Unplugged Unveils the First Smartphone Assembled in America, Outpacing Apple
Unplugged, a rising name in secure mobile technology, has set a new industry milestone by announcing that its privacy-first handset, the UP Phone, will be assembled in the United States—specifically in Nevada—beginning fall 2025. This strategic move comes amid mounting pressure from the White House for tech companies to localize production and strengthen domestic manufacturing capacity, a trend that even pushed Apple to pledge multi-billion dollar US investments in recent years.
Competitive Pricing and a Focus on US Assembly
The UP Phone promises to stay competitively priced below the critical $1,000 mark, even as production moves from Indonesia (where it currently retails for $989) to American soil with higher labor costs. CEO Joe Weil, a former Apple executive, expressed Unplugged’s commitment to affordability: “We’re ensuring that premium privacy and security features are accessible, despite the inherent expense of US manufacturing.” The company will start by assembling in America, with plans to gradually source more components domestically and enhance supply chain independence.
Enhanced Specs and Security Suite
Slated to ship in late September, the upcoming UP Phone maintains core hardware from the 2024 edition but introduces a revamped user interface, an upgraded firewall control system, and an improved camera app. Every device ships with a complimentary one-year privacy service package. This includes advanced tracking protection, built-in VPN, and encrypted photo storage, followed by a $12.99/month subscription to continue the suite.
Unique Privacy Features and System Innovations
The UP Phone is engineered for robust data protection: its firewall blocks over 225,000 known data-gathering servers, granting users unprecedented control over their digital footprint. Running UnpluggedOS, which is a Google-free, Android-based operating system, the phone supports the majority of mainstream Android apps. Users gain customizable control over permissions for the microphone, camera, and bluetooth, while the built-in Brave browser, leveraging AI-enhanced private search, achieves even higher standards of security and convenience.
Reimagining the Smartphone Supply Chain
In a market dominated by Asian manufacturing, Unplugged’s bold decision to assemble in the US unlocks new possibilities for privacy-focused consumers and may signal the beginning of a wider shift in global smartphone production. While Unplugged has remained tight-lipped about its manufacturing partners, industry analysts see this as a calculated effort to create a trustworthy American alternative—especially as privacy and data sovereignty gain prominence worldwide.
Conclusion: A New Era for Privacy Smartphones
With its competitive pricing, transparent privacy suite, and American assembly, the UP Phone positions Unplugged as a disruptor challenging Apple and traditional manufacturers. As tech giants face increasing scrutiny over supply chains and data protection, Unplugged’s move is primed to reshape expectations for security, innovation, and national tech investment.