-smartphone, click on "all tech specs") mentions a "SAR sensor". I have not seen that before, does anyone know what this does? Does the device try to estimate how much EM your body received while carrying it around or calling, or what is this for?
  • arximboldi
    I own a MP01 that replaced a Nokia 105 that got lost in the Berghain after 12 years of service. I regret buying the Punkt. It costs more than double than the Nokia and is worse in almost every dimension. It is all form over function, with various obvious UX issues. I would not buy from this company again.
  • daneel_w
    Why this instead of a Pixel 8 or newer running GrapheneOS and no requirement for subscriptions?
  • A_Duck
    The problem in Europe is that Whatsapp has become the standard for mobile messaging, and it's only available on Android and iOSThis really nerfs the whole dumbphone movement for Europeans, which should be a key market.I went on holiday with someone a few weeks ago who is toughing it out with a no-Whatsapp dumbphone. He missed the train home because he got locked out of the holiday cottage and couldn't get in touch with anyone.
  • tensegrist
    >punkt.ch wants to send you notificationspretty bad signal
  • ekjhgkejhgk
    > Like its forerunner, the MC02, the new model is a subscription-based smartphoneNon-starter.
  • jasonvorhe
    Not even close to security provided by GrapheneOS, ships Android 15 and the phone looks quite ugly with that big branding on it. I'll stick with GrapheneOS and Pixels.
  • sallveburrpi
    I immediately distrust anything privacy based that is marketed by the Swiss.
  • torginus
    I hope the Swiss broke with their traditions and its not a front for the CIA this timehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crypto_AG
  • qwertox
    "Website `https://www.punkt.ch` would like to show notifications."Why? What is so important that they need me to notify about?
  • lif
    can someone explain how a subscription-based product is a great option for privacy?or how being locked in to a black box vpn instills a sense of having gained reliable true privacy?
  • schmuckonwheels
  • sanjayts
    I'm really struggling to see who this phone is aimed for. Why would someone pay a subscription for their "own" phone that is cut off from the major app stores?
  • _spduchamp
    For years I've been so close to ordering one of their previous generation phones, and now I feel like I've dodged a bullet by not buying from this company. This new phone is a huge step in the wrong direction.Can someone please release a nice Sidekick like device with physical keyboard that supports Signal.
  • userbinator
    If you don't have root access, you don't have full control.
  • wiether
    I love the aesthetics of the objectives/flash looking like an induction cooktop!
  • evan_
    I thought this was an eInk screen- all of the screenshots show a grainy black-and-white UI. I had to dig around to learn that it actually has a full-color OLED apparently.
  • damsta
    I got interested and checked their website, but it gave me a bad vibe, not to mention the hefty price tag in addition to the subscription.
  • zsoltkacsandi
    €699 + €9.99/month for a smartphone that supposed to be a dumb phone, with a custom locked down OS. Punkt is losing the point what made their previous products successful.I have my iphone 13 mini for 4 years, having a Punkt MC03 for the same amount of time would cost me €1058. Thanks, but no thanks.
  • analogpixel
    go to website, "allow punkt to send you notifications", closed website.based on how they welcome new customers to their site, I can only assume this is the general vibe of the company also. (aggressively pushing crap)
  • speedgoose
    I find it amusing to see the Facebook, XTwitter, and Pinterest social buttons at the bottom of the article.
  • lucb1e
    This is a very interesting thread to read... I can't help but remember the wishes expressed in other news threads such as 'I wish I could just pay for things to not have tracking built in' / 'This vital software component is so underfunded, no wonder this happens'Now a company offers it and every 2nd comment has the vibe of 'Why would someone pay a subscription for their "own" phone'. I guess that means the former vibe is not something most people actually want?
  • phoronixrly
    Has Graphene announced their 'major Android OEM to bring the OS to Snapdragon-powered flagships' [that is NOT fairphone] yet?
  • pmkary
    Well they really destroyed everything that I knew was Punkt: Great design, minimalist, e-ink like displays with an android cheap design, no e-ink, and Phone as a Service? are you kidding us?
  • mistercheph
    If trying to hawk a subscription-based closed-source fork of open source software as privacy preserving or being "Swiss-made" weren't sufficient red flags, search the web for MP02, their last phone. Basic functionality like calling and texting often don't work, and their Signal client never work, they are selling a dream. Punkt is basically a scam
  • the_gipsy
    > Like its forerunner, the MC02, the new model is a subscription-based smartphonestopped reading there