The Blackphone 2 smartphone is now available in the US

One of the notable security features of the Silent OS is the built-in security center, wherein users can easily manage privacy options for the phones and for each app that is installed. One of the reasons believed to be behind Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) stellar success is that its iPhones are less vulnerable to security threats compared to Google Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android operating system.

The new iteration, called the Blackphone 2, just launched for $799 (about £530, or AU$1,140) and brings in a few noteworthy improvements to its predecessor.

Then there’s also the fact that Google has included a number of these features as part of its Android for Work scheme, available on Lollipop and Marshmallow. One partition could be for business and the other for a user’s personal use. Users have been increasingly concerned about apps concealing unnecessary access permissions within T&C updates. The phone has an advanced Wi-Fi service, which helps keep users away from risky, unsecure Wi-Fi networks. For example, if you have apps that do not carry sensitive information, you can lower security levels for access to information across other apps in the same profile space.

With the Silent OS running on the Blackphone 2, users can make and receive secure calls, send encrypted text messages, store files securely and browse via an anonymous VPN.

Blackphone 2 also offers the ability to segregate your applications, separating your work life and your personal life.

Silent Circle also includes a Silent App store which it says will be populated with apps carefully vetted by the South Carolina team via a semi-automated process.

Privacy protection is further increased by shipping the phone with the Silent OS, based on Google’s Android operating system, but which will purportedly contain no bloatware or backdoors for curious network providers.

The Blackphone 2 is a phone that matches the specs of any high-end phone in the market.

Switzerland-based smartphone manufacturer Silent Circle has released its second generation Blackphone handset, which promises to be the world’s most secure and private device. Users don’t, by the way, have to buy a Blackphone 2 to take advantage of Silent Phone; the app is also available for Android and iOS. The new handset is now powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 SoC with a 1.7 GHz octa-core processor, and the chipset is partnered with 3 GB of RAM.

On camera front, there is a 13-MP autofocus rear camera supported by BSI sensor and dual LED flash. The Blackphone 2 has just gone on in sale in the U.S., with plans to release it in the United Kingdom shortly as well.