[computerex]

> This is the only phone, where updates make it better, not worse.

I don't know how you can even begin to support this claim. My phone updates apply a bunch of security patches, which by definition make the phone better and more secure.

This is certainly the only "phone" that literally can't place phone calls. If this was a minor issue that could be addressed by a simple software patch in a timely manner, they would have all the reasons to do that and ship the phone after fixing such a glaring flaw.

[seba_dos1]

If that would be the only reason holding up the shipment, I'd definitely want to receive my early device (that I explicitely opted in for) before it's fixed.

[computerex]

You'd be an exception I think, especially given what the FAQ here states: https://puri.sm/posts/librem-5-batch-faq/

Q: If I receive the Librem 5 from one of the first batches, will I have a fully functional phone?

A: Yes! Even the very earliest batches will be capable smartphone, including a modern web browser and core cell phone functionality.

The expectation is that you'd receive a "fully functional phone". Until an update has been released with a fix to the not being able to place calls problem, this expectation is not met.

[seba_dos1]

Judging from all the opinions from actual owners I've seen so far, I definitely wouldn't be.

As I said in another thread, that point still stands. Birch will be a fully usable device. Shipping announcement explicitly stated that there will be only a basic, initial release of software that doesn't include everything and that it will improve in time.

[computerex]

> Judging from all the opinions from actual owners I've seen so far, I definitely wouldn't be.

What opinions?

> As I said in another thread, that point still stands.

No, the point doesn't stand. Once again, here's a link to purism FAQ: https://puri.sm/posts/librem-5-batch-faq/

It explicitly states this:

> Q: If I receive the Librem 5 from one of the first batches, will I have a fully functional phone?

> A: Yes! Even the very earliest batches will be capable smartphone, including a modern web browser and core cell phone functionality.

The FAQ says that the earliest batches will be capable smartphones and will have core cell phone functionality. Purism says that phones from "one of the first batches" will be capable smartphones will all core cell phone functionality.

There is no way you can try and do mental gymnastics to justify your apparent belief that purism delivered on this. There is a huge difference between a device requiring some polish and finishing touches and delivering a phone:

    1. That can't make phone calls
    2. Has no power management so the battery lasts less than an hour
    3. Doesn't have working cameras
    4. Can't be charged while powered on

The device, far from being a "capable smartphone" is wholly unusable in its current state.

Simply contradicting the facts and providing no additional context or reasoning does not an argument make.

[seba_dos1]

The FAQ says that the earliest batches will be capable smartphones and will have core cell phone functionality. Purism says that phones from "one of the first batches" will be capable smartphones will all core cell phone functionality.

Those sentences are true. There's nothing preventing that hardware to become a perfectly capable smartphone in near future.

>What opinions?

https://old.reddit.com/r/Purism/comments/e2mqgb/i_have_my_li... https://azdle.net/2019/11/comparing-apples-and-gnomes/ https://0net.io/1EwAh4KUfGgRw1re7uyrmTUWKZYV9SHVcW/

...plus bunch of comments made by phone owners in various places, like Reddit or Hacker News, or directly via mail. I haven't seen anyone expressing any kind of regret that they got their phones too soon.

[computerex]

> There's nothing preventing that hardware to become a perfectly capable smartphone in near future.

That's dishonest, misleading, and you know it. You are trying to do linguistic gymnastics to justify/hand wave away the fact that the "phone" is far from what is promised. The FAQ didn't say that the phones will be capable smartphones "in near future". The FAQ said that the phones will be shipped in that state.

https://old.reddit.com/r/Purism/comments/e2mqgb/i_have_my_li...

> Right now I am not releasing a video of calling working, because it exposes the number of the caller. The only other phone I have available is my fiancees, so frankly I am not posting that on Reddit.

> Update: you know what? I'm done. The fact that some of you think I'm a shill...that's why no one else with a phone now isn't here.

People are accusing this poster of being a shill, because he/she made it sound as if calling is working even though everyone knows that it's not. People are really destroying the phone in that thread, so I am not sure if that was the best example to post.

I am a little surprised you publicly shared these reviews, because if these are the good reviews, I can't imagine what the bad ones would be like. The cognitive dissonance of having spent hundreds of dollars on what effectively amounts to a brick is really palpable.

https://azdle.net/2019/11/comparing-apples-and-gnomes/

> Expectations

Review starts off with 3 paragraphs of expectation management and apologist statements softening the reader up for what follows.

> Power management is basically unimplemented.

> The battery dies quickly and (because the power goes straight to the CPU) takes a long time to charge.

> The other is that call audio isn't routed to the speaker

> The cameras don't seem to be enabled yet. Installing & opening up Cheese, I just get a message saying "No device found".

> The phone is chonky.

> The data connection seems to be rather slow. fast.com says I'm getting 130 Kbps

> I can't change the "network mode", every time I try I get an "Access Denied" message, so I'm not sure it's actually using 4G.

> It takes 10-12 seconds of holding the power button before it gives any indication that's it turning on.

> In the settings of the Librem 5, I can set multiple alarm clocks, and specify how to repeat and on which days of the week. So far so good, this is on par with most phones. Problem is, when the time comes, no sound emits from the device, and not even a reminder is visible on the screen.

https://0net.io/1EwAh4KUfGgRw1re7uyrmTUWKZYV9SHVcW/

> The first impression when unpacking was, that it is thick and heavy. In fact it is so thick that my kids make fun of me.

> The on-off button doesn't always work reliably

> When I can't get it to start with the on/off button, I usually open the device, and remove the battery for a moment.

> Unfortunately the phone froze during the initial setup when trying to connect to the office wifi

> The bluetooth configuration doesn't work at all.

> But that I didn't receive regular text messages is bothering me. A friend sent some to me for testing, and none arrived.

> Even before I wanted to place a call, I read in the forum that there is a problem with audio routing. I didn't even get that far. I cannot initiate a call, because below the dial buttons there is a message warning me that there is no voice-capable modem.

> For the first three days, after every reboot, the system date was reverted to February 2019.

> In the settings of the Librem 5, I can set multiple alarm clocks, and specify how to repeat and on which days of the week. So far so good, this is on par with most phones. Problem is, when the time comes, no sound emits from the device, and not even a reminder is visible on the screen.

> Whether the screen is on or off doesn't seem to make a difference. The device gets very, very hot. It is no surprise that the battery doesn't last very long. It doesn't even last an hour.

> But when it is turned on, I don't really know if it is slowly charging or slowly discharging. > When I plug in the phone to my notebook, the notebook often looses internet connectivity.

> As a test I installed my favorite desktop Bitcoin wallet: Electrum. Unfortunately it didn't start.

> I hate to say it, but at the current state, this phone is even less usable than both my previous linux phones in their initial condition.