Murena taking pre-orders for the Hiroh smartphone powered by /e/OS, a privacy-focused version of Android 16 – NotebookCheck.net News
Murena has started taking pre-orders for the Hiroh privacy phone. The privacy-first device has a physical hardware kill switch for the camera and microphone, and comes with an AMOLED display and a 108 MP camera. It runs /e/OS, a customized version of Android stripped of data-collecting code.
Murena has begun taking pre-orders for the $999/999€ Hiroh phone powered by the company’s privacy-focused /e/OS operating system. The phone can also be pre-ordered from Hiroh. A $99/99€ deposit is required, which is applied as a credit when the phone is launched in February 2026, and then the remaining balance must be paid to receive the phone.
The Hiroh uses a modified version of Android 16 with data-collecting code stripped out to prevent Google from collecting personal information on Internet use and communications. The /e/OS/ operating system can also block apps from using trackers and gathering location information, with independent settings per app. The privacy-focused OS is compatible with Android 16, so most Android apps can be installed and run, according to Murena. OS updates for five years are provided. For buyers who don’t care about privacy, a variant of the Hiroh phone with the stock Android 16 OS can be purchased.
Buyers will receive a smartphone powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 SoC, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of encrypted storage. A microSD card slot allows for storage expansion up to an additional 2 TB. The front 32 MP selfie camera and 2 MP macro, 13 MP wide, and 108 MP main cameras, along with the microphone, are controlled by a kill switch that disconnects them at the hardware level to prevent secret recordings by remote hackers and others. The wireless 5G, Bluetooth 5.2, and Wi-Fi 6E connections are controlled through a software kill switch. The phone supports both a nano SIM and eSIM.
The phone has a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, with a resolution of 1,220 x 2,712 pixels and a 120 Hz refresh rate, with a 5,000 mAh battery packaged in an aluminum body with a glass back, all in platinum or black. The display has a peak brightness of 1,800 nits and a rated brightness of 1,200 nits, while the battery supports 33W fast charging.
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Having worked at Activision, UCLA, Anime Expo and more, I’ve seen technology being used to save lives, create games, and create fantastic 3D VR/AR worlds. There’s always something fun in emerging technology that I want to get my hands on and all my friends turn to me to find the best for their needs, so I’m glad to bring my experience to Notebookcheck.
David Chien, 2025-12-30 (Update: 2025-12-30)
