The world outdoors Android and iOS is thrilling

I really like different working methods, giving us a take a look at what’s potential outdoors the Android and iOS duopoly. And probably the most attention-grabbing telephones of the yr is the 2026 Jolla Telephone, which runs Sailfish OS.

Jolla was additionally at MWC 2026 in Barcelona, and we visited the corporate’s sales space to get our fingers on the brand new Jolla Telephone. So is it greater than an alternative choice to Android and iOS? Right here’s what I found after spending a brief period of time with this €649 (~$755) system.

After I first noticed photographs of the Jolla Telephone 2026, I used to be instantly taken by the orange again. And it’s a pleasantly vibrant shade in particular person, too. I’m additionally glad to report that this rear plastic cowl is detachable, though it does really feel just a little low-cost. Fortunately, Jolla says individuals can even create their very own covers in the event that they’d like. Better of all, you possibly can swap out the battery by eradicating a single screw. You like to see it.

Flip the cellphone round, and also you’ll see a 6.36-inch FHD+ OLED display. This panel was greater than shiny sufficient below the tough lights of the present flooring.  It’s additionally value noting that there’s a big show notch (see under), which hosts the selfie digital camera and a notification LED. I’m prepared to miss this large cutout, however I’d a lot fairly see a standard bezel like on Sony Xperia telephones.

As for really holding the system, the curved sides do assist make the cellphone really feel extra ergonomic. It definitely makes for a refreshing change from the ocean of flat-framed iPhone clones. These sharp corners additionally evoke early Nokia Lumia gadgets and the Nokia N9. I’m unsure whether or not these corners would possibly make the cellphone uncomfortable to make use of over prolonged durations of time, however it might probably’t be worse than the Galaxy S23 Extremely’s sharp corners.

The 2026 Jolla Telephone additionally has a privateness change on the left-hand facet, permitting you to disable a ton of settings with a fast flick (e.g., microphone, digital camera, location, Wi-Fi). Nonetheless, it’s also possible to customise this change so it solely turns off sure settings.

Different notable {hardware} options embody a budget-tier MediaTek Dimensity 7100 chipset, 8GB or 12GB of RAM, 256GB of inside storage, a microSD card slot, a facet fingerprint scanner, and a 5,450mAh battery. It even has a notification LED when you miss this traditional function. When it comes to the digital camera expertise, you’re getting a 50MP major shooter and a 13MP ultrawide snapper.

Sailfish OS powers the 2026 Jolla Telephone, and it’s a non secular successor to Nokia’s ill-fated MeeGo platform. I used to be a giant fan of this platform once I reviewed the Nokia N9 again in 2011. However years of utilizing Android signifies that Sailfish OS takes some getting used to. For instance, swiping upwards in an app closes it on Android, whereas swiping inwards from the display edge goes again. Nonetheless, swiping up in an app on Sailfish OS opens the app drawer, whereas the “again” swipe really exits the app. I can’t say whether or not that is definitively higher or worse than Android’s gestures given the brief time I had with the system, nevertheless it’s definitely totally different.

Sailfish OS additionally devotes one dwelling display to multitasking apps (see the primary picture above), very like MeeGo and BlackBerry 10. You’ll discover little app home windows on this display, displaying all working apps and letting you shortly change between them. I’ve all the time favored the concept of a devoted multitasking dwelling display in concept, however I really feel like app switching is a extra seamless affair on Android.

The platform additionally gained Android app help years in the past by way of the Android AppSupport layer, and the 2026 Jolla Telephone nonetheless retains this functionality. In reality, you possibly can even set up the open-source microG framework as an alternative choice to Google Play Companies if you really want to run sure Android apps. Jolla additionally permits you to use the Aurora Retailer when you want entry to Play Retailer apps. I’m completely satisfied to see Jolla has maintained this function, because it means builders aren’t compelled to construct native apps for the platform.

For what it’s value, Jolla says the brand new cellphone is working Sailfish OS 5.2. The corporate hasn’t launched a changelog simply but, however the earlier Sailfish OS 5 launch upgraded AppSupport to Android 13, up to date the default browser’s engine, launched higher panorama orientation help, and added name blocking help. You received’t discover on-device generative AI options right here, however that is likely to be a promoting level for some individuals.

I’m actually glad to see the 2026 Jolla Telephone, as alternate options to Android and iOS are few and much between. I haven’t spent sufficient time with Sailfish OS to offer it a definitive verdict simply but, however I’m completely satisfied that the platform is getting some love and a brand new cellphone in 2026.

As for the cellphone itself, it doesn’t have essentially the most highly effective processor, a triple rear digital camera setup, an IP68 score, or wi-fi charging. I’d anticipate no less than a few of these options on a €649 Android cellphone, however I’ve undoubtedly seen a number of Linux-based telephones with much less bang in your buck. Jolla has additionally nailed the basics right here, whereas the addition of fanatic extras (microSD slot, detachable battery, notification LED) helps make this a extra tantalizing package deal.

Maybe the largest draw back to the 2026 Jolla Telephone is availability. The corporate has already bought the primary batch of telephones, and it’s at present promoting the second batch. Nonetheless, the cellphone is simply delivery to Europe in the intervening time. So I hope the corporate expands to different markets (e.g., North America, MEA, Asia-Pacific) within the coming months.