{{Short description|British smartphone manufacturer}} {{Use British English|date=October 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox company | name = Wileyfox | logo = Wileyfox Logo.png | logo_size = 200px | image = Wileyfox Swift-93669.jpg | image_caption = Wileyfox Swift | type = Private | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = Nick Muir, Victoria McManus and Naeem Walji<br /> | industry = Telecommunications equipment | products = Smartphones | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | assets = | equity = | num_employees = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|wileyfox.com/}} | coordinates = | foundation = {{start date|2015}} | location = London, United Kingdom }}
'''Wileyfox''' was a British smartphone manufacturer founded in 2015. It went into administration on 6 February 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.techradar.com/news/pour-one-out-for-wileyfox-the-fledgling-uk-smartphone-marker-is-no-more |title=Pour one out for Wileyfox: the fledgling UK smartphone maker is no more |last=McCann |first=John |publisher=TechRadar |date=2018-02-08 |accessdate=2018-02-13}}</ref> On 19 March 2018 it was announced that Santok Group had agreed a licensing deal covering sales of handsets in Europe and South Africa.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/wileyfox-is-back-new-handsets-arriving-this-year-and-more-good-news-for-owners |title=Wileyfox is back: new handsets arriving this year and more good news for owners |last=McCann |first=John |publisher=TechRadar |date=2018-03-19 |accessdate=2018-03-20}}</ref>
The firm aimed to provide products that were more affordable than their competitors, whilst not compromising on quality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2015/08/25/wileyfox-launches-its-first-cyanogen-os-smartphones-the-5-swift-and-5-5-storm/feed/ |title=Wileyfox launches its first Cyanogen OS smartphones, the 5" Swift and 5.5" Storm |author=Woods, B |publisher=The Next Web, Inc. |date=25 August 2015 |accessdate=20 October 2015}}</ref> The company claimed that by having a smaller workforce and no legacy devices to support, they would be able to sell their devices for lower prices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Jamie |title=Wileyfox's administration shows risk of undercutting |url=https://www.telecoms.com/mobile-devices/wileyfox-s-administration-shows-risk-of-undercutting |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Telecoms.com |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250831224709/https://www.telecoms.com/mobile-devices/wileyfox-s-administration-shows-risk-of-undercutting |archive-date=2025-08-31 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref> Wileyfox stated that the commoditisation of hardware would enable them to differentiate their products from competitors using other Android distros, or iOS.{{Cn|date=September 2025}}
== History == The company was founded in 2015 by Nick Muir, who served as CEO, Victoria Denman and Naeem Walji.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garwood |first=Michael |date=June 28, 2016 |title=Wileyfox Sparks new life into smartphone market with "killer priced" range |url=https://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/Manufacturers/article/wileyfox-launch-killer-priced-spark-smartphone-range |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pham |first=Manny |date=February 28, 2018 |title=Wileyfox warned it must adapt to survive in declining market |url=https://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/Features/article/wileyfox-warned-adapt-survive-declining-market |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk}}</ref> At launch, the company was owned by the Meridian Group, which was the parent company of handset makers Kazam and Russia-based Fly Mobile.<ref name=":1" /> Meridian Group chairman Nooreddin Valimahomed was also given a founder credit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valimahomed |first=Nooreddin |date=2025-07-08 |title=Many Brands, One Strategy: How Nooreddin Valimahomed Built a Mobile Empire Across Markets |url=https://medium.com/@noor.valimahomed/many-brands-one-strategy-how-nooreddin-valimahomed-built-a-mobile-empire-across-markets-804aea0a2679 |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref> The company launched with a single product, the Wileyfox Swift.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sawers |first=Paul |date=2015-09-24 |title=Wileyfox is Europe's newest mobile brand — here's how its first smartphone stacks up |url=https://venturebeat.com/business/wileyfox-is-europes-newest-mobile-brand-heres-how-its-first-smartphone-stacks-up/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2017, founders Muir and Denman left Wileyfox, where they had served as CEO and CMO, respectively, to found a startup accelerator called Growth Hackers Global. In 2018, the company entered administration in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunden |first=Ingrid |date=2018-02-07 |title=Android smartphone maker Wileyfox confirms it has entered into administration in the UK |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/07/android-smartphone-maker-wileyfox-confirms-it-has-entered-into-administration-in-the-uk/ |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Products== This article states the actual device specifications, which may differ from specification sheets provided by Wileyfox.
