Back to Newsroom

Unplugged Ships Next Wave of UP Phones

The Flagship Smartphone is Now Available with a Redesigned Experience and Powerful Software Upgrade

Unplugged Ships Next Wave of UP Phones

LAS VEGAS, September 25, 2025 — Unplugged today announced the availability of its next wave of UP Phones. With upgraded features designed to optimize privacy at every level, UP Phone offers customers an alternative to Big Tech phones with powerful protections that go far beyond any other smartphone. 

The all-new user experience includes fresh icons, smarter navigation, and a streamlined setup, making getting started effortless. Additionally, the uncensored, unbiased, and untracked App Center gives customers the freedom to access any app they want, without restrictions imposed by major app store ecosystems. UP Phone is available for $989 on Unplugged.com and BestBuy.com.

“As smartphones increasingly become tools of surveillance and control, we’re focused on delivering a device that combines an exceptional user experience with the privacy every customer deserves,” said Joe Weil, CEO of Unplugged. “We’re not only protecting customer data—we’re defending Americans’ constitutional rights to privacy and free speech, now under threat as Big Tech tightens its grip on what people see and think through the devices they depend on daily.” 

New Software Release Makes the UP Phone Experience Even Better 

New customers will receive their UP Phone with the latest software—version 2.0.93—and existing customers can easily update their software via the Firmware app. The new release has a selection of new features and enhancements that make UP Phone easier than ever to set up and use. 

Customers can access any app from the new App Center. 

 

  • The new App Center is uncensored, unbiased, and untracked. Customers now have the freedom to access any app they want anonymously, without restrictions imposed by major app store ecosystems.  
  • A new UP Photos app experience allows customers to search by categories, as well as by people and locations. Encrypted cloud storage makes it easy to move a photo library, favorites, and named faces over to the Unplugged platform. For customers who don’t want to use the cloud, UP Phone supports an SD card so customers can store photos and files locally up to 1TB. 

Redesigned Photos app features new search capabilities and encrypted cloud storage. 

 

  • Unplugged’s team of experts now offer individual customer sessions to set up their UP Phone, and enhancements to the Support app, UP Sync and the ability to customize the home screen at set up makes it easier than ever to get started. 
  • UP Phone now supports Google account login and gives customers access to apps including Google Maps and YouTube.

Unmatched Privacy Protection 
UnpluggedOS is purpose-built for privacy, functioning independently from Big Tech ecosystems to eliminate surveillance and data harvesting at the source. UP Phone leverages open-source Android without Google Mobile Services (GMS)—preventing backdoor data collection and restoring customer autonomy. 

At the core of UP Phone is a powerful on-device Firewall that blocks third-party tracking and data harvesting attempts—and exposes the apps behind them—so customers can see their privacy protections in action. 

A streamlined dashboard displays key stats and settings at a glance, allowing customers to adjust features, monitor Firewall and VPN status, check the phone’s last unlock time, and track screen time—all through intuitive controls designed for quick, effortless access. 

The Privacy Center app makes it simple to manage privacy settings in just a few taps. 

  • Firewall activity: Real-time visibility into how many third-party tracker attempts have been blocked, and the apps behind them. 
  • Time Away: Alerts customers to unauthorized access and time of last phone unlock.  
  • Streamlined controls: Customers can block intrusive ads and malware, restrict access to unwanted content such as adult and gambling websites, limit social media embeds and sharing, and disable the camera, microphone, USB data, outgoing NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and location services. 
  • Lost Mode: Erases all data after a user-defined period if the device is lost or stolen, and restarts the device in a protected mode, which is designed to enhance security against physical extraction tools. 
  • Emergency Reset: Data can be wiped from UP Phone using a designated unlock code. 
  • Scheduled Reboot: Customers can set automatic times to clear cached data and eliminate potential malware, and boost privacy, security, and performance.

Built-in, no-logs, VPN protection running in the background hides the IP address while traffic is being blocked. Customers can choose from dozens of routing geographies and three separate server protocols for greater privacy and control over their connection.  

Unlike other phones that are still active and exchanging data while powered off, UP Phone's Battery Disconnect Switch completely separates the battery from the circuits for secure power-off.  
  class="SCXW245488768 BCX0">Encrypted cloud storage makes it easy to move a photo library, favorites, and even named faces over to the Unplugged platform. For customers who don’t want to use the cloud, UP Phone supports an SD card so customers can store photos and files locally up to 1TB. 

Pricing and Availability 
All prices listed are in U.S. dollars. 

UP Phone, featuring an all-new experience and powerful software updates, is now available.

  • Privacy services are offered through a $12.99 monthly or $129.99 annual subscription covering VPN, antivirus, messenger features, and cloud photo storage. Every phone includes one year of full service at no additional charge, and the device remains fully functional regardless of subscription status. A basic tier is available without subscription fees.

  • Free FedEx 2Day® Shipping in the U.S. on orders of $50 or more. Estimated delivery within 2 business days. Delivery times to ZIP codes in Alaska and Hawaii may differ from delivery times in the contiguous U.S.

  • For shipments outside the U.S., charges will be reflected upon checkout. Customers are responsible for any import duties and taxes upon delivery.

  • UP Phone is fully compatible with mobile service on major carriers, AT&T and T-Mobile. It’s also compatible with mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) utilizing their infrastructures, such as Patriot Mobile, Pond Mobile, Mint Mobile, Cricket Wireless, PureTalk, and Really.
  • UP Phone accessories including premium cases by ITSKINS, screen protectors, fast chargers, and USB-C cables are available at www.unplugged.com, with prices ranging from $19.99-$34.99.
About Unplugged 
Unplugged is a privacy-first technology company empowering digital freedom in an era of rising surveillance and data harvesting. Its flagship product, UP Phone, blocks tracking, data extraction, and behavioral profiling at the system level. Featuring a groundbreaking firewall that provides real-time visibility into third-party activity behind the screen and a robust suite of powerful privacy protections, Unplugged gives users a real choice for true privacy. Learn more at unplugged.com.
 

Press Contact 
press@unplugged.com