TL;DR
Punkt’s MC03, a privacy-focused smartphone assembled in Germany, will be sold in the US this spring for $699. It upgrades several hardware elements from the MC02 and runs AphyOS (based on AOSP 15) but requires a paid software subscription after the first year.
What happened
Punkt introduced the MC03 as an upgraded follow-up to last year’s MC02, positioning the device around privacy and European assembly. The MC03 moves production to a Gigaset factory in Bocholt, Germany, and brings hardware changes including a 6.67-inch 120Hz OLED display, a 5,200mAh user-replaceable battery, IP68 dust-and-water resistance and a MediaTek 7300 chipset. Software comes from Apostrophy’s AphyOS, built on AOSP 15, which the company says removes many background tracking features and provides proprietary email and calendar apps while allowing Play Store apps to run in a sandbox. Punkt promises three OS upgrades and five years of security updates. The phone is priced at $699 in the US and will be available this spring; the article also notes a recurring subscription fee after the first free year, but the monthly amount is reported inconsistently in the source.
Why it matters
- European assembly marks a shift from many phones built in Asia and could affect supply-chain and sourcing transparency.
- AphyOS aims to reduce background tracking and separate app behavior from Google services, reflecting growing demand for privacy-first mobile software.
- A user-replaceable battery and five years of security updates target longevity and device maintenance, contrasting with many sealed modern phones.
- The device’s cost model — an upfront price plus an ongoing software subscription — underscores a commercial approach to privacy that may affect long-term ownership costs.
Key facts
- US price: $699.
- US availability window: this spring (exact date not provided in the source).
- Display: 6.67-inch 120Hz OLED, replacing last year’s 60Hz LCD.
- Battery: 5,200mAh and user-replaceable.
- Chipset: MediaTek 7300.
- Durability: IP68 rating.
- Software: AphyOS from Apostrophy, based on AOSP 15; offers sandboxing for Play Store apps and proprietary email/calendar apps.
- Updates: scheduled for three OS upgrades and five years of security patches.
- Assembly: first Punkt phone assembled in Germany, at Gigaset’s Bocholt factory.
- Subscription: first year free; the article lists a recurring monthly fee but gives conflicting figures ($10 and $12/month) — the precise ongoing price is not confirmed in the source.
What to watch next
- Exact US launch date and retail availability details — the article only specifies 'this spring'.
- Clarification of the recurring subscription price and the terms of three- and five-year update commitments (source reports both $10 and $12/month in different passages).
- Real-world performance and camera quality compared with competitors running more current OS versions — not confirmed in the source.
- How assembly in Germany affects delivery times, component sourcing, and final pricing versus phones assembled in Asia — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- AOSP: Android Open Source Project — the base code for Android that manufacturers can use to build customized operating systems.
- OLED: Organic Light-Emitting Diode, a display technology known for deep blacks and high contrast compared with traditional LCD panels.
- IP68: An ingress-protection rating indicating resistance to dust and the ability to withstand immersion in water under specified conditions.
- Sandboxing: A security approach that isolates apps from each other and from sensitive system components to limit unwanted interactions or data access.
- User-replaceable battery: A battery designed so the device owner can remove and replace it without specialized equipment or service visits.
Reader FAQ
When will the MC03 be available in the US?
The article says it will arrive in the US this spring; no exact date was provided.
How much does the MC03 cost?
The phone’s US price is listed as $699. The source says the first year of the phone’s software subscription is free but reports inconsistent monthly fees thereafter ($10 and $12 are both mentioned).
Where is the phone assembled?
Punkt’s MC03 is assembled in Bocholt, Germany, at a Gigaset factory.
What software does the MC03 run and how long will it be updated?
It ships with AphyOS from Apostrophy, based on AOSP 15, and is scheduled for three OS upgrades plus five years of security updates.
TECH GADGETS NEWS Punkt’s German-made MC03 smartphone comes to the US this spring The latest iteration of Punkt’s privacy-focused phone beefs up the hardware. by Allison Johnson Jan 2, 2026,…
Sources
- Punkt’s German-made MC03 smartphone comes to the US this spring
- Punkt. MC03 Premium Secure Smartphone + 1 year of …
- Punkt. MC02 Smartphone – Unlocked Cell Phone with Built …
- Punkt MC03 waiting list
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