=== 1st generation: Swift, Storm === These devices were announced in August 2015, originally running Cyanogen OS 12.1, with sales and shipments starting later that year. Both devices have dual SIM capability.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wileyfox.com/faq/ |title=FAQs |author=Wileyfox |publisher=Wileyfox |accessdate=20 October 2015 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305054620/https://www.wileyfox.com/faq/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Valimahomed |first=Nooreddin |date=2025-07-04 |title=Not Your Average Android: How Wileyfox Rewrote the Rules of Budget Smartphones |url=https://medium.com/@noor.valimahomed/not-your-average-android-how-wileyfox-rewrote-the-rules-of-budget-smartphones-8225d7dd04dd |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref> The Swift is codenamed ''crackling'', whereas the codename of Storm is ''kipper''. Devices offer a non-stereo speaker.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jira.lineageos.org/browse/BUGBASH-640|title=Issues}}</ref>
==== Specification overview ==== <!-- Per WP:REPEATLINK: Wikilink 1st instance of each term, remove needless repeats after that. --> {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Model ! SoC ! CPU <!-- Use {{nts}} or {{ntsh}} to sort by megahertz (1 GHz = 1000 MHz), multiplied by number of cores e.g. 1.2 GHz dual-core = 2400 "MHz" --> ! GPU ! Storage capacity <!-- Use {{nts}} or {{ntsh}} to sort by mebibytes (1 GB = 1024 MB)--> ! Removable storage ! RAM <!-- ditto --> ! OS ! Size <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by cubic centimetres (cm³) --> ! Weight <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by grammes --> ! Battery ! Display <!-- Use {{ntsh}} to sort by diagonal length in pixels --> ! Rear-facing Camera <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by megapixels (MP) --> ! Front-facing Camera <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by megapixels (MP) --> ! Launch price |- |Wileyfox Storm |Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 |Octa core (1.7 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 and 1.0 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53) |Adreno 405 |32 GB |microSD up to 128 GB |3 GB |Cyanogen OS 12.1 |155.6 x 77.3 x 9.2 mm |157 g (5.54 oz) |2500mAh non-removable Li-Po |5.5" 1920x1080 (400ppi) with laminated glass from LG Electronics |20 MP with f/1.8 aperture |8 MP with LED flash |£199 |- |Wileyfox Swift |Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 |1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 |Adreno 306 |16 GB |microSDXC cards up to 2 TiB (2048 GiB)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jmcomms.com/2015/09/22/wileyfox-swift-review-on-sale-now-and-why-you-should-get-one/|title=Wileyfox Swift Review: On sale now – and why you should get one |work=JM Communications|date=22 September 2015 }}</ref><ref>See table 3-21 on page 74 of https://developer.qualcomm.com/download/sd410/snapdragon-410-processor-device-specification.pdf</ref> |2 GB |Cyanogen OS 12.1 |141.15 x 71 x 9.37 mm |135 g (4.76 oz) |2500mAh removable Li-Po |5" 1280×720 (294ppi) fully laminated IPS display from JDI with Corning Gorilla Glass 3<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wileyfox.com/swift/|title=Wileyfox – Swift – Affordable Smartphone technology|access-date=14 January 2016|archive-date=23 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723131357/https://www.wileyfox.com/swift/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |13 MP with f/2.0 aperture |5 MP |£129 |}
==== Swift ==== The Wileyfox Swift design is similar to the Qualcomm Seed reference design and by extension many rebadging designs, like the Longcheer L8150. This makes it comparable to 2nd generation Android One devices. Video recording in 1080p is supported at up to 30fps; 720p recording is supported at up to 60fps.<ref name="samsung.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/products/cmos-image-sensor/mobile-cis/S5K3M2?ia=217|title=S5K3M2 – Mobile CIS – Mobile Camera – Samsung Semiconductor Global Website|work=Samsung Semiconductor}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://developer.qualcomm.com/download/sd410/snapdragon-410-processor-device-specification.pdf|title=Snapdragon 410 Processor Device Specification|work=Qualcomm Developer Network}}</ref> The rear camera sensor is a Samsung S5K3M2 chip with Isocell pixels,<ref name="samsung.com"/> which provide better image quality when compared to BSI pixels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/about-us/news/13041|title=Samsung Launches ISOCELL: Innovative Image Sensor Technology for Premium Mobile Devices|work=Samsung Semiconductor}}</ref> The device supports GPS and GLONASS satellite positioning.