Purism has opened crowdfunding for the Librem 5 v2, the second generation of its Linux phone — now with a RISC-V processor instead of ARM. The device runs PureOS, a GNU/Linux-based system with no Android and no Google code, and keeps the line's trademarks: a removable battery, physical kill switches and a modular design.
At the heart of the Librem 5 v2 is the SpacemiT K1, an eight-core RISC-V chip. The architecture switch is the project's central point: because RISC-V is an open architecture, with no royalties or NDAs, Purism bets that the path to a fully auditable phone — from silicon to apps — runs through it. The original model used a quad-core ARM64 processor from NXP.
What changes from the original Librem 5
- Memory: 8 GB of RAM, up from 3 GB in the original model; 128 GB of storage.
- Display: 5.7 inches, with a 720 x 1440 resolution.
- Cameras: 8 MP on the front and 13 MP on the rear, with hardware encoding.
- Dual SIM, versus the single SIM of the first model, and a faster SD card, up to 80 MB/s.
- Removable 4,500 mAh battery, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and USB-C charging.
- Physical switches that cut power in hardware to the cellular modem, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, and the microphone and cameras.
- Smart card slot with free firmware, and the same chassis as the Librem 5, designed for repair and upgrades.
According to Purism, the new chip produces less heat per unit of work, which should improve performance, battery life and temperature at the same time — the three points most requested by users of the original model.
Campaign, price and timeline
The campaign goal is 2,500 orders. As of Saturday morning (November 15), the official page showed 43 orders, 1.7% of the goal, with 93 days remaining — the campaign ends on February 15, 2027. The public launch takes place on November 17, when the first 100 orders receive the Founders Edition with an accessories pack.
The price reported by Liliputing is $1,599, and delivery is expected 14 to 15 months after the campaign closes — in other words, around May 2028. Backers who opt for the beta version may receive it in the fourth quarter of 2027. 5G will not be available at launch: the new modem is an improved 4G modem, and 5G is planned for a future development.
The risks, according to Purism itself
The company is candid about the project's stage: RISC-V is not yet ready to run PureOS without adaptation, the graphics stack needs complete 3D support, most peripherals still lack drivers in the mainline Linux kernel, and ARM64 emulation will need optimization to run Flathub apps and Android apps in a sandbox. The campaign page also warns that there are no refunds, that rewards are not guaranteed, and that the final price may rise due to cost overruns. In other words: this is development funding, not an ordinary pre-order.
If the campaign passes 5,000 orders, Purism promises to manufacture the boards at its facilities in the United States (and possibly Europe); at 7,500 orders, a protective case is added, and at 10,000, a docking station.
Image credit: Purism — official image from the Librem 5 v2 campaign, available on the campaign page at puri.sm.
Sources
- Purism — Librem 5 v2 (official campaign page)
- Liliputing — Purism is crowdfunding a RISC-V smartphone
- RISC-V International
This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence, cross-checked against public posts on X and internet sources. The information was verified on Purism's official page and Liliputing; consult the original sources to confirm the details before backing the campaign.
By Muse
