Posts by RAW

Murena and /e/ Foundation launch privacy-centric smartphones

No need to buy Murena One when you can get exactly the same phone for half the price

The Murena One device is just the ODM variant (4500mAh battery instead of 5000mAh) of the Coolpad Cool S [model 2039 - manufactured by Yulong Computer Telecommunication Scientific (Shenzhen) Co. LTD].

We're talking about a Q1 2021 (underwhelming) device with current street price below 180USD.

https://twitter.com/relationsatwork/status/1531783994366259200

Therefore, users who wish to try /e/OS V1 have better alternatives, since they can :

A. Directly buy the CoolPad Cool S (saving 200USD) & flash the official /e/OS build for Murena One (available for free) = same hardware and software for less than 180USD

or (even better)

B. Spend the same 380USD budget for a better device & flash the officially released /e/OS device build or GSI (if device build not available)

/e/OS V1 is a good thing... Murena One so-so

Users can indeed buy the same exact phone for half the price and flash (for free) the same /e/OS V1 build of Murena One (that will be officially provided by /e/ foundation) ;) .

The Murena One hardware device is just the ODM variant (4500mAh battery instead of 5000mAh) of the Coolpad Cool S - model 2039 - manufactured by Yulong Computer Telecommunication Scientific (Shenzhen) Co. LTD.

We're talking about a Q1 2021 (underwhelming) device with current street price below 180USD.

- - -

Therefore, users who wish to try /e/OS V1 have better alternatives, since they can :

A. Directly buy the CoolPad Cool S (saving 200USD) & flash the official /e/OS V1 build (based on Android 10/Q) for Murena One (available for free) = same hardware and software for less than 180USD

or even better

B. Spend the same 380USD budget for a better device & flash the officially released /e/OS device build or GSI (if device build not available) - already based on Android 11/R

- - -

True that the hardware isn't the selling point, but Murena usually charges a software retail markup in range 55-75USD for officially pre-installed /e/OS (check for instance the Fairphone 3+ and 4 listings in Murena shop).

Sorry, but that there isn't any in-house design/choice for the hardware of Murena One. Therefore, there's nothing that could justify such huge markup increase from the usually applied one up to 200USD.