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://ru.wileyfox.com/eng/products/swift/spec/|title=Wileyfox|accessdate=4 March 2016|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305124905/https://ru.wileyfox.com/eng/products/swift/spec/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two colour variants, sandstone black and white, are produced; however, availability varies by country. At its time of release, the Swift was the cheapest Cyanogen OS device available in Western Europe. Although not initially available, as of late 2016 replacement batteries are now sold by the manufacturer on their website.<ref>[https://www.wileyfox.com/wileyfox-swift-battery Wileyfox Swift Battery]</ref>
The device was well received by the public and media, however, comments have been made about the micro-USB port being too recessed (preventing many third-party cables from properly locking in the port). The plug shaft length of cables supplied by Wileyfox exceeds the minimum length mandated by the USB specification by approximately 0,5mm.<ref>Figure 4-8 on page 21 of the Universal Serial Bus Micro-USB Cables and Connectors Specification Revision 1.01, http://mgvs.org/public/shema/datasheet/usb_20/Micro-USB_final/Micro-USB_1_01.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115224048/http://mgvs.org/public/shema/datasheet/usb_20/Micro-USB_final/Micro-USB_1_01.pdf |date=15 November 2015 }}</ref> Wileyfox's cables do not meet USB specification requirements in other aspects, and as of 2016-01-15, Wileyfox did not pass the compliance requirements to use USB logos or trademarks.<ref>Wileyfox has no USB Vendor ID, which is a prerequisite to undergo compliance testing; http://www.usb.org/developers/logo_license/</ref> Because the metal ring holding the rear camera lens has sharp edges, moving the device on a comparatively soft surface, such as a wooden table, easily leaves scratch marks. The accessory clip-on covers available from Wileyfox alleviate this issue by protruding beyond the metal ring, and are offered in black and red orange. While these cases protect the back, rear camera lens and sides, they do not protrude to protect the screen. The device dimensions change to 73mm width, 143mm height, and 10mm thickness. GPS and GLONASS performance is fast and accurate, for early production dates.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rigg |first=Jamie |date=2015-11-30 |title=Wileyfox Swift and Storm review: Two cheap UK phones, one worth buying |url=https://www.engadget.com/2015-11-30-wileyfox-swift-storm-review.html |access-date=2025-08-03 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref> However, a metallic adhesive layer on the inside of the back cover was added in later production batches, for a purpose not known to the public. For phones produced with this layer GPS and GLONASS reception can be poor,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/wileyfox-swift-1302600/review/3|title = Wileyfox Swift review|date = 12 July 2016}}</ref> unless it is manually peeled off.
In addition to the officially supported, proprietary firmware Cyanogen OS, its basis, the Android derivative CyanogenMod, supports the device.<ref name=cmDownload>{{cite web |url=https://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=crackling&type=snapshot |title=CyanogenMod Downloads |website=download.cyanogenmod.org |access-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326112356/https://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=crackling&type=snapshot |archive-date=26 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The first release for the Swift is version 13.0, which was made available on 2016-03-16, simultaneously with the first wave of CyanogenMod 13 releases.<ref name=cmDownload /><ref name=cmRelease>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cyanogenmod.org/blog/cm-13-0-release-1 |title=CM 13.0 Release 1 | CyanogenMod |access-date=26 March 2016 |archive-date=25 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025014702/http://www.cyanogenmod.org/blog/cm-13-0-release-1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of 2020, the device is still supported by LineageOS, with LineageOS 17.1 allowing Android 10 to run on the device.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/crackling/|title=Info about crackling | LineageOS Wiki}}</ref> In February 2022, LineageOS support ended.
