This phone has its own built-in VPN and doesn't use Android or iOS

Opinion
By published

And you’ve probably never heard of it

Punkt MC02 Phone review.
(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to staying safe on mobile it often feels like you have to pick Android or iOS, but both have their pros and cons, and both have their privacy concerns. Do you pick between Google, one of the world’s largest companies? Or Apple, one of the world’s largest companies? Not much of a choice. 

Well, the third option is neither. The Punkt MC02 is a phone with a difference that was released earlier this year. It’s a privacy-focused phone, but it’s not one of the functionally limited (but increasingly popular) “dumbphones”. This is a fully-fledged smartphone that runs a separate operating system, Apostrophy OS, with all of the user’s data encrypted and kept in secure Swiss servers. 

Daily use

Punkt MC02 Phone review.

(Image credit: Future)

But how is the MC02 as a phone? It does pretty much everything you’d expect as a smartphone, but just not very spectacularly. The camera is a functional 64 MP, the display a mediocre 60 Hz and the plastic casing doesn't exactly scream luxury. Battery life is pretty impressive however with a 5500 maH capacity. 

The Apostrophy OS (yes, that's how it's spelled) isn't particularly difficult to use, if you've used Android, you won't be too lost, but what might confuse you is the monochrome nature of the home screen. All of the more secure Apostrophy OS apps are black and white while any sideloaded Android apps are in full color, a striking and identifiable way of warning.

Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that you’ll need a paid subscription to make the most of Apostrophy’s data services. Although you do get a year for free with the purchase of the device.

If you’re attached to your current phone, or wedded to a specific operating system, then the best thing you could do is invest in a VPN be it for an Android or iPhone. Our top pick is NordVPN which offers superb performance and privacy. 

Andy Sansom

Andy is a freelance writer with a passion for streaming and VPNs. Based in the U.K., he originally cut his teeth at Tom's Guide as a Trainee Writer before moving to cover all things tech and streaming at T3. Outside of work, his passions are movies, football (soccer) and Formula 1. He is also something of an amateur screenwriter having studied creative writing at university.