Polestar phone will launch with Google Play support

The Polestar phone that was spotted in a short video in late November has now appeared in the Google Play list of supported devices. While other phone features are still unknown, at least we know the device will run on Android, and users will be able to download and install apps via Google Play.

The Volvo-owned EV maker turned to the Chinese OEM Meizu for its phone. So, the phone’s resemblance to Meizu devices should not come as a surprise. Images shown at the Polestar Day event in November confirmed the Polestar phone is made on the chassis of the Meizu 20 series.

Chinese giant car maker Geely is a major shareholder of Meizu and holds a significant portion of Volvo and Polestar. Geely has already announced that the Polestar phone will launch as an accessory for Polestar 4 drivers.

The Polestar phone gains access to the Google Play Store

All Meizu phones rely on Android for their operating system. But they also launch with Flyme OS, a customized Android firmware. Meanwhile, the Polestar phone appears to have its own Android firmware. This version is created based on Flyme OS and aims to give the device a unique look.

Based on the leaked images, the Polestar phone has a rear flat metal frame hosting three camera modules. A 23mm primary camera with an f/1.9 aperture, a 70mm telephoto (f/2.0), and a 15mm ultra-wide lens with an f/2.4 aperture are said to be the exact specifications of the camera setup.

The upcoming Polestar phone is a flagship device. But the Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath noted they don’t aim to compete with giants like Apple and Samsung. As for the hardware, the device is expected to launch with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 processor. The company previously stated the device is exclusive to the Chinese market. However, the Polestar 4’s launch in global markets gives us hope that the Polestar phone could also arrive in markets outside of China.

The EV market seems to be a new playground for smartphone manufacturers. Huawei launched its second EV a few months ago to rival the Tesla Model S. Samsung is also one of the biggest players in the EV battery segment. Meanwhile, Apple has pushed back its EV launch to 2028 due to technical reasons.