Note: This article includes research and personal impressions about an overseas smartphone. If you plan to use an imported smartphone in Japan, always check the latest official information regarding Japanese technical conformity certification, TELEC certification, domestic usability, and carrier compatibility.
Can You Use the Volla Phone Plinius in Japan? I Contacted Volla About This Google-Free Smartphone
As a gadget enthusiast, I often find myself browsing overseas smartphones. Every now and then, I come across a device that makes me think, “This one looks genuinely interesting.”
This time, the phone that caught my attention was the Volla Phone Plinius, a smartphone developed by Volla, a company based in Germany.
A smartphone that does not rely heavily on Google, support for Ubuntu Touch, a user-replaceable battery, water and dust resistance, and a clean design that does not look overly rugged.
For people who enjoy unique gadgets, this is the kind of phone that immediately stands out.
However, when it comes to using an overseas smartphone in Japan, there is one major point that cannot be ignored: Japanese technical conformity certification, commonly known as Giteki.
In this article, I will summarize the main features of the Volla Phone Plinius, explain why it looks appealing, and share why I decided to contact Volla directly regarding its usability in Japan.
What Is the Volla Phone Plinius?
The Volla Phone Plinius is a smartphone developed by Volla, a German company known for its privacy-focused mobile devices.
Unlike typical Android smartphones, the Plinius is designed around the idea of reducing dependence on Google services. It also offers support for Ubuntu Touch, a Linux-based mobile operating system.
This does not seem to be the kind of phone aimed at users who want the highest possible gaming performance or the most advanced computational photography features.
Instead, it appears to be a device for people who care about privacy, software freedom, repairability, and long-term use.
Main Features of the Volla Phone Plinius
Based on the information available from Volla, the main features of the Volla Phone Plinius include the following:
- Available with Volla OS, designed to reduce dependence on Google
- Support for Ubuntu Touch
- 6.67-inch FHD+ OLED display
- Up to 120Hz refresh rate
- MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor
- 5,300mAh battery
- User-replaceable battery
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- microSD card support up to 1TB
- nanoSIM + eSIM support
- Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC support
For me, the most interesting point is the combination of a user-replaceable battery and IP68 water and dust resistance.
Many modern smartphones are difficult to repair, and battery degradation is one of the biggest reasons people replace their phones after a few years.
The Volla Phone Plinius seems to take a different approach by offering a design that allows users to replace the battery themselves. For people who want to keep using a phone for a long time, this is a very appealing feature.
Volla Phone Plinius vs. Plinius Plus
The Volla Phone Plinius comes in two versions: the standard Plinius and the higher-end Plinius Plus.
| Item | Plinius | Plinius Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Memory | 8GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 256GB |
| Rear design | Glass-coated back | More durable back with Pogo Pin connector |
| Price | €598 | €698 |
| Planned shipping | April 2026 | June 2026 |
The basic performance appears to be similar between the two models, but the Plus version offers more memory, more storage, and a Pogo Pin connector, which may allow for future accessories.
For normal use, the standard model may be enough. However, from a gadget lover’s perspective, the Pogo Pin connector on the Plus model is definitely intriguing.
What Is Volla OS? The Appeal of a Google-Free Smartphone
One of the biggest features of the Volla Phone Plinius is the option to use Volla OS.
Volla OS is designed for people who want to avoid relying heavily on Google apps and Google Play Services.
When using a regular Android smartphone, it is very easy to depend on Google services such as Google Account, Google Play, Google Maps, Gmail, and YouTube.
These services are convenient, of course. But at the same time, there is also the question of how much personal information we are comfortable sharing with a large platform provider.
Volla OS seems to be aimed at people who want to step away from that level of Google dependence.
That said, this is also where caution is needed.
Apps that strongly depend on Google Play Services may not work properly. In Japan, this could be especially important for apps such as:
- Banking apps
- Cashless payment apps
- My Number-related apps
- Authentication apps
- Apps that rely heavily on location services
- Apps that use Google services for push notifications
In other words, Volla OS is very interesting, but it may not feel exactly the same as using a standard Android smartphone.
Ubuntu Touch Support: A Niche but Fascinating Option
Another feature that stands out is support for Ubuntu Touch.
Ubuntu Touch is a Linux-based mobile operating system.
Most smartphones today run either Android or iOS, but Ubuntu Touch offers a completely different approach.
To be honest, it is probably not for everyone.
If you want to use every Android app without issues, or if you prioritize everyday stability above everything else, Ubuntu Touch may not be the right choice.
However, for people who like Linux, open-source software, Google-free devices, or unusual smartphones, Ubuntu Touch has a certain appeal.
It is less about buying a phone that “just works” and more about wanting to experiment, explore, and see how practical an alternative mobile OS can be.
The Biggest Concern in Japan: Technical Conformity Certification
When considering the Volla Phone Plinius for use in Japan, the biggest practical concern is Japanese technical conformity certification, often referred to as Giteki.
When looking at overseas smartphones, it is easy to focus on specifications, price, and supported frequency bands.
However, in Japan, wireless devices generally need to comply with Japanese technical standards in order to be used legally.
A smartphone does not only use mobile networks. It also includes wireless functions such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC.
Because of that, it is not safe to assume that “it should be fine as long as I do not insert a SIM card.”
