The privacy-centric smartphone market just gained a bold new entrant. A new device called the HIROH phone, powered by the de-Googled /e/OS, has officially been announced in the United States. And its mission is crystal clear: cut off surveillance, tracking, and unwanted data collection at the source.
Unlike typical “privacy phones” that rely solely on software tweaks, HIROH introduces hardware-level privacy controls that no app or operating system can bypass. It’s aimed squarely at users wary of Big Tech monitoring.
Hardware kill switches guarantee privacy you can physically control
What truly sets the HIROH phone apart is the inclusion of two dedicated hardware kill switches. One switch cuts off the camera and microphone entirely at the hardware level, ensuring that no app, regardless of permissions or exploits, can turn them back on. The second switch disables GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth in an instant, preventing the device from emitting any trackable signals.
Because these controls operate physically and not through software, they can’t be overridden by the system or third-party apps. This offers far more reassurance than traditional airplane mode or permission toggles. For quick, all-around protection, the phone also includes a one-click “Privacy Lockdown Mode” that activates multiple safeguards simultaneously when needed.
Security beyond the OS
HIROH has layered privacy and security into the phone’s core rather than treating it as an add-on. All data is encrypted by default, and secure boot ensures the system can’t be tampered with during startup. If the device is ever lost or stolen, remote wipe capabilities allow owners to protect their information instantly.
The phone stores data locally by default, putting users in control of their files. Cloud backups are available but only when manually enabled, and every backup is end-to-end encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. HIROH also maintains a strict no-surveillance policy. There’s no behavioral tracking, no data profiling, no harvesting of location information, and no digital fingerprinting, which is a stark contrast to what users have come to expect from most mainstream smartphones.
HIROH phone major specs and features
Despite its niche positioning, the HIROH phone packs respectable flagship-grade specs:
Display & build
- 6.7-inch OLED, 1220×2712 pixels (1.5K)
- 120Hz refresh rate
- 1800 nits peak brightness (1200 nits HBM)
- Gorilla Glass Victus
Performance
- MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chipset
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB storage
- Up to 2TB via microSD
Cameras
- 108MP main sensor
- 13MP ultrawide
- 2MP auxiliary sensor
- 32MP front camera
Battery & other features
- 5000mAh battery
- 33W fast charging
- In-display fingerprint reader
- Mono speaker setup
/e/OS by default, Android 16 if you want it
By default, the phone ships with /e/OS, the open-source, de-Googled mobile operating system that replaces Google services with privacy-respecting alternatives.
However, for those unwilling to break from the mainstream, HIROH also offers a version preloaded with Android 16 and Google apps. As for pricing and availability, the HIROH phone goes for $999 with a $99 fully refundable reservation pass, with US shipping set for February 2026.
Reservations are now open through the official site, giving early adopters first dibs without financial risk.
Who is the HIROH phone for?
The HIROH phone is clearly targeting journalists, activists, corporate security professionals, and everyday users tired of data harvesting. It attempts to combine modern flagship hardware with uncompromising privacy, something even Apple and Samsung don’t offer at this level.
Whether the market is ready for a $999 de-Googled smartphone with physical kill switches remains to be seen, but HIROH is betting that digital autonomy has never been more valuable.
