HIROH Phone: A $999 de-Googled smartphone with a physical kill switch aiming to rival Samsung and Apple.
De-Googling is a hot topic these days. What it really means is trying to limit how much Google knows about you when you're using your devices. Because of this, operating systems that focus on privacy, like GrapheneOS, are becoming more popular among people who don't want Google tracking them and want to keep their data safe.
Now, there's a new smartphone called the HIROH Phone that promises all of those things, plus it has a physical kill switch for extra security. Available for pre-order in the US for $99, but the final price will be $999 when it actually ships in February 2026. The company is based in Texas and they are aiming high and want to compete with big players like Samsung and Apple.
I found interesting that HIROH's website even has a comparison chart showing how the HIROH Phone stacks up against the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus. It's clear who they're trying to take on.
The HIROH Phone uses e/OS, a privacy-focused, de-Googled operating system that you can also find on devices like the Fairphone Gen 6. e/OS gets rid of all Google services and trackers, replacing them with open-source, privacy-friendly alternatives. This means your phone isn't constantly connecting to Google's servers or creating a profile of your behavior.
You still get the familiar Android experience, apps, customization, and features, but without all the data collection. The physical kill switch on the HIROH Phone lets you quickly turn off the camera and microphone, making sure that no app or malware can use them without your permission. There's also a separate switch to instantly disable GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. I think this is a game changer.
Inside, the phone has a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, which you can expand with a 2TB encrypted microSD card. It has a 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, a 108MP + 13MP + 2MP triple rear camera, and a 32MP front camera. It also has a large 5,000mAh battery and a fingerprint sensor for security.
According to the company, the HIROH Phone doesn't collect any data on the device itself, which sets it apart from mainstream smartphone brands like Samsung and Apple. It seems like this phone is designed for those who are serious about protecting their privacy.
Source: AndroidAuthority