20 karma · joined May 24, 2024
I’ve been using a Murena/Fairphone running /e/OS as my primary phone for a while now, and honestly the experience has been much smoother than I expected. My banking apps work, GPS/navigation works reliably, messaging and everyday apps behave normally — I’m not constantly fighting the device or giving things up. After the initial setup, it just feels like a normal smartphone, except noticeably quieter in terms of tracking and background noise.
What surprised me most is that this isn’t a “privacy experiment” anymore. It’s a usable, stable daily driver. I still get the convenience people worry about losing, but with far fewer ties to Google services by default.
I think a lot of people hesitate because they assume moving away from stock Android means breaking essential apps or living with constant friction. That hasn’t been my experience at all. If you’re curious but unsure, it’s genuinely worth trying — the barrier is much lower than it used to be, and you might find you don’t miss as much as you expect.
Murena has some ambitious goals, like hyperscaling active users and selling nearly 20K phones by next year. They’ve also partnered with sustainable phone manufacturers like Fairphone and Teracube, which aligns well with their ethos.
They’re already in overfunding territory, having raised €534K+ against a €400K target, so there’s clearly some momentum here. Given the growing concerns around data privacy and the monopolistic tendencies of Big Tech, Murena’s approach feels timely and necessary.
Just thought I’d share since privacy-respecting tech alternatives don’t come around every day.
First off, the user interface is clean and intuitive. It feels just as polished as any mainstream OS, if not more so. The pre-installed apps cover all the essentials, and they respect your privacy by design, which is a massive plus. The App Lounge is surprisingly robust, offering a good selection of apps, including many popular ones that people often worry about missing out on when they switch from Android or iOS.
Performance-wise, /e/OS runs smoothly on my phone, with no noticeable lag or crashes. Battery life is also excellent, which is something I didn't expect but greatly appreciate. The system updates are regular and ensure that the OS stays secure and up-to-date with the latest features.
One of the standout features is the integration of the cloud services. The Murena cloud offers a privacy-focused alternative to Google, and it works seamlessly with the OS. It's reassuring to know that my data is stored securely and not being mined for ad targeting.
Overall, Murena /e/OS is a game-changer for anyone who values their privacy but still wants a fully functional and user-friendly smartphone experience. Kudos to the team for creating such an impressive product! Highly recommended.