Punkt. MC03: Smartphone without Google, with subscription

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Swiss company Punkt. has introduced the MC03, a successor to the MC02, at CES 2026. The smartphone comes without Google services, has a replaceable battery, and is to be manufactured in Europe. For the operating system AphyOS, monthly fees will apply after one year for the 700 Euro device.

Punkt. describes the smartphone as "a real technological alternative to Big Tech." The MC03 is manufactured in cooperation with Gigaset in Bocholt and, with the AphyOS operating system developed in Switzerland, which is based on Android 15 (Android Open Source Project, AOSP), focuses on "maximum data sovereignty and security." The casing is of German production, according to Punkt..

Smartphone with subscription

As with its predecessor, the MC02, the MC03 is a subscription-based smartphone: The AphyOS operating system from developer Apostrophy is included in the purchase price for the first 12 months. After that, a paid subscription is required for continued use, which can be canceled at any time before it expires. If users opt for a monthly cancellable model, it costs 9.99 Euros per month. In the subscription bundle, it costs 129 Euros for 3 years and 199 Euros for 5 years. According to Punkt., the MC03 will receive Android updates for three years and security patches for five years.

The AphyOS operating system, which features a redesigned user interface, includes functions that, according to the manufacturer, filter out "tracking and profiling technologies, bloatware, hidden apps, and cumbersome background services." Furthermore, it prevents "espionage attempts and uses hardened code to defend against attacks, supported by a bank-grade Secure Element," the announcement states.

AphyOS with two partitions

In addition, the manufacturer divides the system into two separate partitions: In the "Vault" – a protected area – only trusted apps verified by Punkt. are executed. These include apps like Threema, Proton services such as Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN, and Pass. In the "Wild Web" partition, users can install any app. However, these will also be executed there under "strict, visible protective measures."

Furthermore, the manufacturer offers two app stores in the app hub: A curated store contains, according to Punkt., "a privacy-friendly selection of apps that have been pre-checked by AphyOS and Punkt." Via a standard app store, users also get access "to all common apps." The apps are "only activated" when the user selects them.

Also part of the subscription is a VPN "Digital Nomad." This enables users to protect their internet connection. Additionally, a "Data & Carbon Ledger" is integrated, where users can set the degree of data protection themselves. There is a choice between "No data protection," where all permissions are granted, and "Maximum data protection," where all requested app permissions are denied. The ledger also contains a "CO₂ reduction" function that gives users "insights into the energy consumption of their installed apps and allows them to control how these apps operate in the background." If users decide against a subscription, according to the manufacturer, "certain core functions and data protection features will be restricted" after the first year.

Lower mid-range hardware

Beyond the software, the MC03 can be classified as a smartphone in the lower mid-range in terms of its specifications. The manufacturer uses a Dimensity 7300 processor from MediaTek, which is also found in the 250 Euro cheaper CMF Phone 2 Pro. The RAM is 8 GB, but Punkt. unfortunately remains silent about the size of the flash storage. At least it can be expanded via a MicroSD card.

The smartphone's OLED screen has a diagonal of 6.67 inches and supports a refresh rate of 120 Hertz. The battery is rated at 5200 mAh. It is replaceable and can be charged wired with 30 W (PD 3.0) and wirelessly with 15 W. Despite its replaceable battery, the 240 g smartphone is protected against dust and water ingress according to IP68.

On the camera side, there are three on the back: a 64 MP wide-angle with phase detection autofocus (PDAF), an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle with fixed focus, and a 2 MP macro camera with fixed focus. The selfie camera has a 32 MP sensor with fixed focus.

According to the manufacturer, the MC03 can be pre-ordered now for 699 Euros here. Delivery is expected to start at the end of January.

(afl)