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In a world dominated by data-hungry smartphones, the Librem 5 offers a radically different approach. The manufacturer says it is focused on security by design and privacy protection by default.
- Privacy Features
- Specs and Features
- Price and Availability
- Who Is It For?
- Librem 5 on Verizon
- Librem 5 on AweSIM
Privacy Features
Librem 5 is equipped with three (3) hardware kill switches (for cellular modem, WiFi/Bluetooth, camera/microphone). If all three switches are turned off at the same time, then GNSS and all sensors are also turned off. The specially designed hardware enables the user stay in control of the flow of information.
It comes in two versions – the global Librem 5 (designed in the USA and manufactured in China), and the Librem 5 USA (designed and manufactured in the United States). Both versions have the same specs, but differ in places of manufacture and prices.
Librem 5 was first shipped in November 2020, following several delays. While PureOS supports convergence, performance may vary depending on app optimization and hardware limitations.
Liberty Phone is a variant with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage memory, and was announced in July 2023.
Specs and Features
Wireless Network and Software
- 2G mobile network bands : GSM, GPRS, EDGE 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz.
- 3G mobile network bands : UMTS, WCDMA, HSDPA 900 / 2100 MHz
- 4G mobile network bands : LTE VoLTE 1(2100) / 2(1900) / 3(1800) / 5(850) / 7(2600) / 8(900) / 20(800) / 25(1900) / 26(850) / 28(700) / 38(2600) / 40(2300) / 41(2500) – differs across variants
- 5G mobile network bands : No.
- SIM Type : Nano-SIM
- Software / OS : PureOS
Design, Form Factor, Appearance
- Dimensions : 150 x 75 x 15.5 mm
- Weight : g
- Display : 5.7″, 720×1440 pixels, IPS TFT screen.
- Colours : Dark Grey.
- Physical Build :
Internal Hardware Specs
- Processor Type : 64-bit 1.5GHz Quad-Core, Cortex-A53.
- Processor Name : NXP® i.MX 8M
- Graphics Processor : Vivante GC7000Lite
- RAM : 3 GB
- Internal Storage : 32 GB
- External Storage : microSD storage expansion
Photography, Video Recording
- Rear Camera : 13 MP camera, f1.9 Aperture, LED flash, 1080p@30fps video recording
- Front-facing Camera : 8 MP, f2.0 Aperture, 1080p@30fps video capture.
Audio, Video Playback
- Music Support : PCM, AAC / AAC + / eAAC + / MP3 / AMR – NB / WB / APE
- Audio : 3.5 mm audio jack
- Loudspeaker : Mono speaker
- Video Support : H.264/MP4/MPEG4 player
- FM Radio :
Sensors
- Digital Compass : Yes.
- Accelerometer : Yes.
- Proximity Sensor : Yes
- Ambient Light Sensor : Yes
- Barometer : No.
- Pedometer : No.
- Heart Rate Monitor : No.
- Gyroscope (G-Sensor) : Yes.
- Fingerprint Scanner :
- Face Unlock :
- Iris Scanner : No.
- Motion Sensing / Gesture Control :
- Voice Control : No.
- Intelligent Digital Assistant : No.
- Infra-red Sensor : No.
Connectivity Options
- Bluetooth : v5.0, A2DP
- WiFi : Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
- GPS : Yes, Teseo LIV3F GNSS.
- USB : USB 3.0 data, Charging (Dual-Role Port), Video out
- NFC : No.
Miscellaneous Specs and Features
- Battery Type and Capacity : Removable Lithium-Ion 4500 mAh
- Battery Charging : 5V/2A (10W) Fast Charging; USB Power Delivery
- Reverse Charging : Yes.
- Announced : August 2017
- Market Availability : Q4 2019
Price and Availability
- Country Availability : USA, Global.
- Price : It had a pre-order price tag of $649 and has recorded several increases since release. From March 2022, the price goes up to $1299. A US-only version, called Librem 5 USA , is manufactured in the United States, carries a heftier price tag starting from $1,999.
Who Is It For?
If you value digital autonomy over app convenience, the Librem 5 might be the phone you’ve been waiting for.
Librem 5 on Verizon
It supports Verizon’s LTE bands (LTE B2, B4, B13). However, this is no guarantee that it will work, as you can’t activate a new SIM on the carrier without a device on their approved equipment list.
A workaround COULD be to use an already activated Verizon SIM in it to see if it works. If you are getting a new Verizon SIM card, it can only be activated in a recognized/approved device.
Librem 5 on AweSIM
It works on Purism’s new AweSIM cellular service in the United States.
Author:InfoDesk
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Sony Compact phones are a special breed. What Sony Mobile does is take their flagship product and squeeze it into a compact smartphone size. This is probably the only mobile brand still dedicated to providing compact premium smartphones.
The term “compact phone” is used to describe not just any kind of small phone, but specifically a premium phone that has a compact size – usually of about 6.2 inches and less. By default, modern high-end smartphones have a motto – be powerful AND be big. As such, power users who prefer handier phones have been abandoned by all but one Android phone makers.
