Punkt. MC02

£599.00

We live in a world where almost everyone has a smartphone in their pockets connecting them to the busy online world. These phones constantly inundate us with emails, texts, social media and news that sometimes can be completely overwhelming. I know personally that being continually connected to the online world can be draining, and I’ve had to become more intentional about spending my time online and how I choose to interact with it over time.

This focus on intentional smartphone use, and how our data interacts with the world is something that the Swiss company Punkt. took on board as it began developing electronics that are designed to work well for us. Punkt. has developed the MC02 smartphone which is the first model on the market which is designed with this intentionality in mind by developing towards a future where our privacy, data and security are made a priority.

When the Punkt. MC02 arrived on my desk I was very intrigued, as the MC02 does not use the same operating systems that I was familiar with, but instead offers a unique form of smartphone which is completely designed to protect your personal data. Punkt. are very aware that today we are tracked, traced, targeted, profiled and analysed across the internet via our smartphones. Therefore, the MC02 has been designed as an alternative option for those who want to protect their data and stop big tech companies from profiting from the sale of this information. The MC02 is consequently a secure smartphone model which protects your data with a minimalist operating system that focuses on transparency to ensure that you know where your data is going and how it is being used.

When I first opened the box, I was impressed with how minimalist the phone design is, with a 6.7-inch high-definition screen and an all-black backing. The only branding on the phone is a small white ‘Punkt.’ logo on the back bottom corner which is super subtle and gives a nice modern look to the phone. I found setting up the phone was a little more complex than previous smartphones as changing to a new operating system always comes with a little learning curve. However, after a little practice and reading the set-up booklet, I was quickly able to transfer my contacts over and begin to build the phone to my preferences.

When you first set up the phone you are met with the secure ‘home space’ of the phone, which is supported by Apostrophy, the software developer supporting the MC02 model. Here you can find the basics you need to get started with emails, calendars, contacts, notes, storage, and the Aphy Store. From here you can begin to customize your phone to you and begin to download the apps you’d usually use for your device. However, I will note that the Aphy store does not have every app you may desire as each needs to be vetted by Aphy’s team to ensure that your personal data can be protected when using them.

After I was set up and had downloaded the necessary apps to the phone, I was impressed with just how much it focused on ensuring you are aware of your privacy and your footprint across the internet. One of the best ways the MC02 does this is with a built-in VPN. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, allows you to remain untraced whilst searching on the internet by creating a remote connection between your phone and the outside world to ensure that any information can remain protected, untraced and will not end up being utilised for targeted ads or sold on to other companies.

I love the refreshing take the MC02 has on internet data privacy, as not only does it come with this VPN built in but each phone has a Data & Carbon Ledger section so you can get a real-time view of your presence online and see the impact your data has left. This focuses on making the user more aware of the potential risks and highlights Punkt.’s commitment to transparency regarding data and security across its devices. The phone doesn’t hide where data is used and allows you to take more purposeful control over what data you choose to share and what data you choose not to. All data gathered by Punkt. is therefore protected under Switzerland’s data privacy constitutions and laws.

Using the phone is a fun experience that provides everything you need to connect to the world whilst making sure you remain intentional about your usage and how your data. I personally found the camera was great quality, and the back camera was perfect for taking pictures and videos of everyday life. However, the front camera, like most phones, does leave a little to be desired. In terms of connection, the MC02 supports 5G and so had a great signal no matter where I was which was also great.

One thing I must note is that the MC02 does utilise a subscription model to use the phone and its secure systems. The phone comes with a 12-month subscription upon purchase, however, beyond this, the subscription is CHF 14.99 a month (roughly £13). To buy the phone and then have a subscription on top does add to the overall price of the phone and its continued usage. Whilst the price is to cover the ongoing secure data systems and things such as the VPN, it does make the overall price something that should be factored in when purchasing. However, the MC02 is a unique phone that provides something new to the smartphone market, so the price and functionality do seem to balance out.

Overall, the MC02 is a unique and intriguing smartphone which is focused on providing a secure connection to the internet, whilst keeping you and your data safe. If you are looking for a new way to use your phone where your information isn’t up for grabs and you can remain more aware of the impact of your data online, then the Punkt. MC02 is a perfect choice for you. Whilst the price is high and it does require a subscription after the first year, if you’re serious about protecting your data then the MC02 is definitely worth looking into.

Pros:

• Provides a secure and safe smartphone model for protecting your data
• Phone includes a builtin VPN for secure online searching
• Minimalist and sleek look

Cons:

• Requires a subscription service after the first year of use