14 DAY TRIAL // Purism, the hardware manufacturer behind the Librem laptop lineup powered by the PureOS Linux operating system, announced today the final and official shipping dates of the Librem 5 Linux phone.
In development since October 2017 and after a few delays, the privacy and security-focused Librem 5 Linux-powered smartphone from Purism is finally shipping later this month, but in batches as iterative production releases. Each batch will ship hardware and software updates, as well as improved mechanical design. The shipping starts September 24th and it will end in Q4 2020.
"The iteration schedule starts in September, 2019, and the Librem 5 will be shipping in batches with incrementing code names. Each iteration improves upon the prior in a rapid rolling release throughout the entire first version of the phone, including the public plans for the second revision of the phone for context," said Todd Weaver, Founder and CEO of Purism.
Here's what you'll get in the Librem 5 batches
The first batch, which will start shipping from September 24th until October 22nd, consists of the initial Librem 5 board and all hardware components, individual milled case with loose fit, varying alignment, and hand crafted unfinished switch caps. Software-wise, you'll get the initial release of core apps and software updates from the PureOS Store via terminal.
While the second batch will start shipping from October 29th until November 26th, and it will include the next run of the Librem 5 board with all hardware included, Aspen mechanical design with tighter fit and improved alignment, as well as improved setup, web browsing, and power management, the third batch will start shipping December 3rd until December 31st with all hardware, final setup and Birch mechanical design with capped switches.
Next year, the fourth batch is planned for the entire first quarter, from January 7th until March 31st, and it will consists of all hardware components, Chestnut mechanical design with refinements, improved core apps, additional applications, and a refined graphical PureOS Store. The fifth batch will offer a molded case and long term support software, expected in Q2 2020.
In Q4 2020, the sixth batch will include the second generation of the Librem 5 Linux phone with a 14nm CPU and long-term supported software. Purism gives customers the opportunity to select any of the aforementioned batches, but the sooner you place your order the earlier the shipping batch you arrive to your door. More details are available on the official Librem 5 website.
