# Purism crowdfunding Librem 5 v2 RISC-V Linux smartphone for May 2028

> **Key takeaway:** Purism's Librem 5 v2 switches to a SpacemiT K1 RISC-V processor with 8GB RAM, targeting open-hardware enthusiasts at $1599 despite incomplete software support.

**Published:** 2026-11-14T22:42:54+00:00 
**Source:** Liliputing 
**Category:** open-hardware 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/purism-crowdfunding-librem-5-v2-risc-v-linux-smartphone-for-.html 

## Summary
Purism has launched a crowdfunding campaign for the Librem 5 v2, its second-generation Linux smartphone built around a SpacemiT K1 RISC-V processor rather than the original's NXP i.MX8M Quad ARM SoC. The device features a 5.7-inch display, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, hardware kill switches for WiFi and camera, dual SIM support, an improved camera, a faster SD card reader, and a modular design. The campaign asks $1599 per unit with an estimated shipping date of May 2028, and the source explicitly notes that hardware support remains incomplete.

The RISC-V architecture shift represents a significant bet on open instruction sets, with the potential to reduce or eliminate proprietary firmware blobs that persist even in many ARM-based Linux devices. However, the extended timeline, premium pricing, and unfinished software stack position this as a device for developers and privacy-focused early adopters rather than mainstream consumers seeking an immediate replacement for iOS or Android handsets.

## Hardware and open-source architecture changes in Librem 5 v2
- **Processor transition:** The SpacemiT K1 RISC-V SoC replaces the NXP i.MX8M Quad ARM chip used in the original Librem 5, marking Purism's first RISC-V smartphone and a significant departure from the established ARM mobile ecosystem.
- **Memory and storage:** RAM doubles from the original's 4GB to 8GB, while internal storage remains at 128GB; the SD card reader receives a speed upgrade for faster external storage access.
- **Physical security controls:** Hardware kill switches for WiFi and camera are retained from the original design, allowing electrical disconnection of these subsystems without software intervention.
- **Modular construction:** The phone maintains a modular design philosophy, potentially enabling component replacement and repairability that contrasts with sealed contemporary smartphones.
- **Software readiness gap:** The source explicitly states that hardware is "still not fully supported by software," indicating substantial upstream kernel, driver, and userspace work remains before the May 2028 target.

## Why it matters
The Librem 5 v2 advances RISC-V into the mobile Linux space where no commercially available alternatives exist, potentially accelerating upstream support for SpacemiT silicon in mainline Linux and mobile distributions like PureOS and Phosh. For the open-hardware community, a RISC-V smartphone with fewer proprietary blobs would validate years of advocacy for fully auditable mobile computing, though the $1599 price and 2028 timeline limit near-term impact to developers and funders who can advance the software stack.