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Unplugged Relaunches UP Phone With US Assembly Plan

The company aims to strengthen its privacy credentials by promising to hand-assemble the UP Phone in Nevada this fall.

Overview

  • Joe Weil has been named CEO to lead a relaunch featuring a refreshed UnpluggedOS interface and deeper privacy customization.
  • Hand-assembly of UP Phones in Nevada will start this fall, even as non-U.S. models remain built in Indonesia and key components are sourced internationally.
  • The handset remains priced at $989 and includes a first-year privacy-service subscription before transitioning to a $12.99 monthly or $129.99 annual fee.
  • GrapheneOS developers and independent researchers have renewed criticism of the device’s security features and raised concerns about long-term support.
  • Cybersecurity firm Raxis reported strong tracker-blocking in preliminary tests but those findings have not been widely corroborated.