While browsing through the privacy community, I read about the BraX3. A new privacy centric phone developed by YouTube content creator Robert Braxman.
Before I support their IndyGoGo, I’d like to get your opinions about the company and their last phone, the BraX2, which apparently didn’t get the most glowing reviews.
I am waiting for my Brax3 phone. I am thinking about requesting a refund. I have heard that a Pixel phone with Graphene is a much better choice.
One of the reasons I was excited for the Brax3 was the headphone jack. Pixels don’t have them anymore
Look at FairPhone. I got a Pixel 8a recently and flashed Graphene and I think this is the best tradeoff but I understand wanting jack etc, as I would have liked too.
In hind site for me, turns out Blutooth is great as it works well with my OTC hearing aids and my Bluetooth headphones too. I liked the hearing aide support as it gives me proper calibrated sound where generic stuff will not.
Email from April 11:
BraX3 April Project Update
Hi everyone,
We’re back with an important update covering three key areas: how we’re adapting to the newly imposed U.S. tariffs, how that change can impact backers, and a short update on our beta program.
Let’s dive in. For U.S. Customers: Navigating the Tariff Challenge Together
We’ve always aimed to do things differently—with more transparency, fairness, and user-first thinking. This moment is no exception.
From the start, we made a conscious decision to ship BraX3 domestically within the U.S.—not from China like most crowdfunded projects. This was meant to save you money and avoid the hassle of customs clearance.
But the recent escalation in trade tensions has changed the landscape. The U.S. has now imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese electronics, making it financially impossible for us to import BraX3 as originally planned without significant losses.
Most companies either freeze deliveries or push 100% of the added cost onto customers. We won’t do that.
Instead, we’ve made a bold move: we’re shifting final assembly to the European Union. This change allows us to:
Of course, this change adds cost—logistics, disassembly, reassembly, and EU compliance. We’re absorbing the majority of it, but we are asking U.S. customers for a $30 contribution to help close the gap.
Here’s what to expect:
We know this isn’t ideal, and we wouldn’t ask unless it was truly necessary. But we believe this approach keeps us aligned with the values that brought us all together.
A Note on Delivery Timeline Impact
With the shift to EU-based assembly, we’re also adjusting our estimated delivery timeline.
The logistics of transferring partially assembled units, reassembling them in the EU, and completing the necessary production steps will require an additional 20 days. This pushes our U.S. shipping window to approximately mid-end May 2025.
Additionally, to ensure the product’s EU origin is recognized for customs compliance, there’s a regulatory process we must follow. While we’re working hard to keep this smooth and timely, there’s still a chance it could introduce a few more days of delay—though we’re doing everything possible to avoid that.
We know this isn’t what anyone hoped for, but we also believe this approach gives us greater control, higher quality assurance, and the best path forward under the current global circumstances.
For Non-U.S. Customers: Optional Upgrade to EU Assembly
For our backers outside the U.S., your BraX3 is still set to ship with the original China-based assembly.
However, this shift has also opened up a new opportunity: we’re now offering an optional upgrade to the EU-assembled version of BraX3—bringing the same improvements we’re implementing for U.S. deliveries.
Why consider the upgrade?
In the coming weeks, all customers, regardless of location, will receive an email with a link to a dedicated order management portal. Through this portal, you’ll be able to:
We believe the EU-assembled version adds real value—but if you’re happy with the original assembly plan, no action is needed. Your order will proceed as originally planned.
Beta Devices Are Out & Feedback is Rolling In
We’re also happy to report that the BraX3 beta devices have been shipped and received by most of the selected testers.
Feedback is already flowing in, and we’re addressing bugs with quick turnaround. It’s encouraging to see iodeOS progressing right on schedule, and we’re confident in our momentum toward a stable production release.
In Closing
We’re doing our best to handle real-world challenges with integrity, creativity, and community in mind. Whether you’re a U.S. customer facing a new decision, or a global backer looking to benefit from these improvements—we’re here to make sure the result is still something we can all be proud of.
Thank you for your continued support, trust, and patience.
Plamen
p.s. We recommend listening to the latest live stream on Rob’s channel, where he addresses the challenges and shares our thought process in greater detail.