If you want to use an imported smartphone in Japan on a daily basis, checking whether it has the proper Japanese certification is essential.
Supported Bands Alone Are Not Enough
According to the specifications, the Volla Phone Plinius supports multiple 4G LTE and 5G bands.
Some of these bands may overlap with those used by major Japanese carriers, so it may look usable at first glance.
However, domestic usability cannot be judged by supported bands alone.
- Japanese technical conformity certification
- VoLTE compatibility
- APN settings
- eSIM support
- Carrier-side restrictions
- Network stability
- Emergency call functionality
All of these factors can affect whether a phone actually works properly in Japan.
So even if the frequency bands appear to match, it is not enough to say that the phone can be used in Japan without any issues.
Technical conformity certification is especially important because it relates to Japanese law and regulations.
I Contacted Volla Directly
Because of these concerns, I decided to contact Volla through its official website.
The main questions I asked were:
- Does the Volla Phone Plinius have Japanese technical conformity or TELEC certification?
- Are there any plans or official information regarding sales in Japan?
- Can Volla provide press materials for introducing the device to Japanese readers?
- Is it possible to borrow or receive a review unit or press sample?
At the time of writing, I am still waiting for a reply from Volla.
If I receive a response, I plan to write a follow-up article based on the information provided.
What I Want to Confirm If Volla Replies
If Volla replies, the main points I want to confirm are:
- Whether the phone has Japanese Giteki or TELEC certification
- Whether Volla has an official position on using the phone in Japan
- Whether there are any plans to sell the phone in Japan
- Whether the phone has been tested with Japanese mobile carriers
- How well major Japanese apps work on Volla OS
- How practical the Ubuntu Touch version is
- Whether customers in Japan can purchase, repair, or receive warranty support
The most important point is still certification.
No matter how attractive the phone may be, it is difficult to recommend it as a main device in Japan if it cannot be used with confidence.
On the other hand, if certification and Japan-related information can be confirmed, the Volla Phone Plinius could become a very interesting option for certain users.
What I Would Like to Test With a Review Unit
If I have the opportunity to test a review unit, I would like to check the following points:
- How easy Volla OS is to use
- How far a Google-free smartphone can go in everyday life
- Japanese language input and display quality
- Whether major apps such as LINE work properly
- Whether banking and payment apps work
- Camera performance
- Battery life
- Build quality and weight
- Practicality of Ubuntu Touch
- Important cautions for using the phone in Japan
The theme I am most interested in is this: How practical is a Google-free smartphone for daily life in Japan?
Do we choose convenience, or do we choose privacy and freedom?
This is something that is difficult to judge without actually using the device.
My Current Impression
Looking only at the specifications, the Volla Phone Plinius may not be the most powerful smartphone in its price range.
But I do not think raw performance is the main appeal of this phone.
The real appeal seems to be in areas such as:
- The concept of a smartphone that does not depend heavily on Google
- The freedom to choose Ubuntu Touch
- A replaceable battery designed for long-term use
- The combination of repairability and IP68 protection
- A unique gadget-like character that ordinary smartphones do not have
In that sense, the Volla Phone Plinius is not simply a “best value smartphone.”
It feels more like a smartphone chosen for its philosophy.
It is probably not for everyone.
But I am sure there are people who will find this kind of phone extremely appealing.
Who Might Like the Volla Phone Plinius?
Based on my current impression, the Volla Phone Plinius may be a good fit for people who:
- Are interested in Google-free smartphones
- Care about privacy-focused devices
- Want to try Ubuntu Touch
- Like Linux and open-source software
- Enjoy unusual or niche gadgets
- Prefer smartphones with replaceable batteries
On the other hand, it may require careful consideration for people who:
- Want to use only one smartphone as their main device
- Need apps like LINE, PayPay, or banking apps to work reliably
- Want a phone that works smoothly without troubleshooting
- Need Japanese-language support
- Prioritize stable operation with Japanese carriers
Especially in Japan, certification, network compatibility, and app compatibility must be checked carefully.
What Comes Next?
I have now contacted Volla through its official website.
To be honest, I do not know whether I will receive a response.
However, if Volla does reply, the information could be valuable for Japanese readers who are interested in overseas smartphones.
If they provide a clear answer regarding technical conformity certification, it may be especially useful for people who are considering importing the device.
If a review unit becomes available, I would like to test the device in detail and share my findings.
Even if there is no reply, this article may still be useful as a record of what to check when considering a niche overseas smartphone from Japan.
Conclusion: The Volla Phone Plinius Is Fascinating, but Japan Use Requires Caution
The Volla Phone Plinius is a very interesting smartphone.
Volla OS, Ubuntu Touch support, a replaceable battery, IP68 water and dust resistance, and a privacy-focused philosophy make it stand apart from ordinary smartphones.
At the same time, using it in Japan raises several important questions, including technical conformity certification, network compatibility, and app compatibility.
In particular, anyone considering an imported smartphone should always check Japanese certification before purchasing or using the device domestically.
I have contacted Volla directly, and if I receive a response, I plan to write a follow-up article.
Overseas smartphones have a lot of charm.
But if you want to use one safely and confidently in Japan, romance alone is not enough. Careful confirmation is just as important.
