NitroPhone 1: The 'safest Android smartphone in the world' is a Google Pixel 4a with a third-party ROM installed
Nitrokey may be known for selling encrypted USB sticks and the like, but the company has turned its hands to smartphones. According to the company's promotional material, it believes that the NitroPhone 1 combines security, privacy and a simple user experience with modern hardware. While that may be true, the NitroPhone 1 is less exciting than at first glance.
Unfortunately, the device is nothing more than a Pixel 4a with GrapheneOS installed, formerly know as CopperheadOS. In short, GrapheneOS is an Android fork without Google Mobile Services (GMS), although you can install them should you wish to do so. Google will continue supporting the Pixel 4a for two years, so the NitroPhone 1 will not have the longest shelf life.
GrapheneOS is free to install, so we are struggling to see what value Nitrokey is offering here for its €630 asking price. By contrast, the Pixel 4a costs US$349. Nitrokey will remove the device's microphone for an additional layer of security, but that does not cover the €200+ difference between the NitroPhone 1 and the Pixel 4a.
If you are interested in purchasing the NitroPhone 1, you can do so via Nitrokey's website. The company accepts SEPA bank transfers, PayPal, Bitcoin and credit cards, for reference.
Source(s)
Nitrokey via Liliputing, Daniel Romero - Image credit
