Tech companies collect vast amounts of your data when you use their products. They tell you it’s for understanding your use patterns and providing better services. But no one knows how much data they collect and what they use it for. Even worse, it’s almost impossible to stay private, considering the pervasiveness of technology today.
But Punkt has a solution. The Swiss company announced the world’s first privacy-focused smartphone last month at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES2024). It comes with Apostrophy OS, a built-in VPN, and its own mobile network, among other unique features. You can take control of your privacy for a small subscription fee or two.
MC02 phone users can now enjoy unlimited connectivity on Gigs' network
Punkt has launched its own wireless service exclusively for the MC02 phone users in the USA. The company partnered with Gigs, a pioneering telecom-as-a-service platform, to make “Punkt. Mobile” possible. After purchasing the MC02, you can activate a Punkt. Mobile SIM cards and access plans vary from 4GB to unlimited data monthly. Also, you can cancel them at any time.
“By pairing our devices with tailored phone plans from Gigs, we provide the peace of mind of staying connected while fostering mindful habits for a healthier tech balance”.
Peter Nebby, Founder and CEO of Punkt.
Punkt. Mobile kicks off with a top-level plan that costs $60. It shares 5G data, unlimited talk and text, flexible plan management, and no activation fee with all other plans. The exception is hotspot access. The other plans are as follows:
- Unlimited Plus Plan: $55 per month.
- 10GB Plan: $40 per month.
- 4GB Plan: $30 per month.
With these plans, Punkt. Mobile offers straightforward connectivity that doesn’t overwhelm you with options you might not even be interested in. With the added capabilities of Apostrophy services, your MC02 device becomes a powerhouse.
Apostrophy services strengthen your phone for another small fee
Part of what makes Punkt’s MC02 phone unique is the Apostrophy OS. Stemming from Punkt’s partnership with Apostrophy, the OS provides a minimalist black-and-white UI with a basic suite of apps. It’s based on GrapheneOS, which is also based on Android.
Though it doesn’t have the Google Play Store, it provides pre-loaded tools for calls, messaging, email, maps, and a calendar. The concept makes sense, considering the data that is collected in the background with most third-party apps. Punkt wants to make app installation an opt-in basis and enables a Google Mobile Services (GMS) wizard to walk you through installing apps from the Play Store if you decide to risk it.
Apostrophy also offers 5GB cloud storage for email, messaging, calendar, Vanadium browser, Data & Carbon Ledger, Digital Nomad VPN, and GMS Wizard services. For the first year, you can sync them across Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android devices for free. After that, you’ll commit to a CHF 14.99 fee per month, which is roughly $18. It’s optional, and you can use your phone without the services. You don’t need to use your credit card until the renewal date.
However, you’ll no longer receive VPN protection, and your Pay-in Machines (PIM) functions on the server will change to “read-only” mode. In other words, you won't be able to make payments or transactions actively, and you can only view existing data. Punkt says you can save any important files before the service fully shuts down, although the company hasn’t specified a timeframe.
The Punkt MC02 is already available
Punkt’s MC02 is a sleek device with a 6.7-inch IPS display with FHD+ resolution. It's powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor with 6GB RAM and a monster 5,500mAh battery powering it behind the screen. Its storage space peaks at 128GB, but it’s expandable up to 2TB via a MicroSD card. A 64MP sensor headlines the rear camera sensor with an 8GB ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro lens for company, while the front-facing snapper has 24 megapixels. You can order the MC02 for $749 directly from the Punkt website via the link below.
