After extensive testing, it’s finally here: the new SHIFTphone 8.1 with iodéOS is now available at NovaCustom! It’s a privacy-friendly phone that’s not only user-friendly and secure, but also sustainable and fully modular. This smartphone stands for privacy, security, freedom of choice, and repairability: values that perfectly align with NovaCustom’s mission.
At NovaCustom, we believe that users should have control over their own hardware and software. The SHIFTphone is perfect for this in terms of hardware: it has a modular design and is easy to repair. In terms of software, the original product is less than ideal: it comes with Google software as standard. NovaCustom replaces that software with iodéOS by default. This is an operating system without Google services (only microG, but it can also work without it!). This gives you a privacy-friendly phone with maximum control over your data.
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| NovaCustom launches the SHIFTphone 8.1 |
Whether you want to replace a screen, insert a new battery, or simply tinker with your smartphone yourself, the SHIFTphone makes it possible. No glue, no frustration, just pure freedom. NovaCustom has been supporting this principle for years with configurable laptops, and now we are bringing that same idea to smartphones.


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Oh wow, there’s no aux jack!?! Thanks for pointing that out. That kills this for me.
It would be cool if they (or any of the modular OEMs) could figure out a way to have an option to add one if someone wants it. Like have a blank that can be removed and have the part be like an “upgrade” board with the jack (and a good DAC since it would be an “upgrade” option).
That way they could keep cost for the base phone slightly lower for the majority of users that don’t care, and allow them (the OEM) to make smaller batches. Would also be great for pushing the idea of making long-term usefulness (could also apply to stuff like cameras since that is a big reason for getting whole new devices). I am very aware it is not some simple task, but a lot of these devices need to find ways to get solid fan-bases since the traditional major brands are so established. The things tried by the major brands have been just gimmicks. And didn’t allow users to get into the devices the way these smaller OEMs do.
Since the overall physical profiles of phones don’t really change much, the small OEMs could keep the frames the same between releases and make the replacement parts work between generations. Which would be great for general costs even if not going for the idea of the devices being “upgradable.”