Jolla, Punkt, Hiroh and /e/OS: Android alternatives at the MWC

Jan Johannsen

9.3.2026

Translation: Patrik Stainbrook

Pictures: Jan Johannsen

The range of Android alternatives doing without USA-based Google services is growing. Here’s how three of these projects are progressing.

At the Mobile World Congress, well-known manufacturers dominate the exhibition halls with large stands. Jolla, Punkt and Hiroh, on the other hand, only muster smaller stalls. Still, they’ve brought along smartphones to try out. And my first impression may provide hope to anyone looking to move on from Google.

Punkt and Apostrophy: a duo from Switzerland

Swiss manufacturer Punkt already announced its new smartphone, the MC03, at the beginning of January. It should go on sale at the end of March, and the software has already proven itself on the previous model. The smartphone is manufactured by Gigaset in Germany and expected to cost 699 euros or francs.

Admittedly, the Punkt MC03 won’t win any design awards. Following a brief test, however, it leaves a better impression than its predecessor, which disappointed me. Its display in particular has improved and is easy to read. The software runs smoothly, to be expected given the announced hardware.

With Apostrophy, the manufacturer is relying on its own version of Android. Data protection is central, Google services don’t come pre-installed. Instead, you’ll find Proton services on your smartphone. Using virtual rotary knobs, which Apostrophy calls Ledgers, you select the extent to which an app can access your data.

According to information at the stall, the sales launch at the end of March is set to go ahead as planned. Until then, only updates to the software are expected. The biggest point of criticism following the MC03’s announcement surrounded Apostrophy requiring a subscription after a year of use. A contentious question: pay with data or spend money on privacy?

I already got my hands on a Punkt MC03 test device. What do you want to know about the phone or Apostrophy? What are you interested in particularly? Let me know in the comments.

The Soverli stand is located right next to Apostrophy’s. It’s a start-up from Zurich that wants to integrate the ability to switch between two operating systems at the touch of a button via software. Something which requires cooperation with smartphone manufacturers. They used a Punkt M03 running Apostrophy and Linux as a proof of concept.

Fellow editor Lorenz had an in-depth chat with Soverli:

Jolla Phone: the Finnish heir to Nokia

When Nokia sold its smartphone division to Microsoft in 2011, a few former employees founded Jolla. They wanted to continue developing smartphone software. Sailfish OS was the result, and it’s being further developed away from the mainstream. Similar to the Aurora Store, the operating system allows you to install all Android apps in a sandbox. One software developer at the stand, for example, was delighted at being able to use his Finnish bank’s app. However, Jolla also offers its own app store with recommended and native applications.

In December, the Finnish company launched pre-sales for its new Jolla Phone. Advance sales closed at 10,000 pre-orders. Regular sales are set to kick off in quarter three; the smartphone will reportedly cost between 599 and 699 euros.

Visually, it looks higher quality than the Punkt device and stands out with snazzy colours. The manufacturing quality of the early models on display is already excellent. Following a quick test, the hardware seemed stable enough.

Sailfish OS, which runs on the Jolla Phone, isn’t an Android variant, but a proprietary operating system. Unlike open-source software, the code can’t be independently inspected. For everyday use, the lack of NFC support for mobile payments could be a negative point.

Hiroh Phone: optionally with /e/OS

With the Hiroh Phone, you can choose between two operating systems variants: classic Android or the Google-free /e/OS model. Either way, the American manufacturer from Austin, Texas, positions its device as a premium smartphone – charging 1,199 euros. The Hiroh was already announced last September, and the manufacturer is planning a European launch in May.

The smartphone looks even more premium in my hand than the Punkt or the Jolla Phone. Nevertheless, the price is quite an ask given the installed hardware. Still, at least the Hiroh Phone has a switch for deactivating the camera, microphone and wireless connections, regardless of the operating system selected.

Finally, Fairphone and Motorola

The Fairphone 6 was another smartphone with /e/OS at the MWC. But seeing as it’s already been out since last summer, I’m only mentioning it here for the sake of completeness.

During the MWC, Motorola also announced it’ll be building smartphones running GrapheneOS from 2027.

Jan Johannsen

Senior Editor

Jan.Johannsen@galaxus.de

As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus. more

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