Swiss Phone Promises Privacy, Charges You $12 Monthly to Pay Attention
KEY POINTS
- •Swiss company Punkt released the MC03 phone, promising better features and privacy improvements.
- •The MC03 is assembled in Europe, fulfilling Punkt's earlier commitment to move production from Asia.
- •Users receive one year of free software updates before being asked to pay $12 monthly thereafter.
Punkt, the Switzerland-based phone maker known for prioritizing privacy (and apparently subtle billing), has launched the MC03 smartphone built in Europe for the first time—not Asia as promised last year. The new MC03 attempts to fix the MC02’s less-than-stellar reputation, which was so disappointing that reviewers couldn’t even finish reviewing it. The MC03 offers a 6.67-inch display—because size does matter for subtlety—and includes a year of free software subscription, after which Punkt insists you cozy up to a $12 monthly fee to keep your secure software updates flowing. Who said privacy doesn't come with a price tag?
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(1 of 3)Punkt’s MC03 smartly improves flaws nobody asked to pay a subscription for in the first place. Privacy costs $12 a month, convenience not included.
Congrats to Punkt for making a phone so secure it locks your money inside a $12 subscription jail.
The MC03 is proof that nothing says security like a hidden subscription charge made in Europe rather than Asia.
Source: Theverge | Published: 1/2/2026 | Author: Allison Johnson
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