Sony Mobile is that one brand that still caters to that need or preference. Every year, the brand launches one compact smartphone. For years, the default screen size of Sony Compact phones was 4.5/4.6 inches. In 2018, we saw that go up to 5 inches.
If you are interested in compact phones with flagship build quality, features and performance, I have a definitive list of all Sony Compact smartphones from as far back as 2015.
All Sony Compact phones from 2015 till date
Sony Xperia 5 III (2021)
The Xperia 5 III (pronounced Xperia 5 Mark 3) brings premium flagship features, specs, and performance in a 6.1-inch OLED display with 21:9 aspect ratio, 120Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 6 protection.
The Xperia 5 iii is a Sony compact phone released in 2021
On the inside, it is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset. It is the best of the best. The processor is coupled with 8 GB of RAM. Internal storage memory is available in two options – 128 B and 256 GB. There is no memory card slot.
At the back is a triple camera setup with a 12 MP main lens, 12 MP telephoto lens, and a 12 MP ultra-wide angle lens. ZEISS optics is on board too and the camera records 4k video. The front camera is an 8 MP selfie snapper.
The Xperia 5 III has IP65/68 protection from dust and water, 3.5mm audio jack, stereo speakers, and Dolby Atmos. The 4500mA battery is coupled with 30W fast charging.
This Sony compact phone is the dream phone of lovers of handy smartphones in 2021. It is available in two colours – Black and Green.
Meanwhile, Sony is rebranding its Compact line up, it seems, as the term “Compact” is missing from the Xperia 4’s name. Personally, I prefer that the tag be retained. It helps you immediately identify which model is a compact smartphone.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact – 2018
Xperia XZ2 Compact is the Sony Compact phone released in 2018
The Xperia XZ2 has a 5″ IPS LCD with Gorilla Glass 5 protection, Snapdragon 845 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, a 19MP rear camera, and a 2870mAh battery with 18W quick charging (Qualcomm ® Quick Charge™ 3.0).
This 2018 Sony Compact phone shipped with Android 8 Oreo from the factory but is getting Android 9 Pie update.
The Xperia XZ2 is made of glass in front, with an aluminium frame sandwiched between that and the plastic back. A fingerprint reader is located at the back and like all Sony flagships, the phone has an IP68 water/dust resistant rating.
Price? $379 only.
Sony Xperia XA2 – 2018
Sony made another compact smartphone in 2018 – the Xperia XA2. Yes; it doesn’t have the “Compact” tag on it either, but with a 5.2″ display with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 and a Snapdragon 630 processor, it is close enough, so we are listing it here.
Take those photos with the 23MP rear camera. RAM is 3 GB, storage is 32 GB, and the battery is of 3300mAh capacity and supports 18W fast charging as well. This is a very respectable compact smartphone. What will delight bargain hunters even more is the very pocket-friendly price tag.
Price: $195 only.
Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact – 2017
Take the XZ2 Compact, replace the SD845 with an SD835 chip. And instead of a 64GB storage, put in 32GB, and you would almost have Sony’s 2017 compact smartphone, the Xperia XZ1 Compact. It has a modest 4.6″ display of 720 x 1280 pixels resolution and an old school 16:9 aspect ratio. There is a 2700mAh battery with 18W quick charging.
In other words, the XZ2 Compact was an incremental update to the XZ1 Compact from 2017. But this configuration will still deliver impressive performance today.
Sony Xperia X Compact – 2016
If you are really on a budget and want a compact smartphone, the Xperia X Compact, launched in 2017, is a good place to look. With a 4.5″ display, 23MP camera, 3GB of RAM, 32GB storage, and a 2700mAh battery with 18W quick charging.
The processor is a mid-range affair – a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 – so you may not get full premium performance, but it is as close as it gets.
Price: $249.
Sony Xperia Z5 Compact – 2015
The last Sony Compact phone – and the least – on our list (do you see my rhyme?) is the 4.6″ Xperia Z5 Compact from 5 years ago. There is a Snapdragon 810 under the hood, along with 2GB of RAM. Storage space is 32 GB. There is a 23MP rear camera, a 2700mAh battery and 18W fast charging.
If you are really, really on a budget for a compact premium phone….the Xperia Z5 Compact will meet your budget – if you can still find it on sale.
What is the best Sony Compact phone?
At the moment, the best Sony Compact phone is the Xperia 5 III, launched in 2021.
What is the latest Sony Compact phone?
For now, the latest Sony Compact smartphone is also the Xperia 5 III.
What is a Compact smartphone?
A compact smartphone is defined as a premium/high-end smartphone with top features and specs, but with a smaller screen size. In 2019, screens of less than 6 inches (15.24 centimetres) are used in compact phones, and that yardstick has not changed for years since then. Find out the best compact smartphones you can buy today.
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Author:Mister Mobility
Digital Skills and Communication Coach | Mobile Phone Connoisseur since 2001 | Tech Blogging since 2004
