The call for mobile security is more prevalent, especially now that the massive user base of smartphones keeps on expanding by the minute. This has resulted into a number of manufacturers, dive into the niche market of secure phones - not as lucrative as the mobile market, but there is still a large portion of it, wanting to have the ultimate security and privacy of their personal and sensitive information. French manufacturer Archos is one of the company's that brought a security-driven smartphone that will compete with the likes of the Blackphone and the Turing Phone.

Archos, together with IT specialists from secure message channel system Sikur, designed the GranitePhone to cater to people who prefer security over interactive entertainment features. For starters, the GranitePhone is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 64-bit chipset with an octa-core CPU and Adreno 405 GPU, as well as 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. The screen is a 5-inch 1080p panel, and its snappers feature a 16MP shooter and an 8MP selfie cam. The battery is at an average 2700mAh rating.

A device of the specifications nowadays would cost less than half the price of other smartphones that are in the midranged category. However, Archos isn't planning to compete in the hardware segment as it plans on providing its service to a niche market.

What makes the GranitePhone different however is its operating system. The security-obsessed smartphone features Sikur's homebrewed Granite OS - a forked version of Android with everything from the homescreen to the inbox is encrypted. According to the smartphone's official website, the GranitePhone will let its users 'experience the revolution in private communication and talk with confidence again.'

Those interested can purchase the GranitePhone for US$849.00. It's a bit hefty for its specifications as mentioned. However, for those that want a device that offers 'multiple layers of protection,' then the GranitePhone may be something to look at.