There’s a new Android phone in town and you may like it. Called Murena One, it won’t beat the top-notch devices at any benchmark test, but it will do something its competitors can’t do – it will protect your privacy.
The trick is to use core Android without any Google services. That is easier said than done and Murena had to rely on someone to make this happen. To that end, they’ve implemented deGoogled Android OS called /e/OS as well as NextCloud to provide users with access to other-than-Google services.
Up until now, the mentioned OS combo was available on regular Android smartphones, with eFoundation (the company behind /e/OS) installing its own platform instead of the one Google has certified. Murena One is a first-party device that doesn’t rely on other handset makers.
In other words, it does NOT come with Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Chrome, Google Maps, Google Search, or any of the other proprietary software that comes with most Android phones sold today (except in China). The price is set at $379, CA$479, £291, €346, and 292 CHF — in the US, Canada, Europe, the UK and Switzerland, respectively.
All being said, Murena One is not the device everyone will appreciate as for one reason or another many of us got used to Google services. Yes, you will get some replacement apps to use and you can always install additional stuff — but will that suffice?
For what it’s worth it comes with the microG framework, which mimics Google Mobile Services many of today’s apps rely on to work.
If you do value your privacy, you should put in an extra effort in order to make this device work for you. Murena One won’t keep track of every step you make and won’t try to serve you as many ads as humanly possible.
The one problem I have with this device is its hardware. As someone who’s usually using a snappy smartphone, I’m not sure I will get that from Murena.
It is a mid-range product, sporting MediaTek’s Helio P60 octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM and a 6.5-inch full HD+ screen. On the camera front, there’s a 25 megapixel selfie shooter, and a trio of cameras on the back — with 48, 8 and 5 megapixels sensors, respectively. Also, there is 128GB of built-in storage expandable with microSD cards, dual SIM support and a solid 4500 mAh battery.
The Murena One is carrier unlocked and comes with a 2-year warranty. Those who “bit the bullet” are promised to get software and security updates for at least 3 years.
So the question is – is your privacy worth the effort of getting a de-Googled smartphone? The way I see it, it is up to each of us to answer this. What do you say?