The Solarin Android phone from Sirin Labs costs just $22,000

HOW much money would pay for the privilege of knowing the data on your smartphone is secure?
A start-up known as Sirin Labs is guessing around $A22,000.

At least, this is the price tag it has placed on its privacy-first device, which is “aimed at the international businessperson who carries a lot of sensitive information but doesn’t want to compromise on usability, quality or design”.

Currently the smartphone is only available for purchase from Sirin Labs own flagship store in London’s ritzy Mayfair district and will also be available at high-end department store Harrods by the end of the month, which indicates the customers the company is chasing.

So what exactly do you get for your $A22,000?

Unfortunately, the phone doesn’t come dressed with diamonds or gold; rather it’s quite the opposite and has been designed to look inconspicuous.

What sets the phone apart from the competition is the security features including anti-cyberattack software from mobile protection company Zimperium; and chip-to-chip 256-bit AES encryption from security company KoolSpan.

“[It’s] the same technology that militaries around the world use to protect their communications,” the company said.

The device even comes standard with an “ultrasafe” mode, which is operated by a switch on the back of the phone.

Activating this mode, will limit various hardware features, only allowing for outgoing voice calls and securely encrypted messaging.

The smartphone runs on a heavily skinned Android 5.1 operating system, has 4GB of RAM, 128GB of non-expandable storage and a very bright 5.5 inch LED 2k resolution screen.

Additionly, it boasts a 23.8-megapixel rear facing camera including laser autofocus and industry-leading four-tone flash, meaning the flash will assess the colour temps of the scene and adjust the intensity of white light vs. amber light.

Sure it has some good features, but is it really worth $22,000 of your hard earned?

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