Silent Circle and Geeksphone introduced the first encrypted smartphone at Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona, Spain.
The Blackphone runs on a customised version of the Android operating system called PrivatOS, which is integrated with application tools that provide security and privacy.
The new mobile is powered by a 2GHz quad-core processor and comes with a 4.7inch HD IPS screen, LTE, HSPA+, 2GB DDR3 RAM, 16GB of storage as well as an 8MP rear camera with flash and 1.3MP front camera.
SGP Technologies managing director Toby Weir-Jones said: "Blackphone offers unprecedented value in a turnkey secure communications platform, and it’s easy enough to use that anyone who’s used a smartphone before will feel right at home as soon as they turn it on.
The phone, which is expected to be available by late 2014, supports Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11n WiFi and GPS connectivity and a suite of apps from Silen Circle.
The Silent Circle apps include Silent Phone, Silent Text, and Silent Contacts; anonymous search, private browsing, and VPN from Disconnect; and secure cloud file storage from SpiderOak.
Other features include the Smart WiFi Manager from SGP Technologies Chief Architect Mike Kershaw, a remote-wipe and device recovery tool.
The device is available for pre-order with a starting price of $629 and will also be available through selected partner carriers including KPN Mobile in European regions such as Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
