Israeli Company Sells $16K Phone With Only $150 Worth Of Parts

“Sirin Labs” is an Israeli company that the world at large has never really heard of until they announced that they are selling a smartphone called “Solarin” that’s worth £9,500. According to The Verge, when that amount is converted to U.S. dollars and with taxes added it, the total cost runs up to $16,666. The justification for such an exorbitant amount lies in the supposed encryption capabilities of the device which will lock down on any potential security risk, thus allowing users to make calls and texts in absolute assurance of privacy.

Using 256-bit AES encryption supported by Zimperium and Koolspan security firms, the phone allows users to switch from normal smartphone functions to a more technical looking interface at a flick of the switch. Once this is done, the phone will only contact those who have the corresponding security app that must be installed on the device that it is connected to.

However, BGR notes that the components of the device itself could not be worth more than $150 to $200 put together. The phone features a Snapdragon 810 processor, a 23.8MP camera, a 5.5 inch screen, 4GB of RAM, and 120GB of memory.

For its exterior, the “Solarin” features a black technical leather cover that closely imitates carbon fiber. This gives the phone a solid, professionally luxurious appearance that many businesses people prefer. When the phone was unveiled, the phrase "our customers are very, very smart people" was mentioned, which does not lend much confidence to anyone who hears it. It sounds more like a line from a bragging trust fund heir than a phone maker trying to sell their product.

An article by Engadget also asks if something like the “Solarin” is even worth it for the price it demands, particularly since the phone in question is less convenient than the “Samsung Galaxy S7” or the “iPhone 6S.”