Librem 5 security and privacy-focused smartphone is powered by a GNU/Linux operating system based on Debian GNU/Linux and running only Open Source software apps on top of a popular desktop environment like KDE Plasma Mobile or GNOME Shell.

"Running Free/Libre and Open Source software and a GNU+Linux Operating System designed to create an open development utopia, rather than the walled gardens from all other phone providers", said Purism.

"A fully standards-based freedom-oriented system, based on Debian and many other upstream projects."

The Librem 5 smartphone also wants to be the world's first ever IP-native mobile device that uses decentralized end-to-end encrypted communication. It won't be compatible with Google's Android or Apple's iOS mobile operating systems, but it's capable of running any GNU/Linux distribution if its source code is freely available.

Under the bonnet is an i.MX 6 or i.MX 8 processor with separate baseband modem which is designed to make it difficult to be monitored by government agencies.

Librem 5 also features hardware kill switches for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, camera, microphone, as well as baseband. It runs Purism's PureOS GNU/Linux by default, which is based on the Debian GNU/Linux operating system.

When it ships it will offer basic communication services: phone, email, messaging, voice, camera, browsing, and will expand after shipment and over time to more free software applications, through shared collaboration with the developer community, notes Purism on the Librem 5 website.

It can run HTML5 apps, and native Linux programs. It can connect to Android, iOS, or Windows devices, and can be transformed into a full-fledged PC if you attach a monitor, keyboard and mouse. The first units are expected to arrive Q1 2019

Purism needs to find a manufacturer to build the units, which will go through a complex hardware testing process. PureOS also needs to be thoroughly tested before it can be deployed on Librem 5, so expect it to arrive in Q1 2019.