swappable batteries – Volla’s rugged Plinius models challenge smartphone norms with no Google services and user-replaceable batteries.
A smartphone that lets you swap the battery yourself is still rare, and Volla’s new Plinius phones are built to make that practical again.
Misryoum reports that the German maker has introduced two mid-range models. the Volla Phone Plinius and Plinius Plus. both aimed at users who want more control over what’s inside their phone.. The devices run without Google services from the start and are designed around a rugged, long-life approach rather than thinness.
Both models share the same core layout: a flat frame. slim bezels. and a 6.67-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.. They’re also rated for wet-hand and glove-friendly use. plus IP68 water and dust resistance. which positions them as everyday tools for people who don’t treat phones as delicate devices.
One of the biggest signals here is the battery design: Volla is leaning into a physical upgrade path, keeping the phone serviceable rather than sealed. That matters because battery degradation is one of the most common reasons phones get replaced, not broken screens.
The Plinius series remains “replaceable” in the literal sense.. The hand-friendly swap is enabled by a thicker build, with the base model coming in at 10.5mm and weighing 230 grams.. With a standard screwdriver. users can remove the battery themselves. while still getting a bundled screen protector and a replaceable back cover in the box.
Under the hood, the phones use a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip and offer a 64MP main camera paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens, plus a 32MP front camera. Volla also includes on-device AI features for photo optimization, with the processing happening locally.
Where the software story gets more interesting for power users is the choice of operating systems.. The devices ship with Volla OS. an open-source Android-based system without Google services. and an Ubuntu Touch option is available as well. with Linux-style flexibility for those who want to step away from mainstream app ecosystems.
At the same time, Misryoum notes that this kind of “de-Google” direction is typically about control, not just novelty. Having OS options and serviceable hardware can reduce the sense that a phone is a disposable product after a few years.
Pricing and availability also separate the two models.. The Volla Phone Plinius (8GB RAM. 128GB storage) is listed at €598 and is available now. while the Plinius Plus (12GB RAM. 256GB storage) costs €698 and adds a reinforced back with pogo pins for potential modular add-ons. arriving in June 2026.. If you’re deciding between them. the Plus version’s extra storage and memory cost only €100 more. making it the safer bet for those planning to keep the device longer.