After a few months of delay, the manufacturer disclosed that is starting shipments of the Librem 5 USA, which, like previous models, preserves the security and privacy functions of the Librem 5 software.
The difference is that the US version benefits from 'a transparent and secure supply chain, manufactured in the United States. ' Which makes it one of the safest alternatives to iOS and Android phones that great technology offers, according to the founder of the company.
For those unfamiliar with the Librem 5, you should know that this is a phone built on PureOS, an open source, freedom-friendly and fully verifiable operating system that is not based on Android or iOS. It has unique hardware switches to disconnect the cellular modem, WiFi and Bluetooth, as well as the microphone and cameras.
Librem 5 was built from the ground up by Purism following a successful grassroots fundraising campaign that raised more than $ 2.2 million. The design of hardware and software is oriented to respect the freedom of the end user.
The premium upgrade, Librem 5 USA, sources components through a controlled and secure US supply chain with full electronics manufacturing performed at Purism's US headquarters. The company says the new Librem 5 USA follows strict labor, environmental and materials laws From the US, staffed in the US, it brings together reliable hardware and secure software, all in one phone, he says.
“Our products meet a huge market need,” said Todd Weaver, Purism founder and CEO, in a post about creating the US version of Librem 5. “It's about building a technology future that respects people. Our products promote digital freedom, offer the best security and protect privacy, which is at the core of our mission. "
“Making a phone that avoids spying from big tech is one thing (yes, we did). Creating a converged operating system that is neither Android nor iOS is another (yes, we did that too). But making this phone in America is a feat few believed possible (yes, we just did). Not only have we shown that it is possible… but we are shipping it, ”Weaver said in his post.
The main differences between the products are that the Librem 5 is manufactured under contract in China, while the Librem 5 USA is manufactured at the Purism factory in Carlsbad, California. The PCBA (motherboard assembly) printed circuit) Librem 5 (the two plates inside the chassis) are made in China. The PCBAs are then assembled into the Librem 5 chassis and then imported to the factory in the United States for final assembly, flashing, testing and execution.
Librem 5 USA PCBAs are manufactured at the Carlsbad plant in the United States. They are then assembled on the Librem 5 chassis, and final assembly, flashing, testing, and delivery take place at the Purism plant. Another difference is in price: the Librem 5 costs $ 799 and the Librem 5 USA costs $ 1,999.
Manufacturing its Librem 5 phone in the United States, including manufacturing all electronic products in-house, was one of Purism's many goals. And he just reached it with the start of the Librem 5 USA expedition. Librem 5 USA is a revolutionary phone that has great differences with the rest of the mobile phone industry.
Speaking from its manufacturing process to shipping, Todd Weaver says:
“To make the most secure phone, you need to be able to have a complete verification of all stages, from publishing schematics to using Made in USA electronics, publishing all source code, isolating hardware components and the operation of an operating system that is under the total control of the client, that is not cryptographically forced to the oppressive and exploitative control of big technology, Librem 5 USA is all that ”.
The founder of Purism describes the privacy and security measures observed by his teams from the production and verification (triple checks) of parts to the preparation and dispatch of orders to customers, including, among others, the inspection of the cards ("microscopically , pellet by pellet, at the top and bottom of the card, to ensure that all subsequent processes are carried out with a minimum of errors ”).
According to Weaver, the inspection was initially a combination of mechanical inspection and manual inspection. But when the volume has increased, the inspection is less manual and more automated.
Source: https://puri.sm