I have already decided I wasn’t going to. Given the controversy.
I’ve come across a review of the phone that appears to be unbiased. However, it’s important to remember that you should never take anything at face value.
Quotes from the review:
VINNIE MOSCARITOLO (the reviewer) thoughts on if you should trust him
Not my First Rodeo
So why should you trust what I say about this tech? You shouldn’t. You should always verify everything. I would.
His credentials in tech
I do know a few things about privacy and mobile devices. I have some thirty-plus years of experience in software development focused on privacy. As an OG Cypherpunk, I passionately embraced the motto “Cypherpunks write code.” I’ve had fun (they say) writing hundreds of thousands of lines of code, including an open-source cryptography library, and hold a couple of patents.
I pioneered one of the first secure texting appsdesigned specifically for the iPhone, inventing things as we went along. Before that, I worked on the core cryptography code for PGP Corporation, which produced the first commercial email encryption system.
I even worked at Apple at a time when the government actively opposed the availability of strong cryptography. Despite the political climate deterring Apple’s leadership from prioritizing user privacy, I discreetly organized an annual conference (funded by Apple and held on their campus) and inspired many third-party developers to create their own cryptographic solutions.
Unplugged Phone Tech Specs
Tech Specs
The Unplugged phone has very respectable tech specs. While it isn’t the fastest or the latest model, I think it addresses its market well.
- Size: 6.49" x 3.03" x 0.34" / 210g
- Display: FHD+ 1080 x 2400, AMOLED, Gorilla Glass
- Storage: 256GB + SDCard
- RAM: 8GB - LPDDR4X
- CPU: Octa-core:
1 x Arm Cortex-A78 3.0GHz,
3 x Arm Cortex-A78 2.6GHz,
4 x Arm Cortex-A55 2.0GHz- Network 2G / 3G / 4G / 5G
- WIFI 802.11b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4GHz+5GHz
- Batter: 4300mAh, Wireless Charging
- Camera: Front: 32MP, Rear: 108 MP (Main) + 8 MP (Wide) + 5MP (Macro)
- Sensors: Gyro, GPS, Compass, Accelerometer, Proximity, Light, Barometer
- Biometrics**:** Fingerprint Sensor on the Power Button
Unplugged also made some effort to address supply chain risk.
“we have invested considerably in getting the core components and manufacturing processes out of China. We will be doing even more as we mature and iterate our product”.
What he considers wrong with the device
The Bad and the Ugly.
So far, I have looked at the Unplugged phone as I would any other Android phone. I really like the slickness of the product and the marketing materials; they are top-notch. But the prime differentiator for Unplugged is its claim to champion privacy.
Certainly, tangible items like a physical battery disconnect switch can have their integrity easily verified. Most competent amateur radio operators are capable of doing this.
But there is no way for me to verify that the software, all the way down to the operating system and firmware, has no hidden tracking or backdoors. Software items like the Privacy Dashboard are a nice thought but this too can be faked.
His closing remarks
So, where does that leave me? I like the phone as an Android phone. It’s well-built, and it runs smoothly and fast enough. It was easy to set up out of the box, and I even found it easy to switch SIMs around. The camera is really good, and my cursory speed tests were fine. The screen was outstanding. There are still a handful of things I need to figure out before this becomes my phone for everyday carry, but those are mostly iPhone to Android migration.
But as I mentioned, If I were, for example, a reporter writing from hostile locations, I can’t say that I would be comfortable with it. As a privacy professional, I can’t recommend it either until the items I list above are addressed. All the interviews in the world can not substitute for verification.
Open source your code, write some whitepapers, publish the audits, and write a guarantee letter from the executives that you are unaware of any back doors . Put your personal reputation on the line here.
That said, I wish Unplugged good hunting. The world needs more people who believe in the importance of privacy and have the conviction to do something about it.
At the end of his review this did intrigue me:
NOTE: Since I wrote this article, I have been in contact with someone close to the Unplugged staff. They told me that Unplugged is working on fixing the open-source and peer-review issues I mentioned, and we can expect updates in the near future.
So, I’ll leave it at that. I will just wait and see how this plays out. I will get a cheap Pixel 8a or something, or the 9a if that comes out.
Then, look at the device again in a couple of years or so and see where they are at in terms of trying to fix their image and transparency.