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The Punkt MC02, at face value, isn’t a good value. It doesn’t have the best processors or cameras, and its value proposition for most people just isn’t there. You could compare this to a budget Samsung on a prepaid service, and likely be able to purchase a similarly specced phone for $30.
However, for those select few who want a phone that doesn’t sell their data, aren’t interested in knowing your every move, and is built from the ground up to keep you off the grid, while still giving you the grid at your fingertips, this is likely one of the best choices you have.
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What is the Punkt MC02?
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- You get full visibility of your security.
- The feel of the device is great.
- The Play Store isn't pre-installed
- The camera is mediocre.
- This is an aging device at a high price point.
- Subscription service is an additional cost.
This is an Android 13-based phone that aims to give you complete control over your privacy data. While you are fully able to download and use any Android App you could want, the phone automatically gives you separate home screens, giving you a choice between secure apps and non-secure apps to choose from. This is a major part of what Punkt’s in-house version of Android 13, called Apostrophy OS, has to offer.
The OS does its best to offer zero-tracking, has end-to-end encryption, and uses a built-in VPN to help you not be tracked. However, to offset the costs of not being able to sell your data, it houses all of this in mid-range device specs, meaning you’ll be trading better security for a lackluster phone experience.
What did I like about the MC02?
1. You get full visibility of your security.
Your data security isn’t something you normally would be able to visualize. Most brands show a moving lock, or random icons to show your data is secure, but let’s be honest, most of us (including myself) don’t really understand how it all works. Punkt overcomes this by showing you two home screens.
The first home screen is grayed out (what they assume is the most secure feeling of colors), which reflects all of the different apps that they have, that are secure and ready for you to use without sharing your info.
On the other hand, if you prefer to use those data-hungry apps (social media, I’m looking at you), you won’t find those mingling with the secure apps. Those live on the next home screen over, which is much more colorful but definitely not as secure. I think this is a great way to visualize what is, and isn’t, secure.
2. The feel of the device is great.
I spent much of my cell phone sales experience back in the early 2010s, where smartphones were actually interesting, and brands were always trying something new. Today, we normally just see a glass sandwich design, with a bezel-less front. Nothing to write home about.
While the Punkt MC02 (Paid Link) doesn’t totally stray away from that trend, it does feel and look great.
The rear of the phone has a textured plastic design, with its triple cameras stacked on top of each other in the top left of the back. The off-center Punkt logo sits directly opposite on the bottom right.
It all feels a bit more professional (which makes sense) than other brands, and I appreciate it.
3. The Play Store isn’t pre-installed
I really struggled with whether to put the lack of Play Store in the Pros or Cons side of this article, and ultimately decided to place it in the upsides category. This just truly shows how dedicated they are to keeping your data secured. Sure, you can install the Play Store (Punkt adds software for this), and sure it’s a complete pain to get everything working to do so, but it really reminds you that this phone is not meant to be like the rest. It really forces you to think before you act in the world of eroding privacy.
What did I not like about this security phone?
1. The camera is mediocre.
The Punkt MC02 comes with three lenses: a 64 megapixel main camera, an 8 megapixel wide-angle lens, and a 2 megapixel macro lens. As for the front, it’s offering a 24 megapixel camera for those selfies. While this is actually a recipe for what most would expect to be a relatively spectacular image quality, in the end, it feels half-hearted. The images don’t feel crisp, the focus isn’t the best, and they are just overall lacking.
Now, it should be mentioned, this is by no means a phone that is built to be a camera. In fact, it takes quite a few page scrolls and clicking “more specifications” to even find what kind of camera this phone has on their website, so you can only expect so much. Just be aware that if a camera is important to you, you might want to keep looking.
That said, if you just need a camera that you can use to scan documents, and just not lose out on a family memory, this should do more than enough for you.
2. This is an aging device at a high price point.
The Punkt MC02 is an aging device at this point. It was originally released in January of 2024, meaning it’s now around 2 years old, and in the smartphone world, that’s ancient. They, of course, have curbed the price point a bit by offering it at a little under $500 at the time of this writing (it originally was $749), but even at this lower price, it’s competing with phones that are just a better deal overall.
With that said, let’s explain why that is. The MC02 is an extremely niche device, in that it is doing its best not share your data in a data-oriented day. While most phone manufacturers are trying to sell your data to the highest bidder and are able to subsidize their phones because of it, Punkt isn’t able to do that with their devices, because they have sworn not sell your data.
I guess in the end, its up to you to decide what your data is worth, and if you are willing to spend more for less capability.
3. Subscription service is an additional cost.
I struggle with this, I really do. Other phones, like the Wisephone, also have a paid service, and it comes down to one reason. Data. Brands like Punkt are in a conundrum, where they don’t want to take your data and sell it like everyone else, but that also is where most brands actually make a large amount of their money. Most brands can take that money and offset the cost of their devices (subsidizing them), so that more people can afford them, and they can get more data to turn around and sell.
Meanwhile, phones like this Punkt MC02 don’t sell your data, and can’t make money on the back end. This means they either have to raise their initial price or sell a subscription service. Unfortunately, Punkt had to do both on this. So you’ll have to decide how important your date really is.
Who is it this Punkt for?
If you are looking for a phone that competes with the latest flagship Samsung or Apple smartphone, you probably should just avoid this one. You’ll be sorely disappointed.
On the other hand, if you are someone who has been screaming from the rooftops to have Blackberry back in the game, you are likely the person who is well-suited for this device. You probably aren’t as concerned about specs and are more concerned with making sure that IPO paperwork doesn’t get leaked to the press.
Where should you buy the phone?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- You get full visibility of your security.
- The feel of the device is great.
- The Play Store isn't pre-installed
- The camera is mediocre.
- This is an aging device at a high price point.
- Subscription service is an additional cost.
