Jolla Returns to Hardware with New Crowdfunded Sailfish OS Smartphone

Fourteen years after its founding, Finnish company Jolla is attempting a comeback to the hardware market with a new Linux-based smartphone running its Sailfish OS platform. The move marks a significant shift for the company, which has primarily focused on offering its software stack for other devices since its initial hardware venture in 2013.

From MeeGo to Sailfish OS

Jolla emerged from the ashes of Nokia's abandoned MeeGo project, which was discontinued in 2011. The company was founded by former Nokia employees who sought to continue the development of a Linux-based smartphone operating system. Their first device, released in 2013 after a successful crowdfunding campaign, represented one of the early attempts at creating a viable alternative to Android and iOS.

Since then, Jolla's focus has shifted to providing Sailfish OS as software for existing hardware, including Sony Xperia smartphones and various OnePlus, Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi devices maintained by the community. The company also ventured into AI hardware last year with an "AI computer" announcement.

The New Jolla Phone

While no official announcement has been made yet, indications of a new Jolla smartphone crowdfunding campaign have emerged. The Jolla Store is now offering a "Jolla Phone Preorder Voucher" for 99 EUR, described as an "independent European Do It Together (DIT) Linux phone, shaped by the people who use it."

The pre-order campaign requires at least 2,000 units to be ordered within the next month by January 4, 2026. As of now, 383 units have been ordered. The device will cost 499 EUR or 599-699 EUR at the "normal" price, with the voucher deducting from the final cost if the campaign succeeds.

The Jolla Phone is being marketed for the EU, UK, Norway, and Switzerland markets and comes with several notable features:

• Running Sailfish OS
• 12GB of RAM
• 256GB of storage (expandable up to 2TB)
• User-replaceable battery
• Physical privacy switches
• Powered by a "high performant Mediatek 5G platform" (specific SoC not yet named)

Significance for Alternative Mobile Ecosystems

Jolla's return to hardware comes at a time when concerns about mobile platform dominance and data privacy are at the forefront of technological discussions. The company's emphasis on privacy features and its European positioning could appeal to users seeking alternatives to mainstream platforms.

The crowdfunding approach allows Jolla to gauge market interest without the significant financial risk of mass production. However, the company will need to overcome several challenges, including establishing a robust developer ecosystem and ensuring compatibility with essential applications.

As the mobile landscape continues to evolve with the rise of AI and increasing privacy concerns, Jolla's attempt to revive a Linux-based smartphone platform represents an interesting experiment in maintaining diversity in the mobile operating system market. Whether the campaign reaches its goal and the device can find a sustainable market remains to be seen, but it highlights the enduring appeal of open-source alternatives in the mobile space.