==== Storm ==== The Wileyfox Storm is a 5.5-inch FHD smartphone based around a unibody design. Like the Swift, the Storm uses a 2500mAh battery, but the unibody construction makes the battery non-removable. A side-mounted slot accessed by a pinhole reveals a tray that allows a combination of a Micro and Nano SIM card or a MicroSD card and a Micro SIM card. The front-facing camera is 8 MP and benefits from a LED flash for selfies. The rear camera is a 20 MP Sony EXMOR IMX220 sensor capable of 1080p and 90 fps slow-motion capture. The device supports GPS and GLONASS satellite positioning.<ref name=":0"/> Two colour variants, sandstone black and white, are produced; however, availability varies by country.
=== 2nd generation: Spark, Spark +, Spark X === In June 2016, a new range of phones was announced, consisting of Spark, Spark + and Spark X, which use Mediatek MT6735 SoCs and provide dual SIM capability. The device codenames are ''porridge'' for Spark and Spark + and ''porridgek3'' for Spark X.
==== Specification overview ==== <!-- Per WP:REPEATLINK: Wikilink 1st instance of each term, remove needless repeats after that. --> {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Model ! SoC ! CPU <!-- Use {{nts}} or {{ntsh}} to sort by megahertz (1 GHz = 1000 MHz), multiplied by number of cores e.g. 1.2 GHz dual-core = 2400 "MHz" --> ! GPU ! Storage capacity <!-- Use {{nts}} or {{ntsh}} to sort by mebibytes (1 GB = 1024 MB)--> ! Removable storage ! RAM <!-- ditto --> ! OS ! Size <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by cubic centimetres (cm³) --> ! Weight <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by grammes --> ! Battery ! Display <!-- Use {{ntsh}} to sort by diagonal length in pixels --> ! Rear-facing Camera <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by megapixels (MP) --> ! Front-facing Camera <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by megapixels (MP) --> ! Launch price |- |Wileyfox Spark |MediaTek 6735 |64-bit Quad-core 1.3 GHz |Mali T-720 |8 GB |microSD cards up to 32 gigabyte |1 GB |Cyanogen OS 13.0 |143 x 70.4 x 8.65 mm |134.5 g |2200mAh removable Li-Po |5" 1280×720 (294ppi) IPS display |8 MP |8 MP | |- |Wileyfox Spark + |MediaTek 6735 |64-bit Quad-core 1.3 GHz |Mali T-720 |16 GB |microSD cards up to 32 gigabyte |2 GB |Cyanogen OS 13.0 |143 x 70.4 x 8.65 mm |134.5 g |2200mAh removable Li-Po |5" 1280×720 (294ppi) IPS display |13 MP |8 MP | |- |Wileyfox Spark X |MediaTek 6735 |64-bit Quad-core 1.3 GHz |Mali T-720 |16 GB |microSD cards up to 32 gigabyte |2 GB |Cyanogen OS 13.0 |154.35 x 78.6 x 8.75 mm |134.5 g |3000mAh removable Li-Po |5.5" 1280×720 (267ppi) IPS display |13 MP |8 MP | |}
=== 3rd generation: Swift 2, Swift 2 Plus, Swift 2 X === In November 2016, a new range of phones were announced: Swift 2, Swift 2 Plus and Swift 2 X. The devices use Qualcomm SoCs again, specifically the MSM8937 octa-core clocked at 1.4 GHz, paired with an Adreno 505 GPU.
All third-generation phones support Qualcomm's Quick Charge 3.0 standard, although no charger is included in the box.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wileyfox.com/faqs|title=Wileyfox FAQ|publisher=Wileyfox|quote=DO WILEYFOX PHONES HAVE QUICK CHARGE TECHNOLOGY? Swift 2: Yes. Qualcomm Quick Charge™ 3.0. Swift 2 Plus: Yes. Qualcomm Quick Charge™ 3.0. Swift: No. Spark: No. Spark+: No. Spark X: No.|access-date=3 February 2017|archive-date=9 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709044109/https://www.wileyfox.com/faqs|url-status=dead}}</ref> The devices are codenamed ''marmite''.
The device codenamed ''champagne'' seems to be ''marmite'' devices with the back of the phone coloured gold.
==== Specification overview ==== <!-- Per WP:REPEATLINK: Wikilink 1st instance of each term, remove needless repeats after that. --> {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Model ! SoC ! CPU <!-- Use {{nts}} or {{ntsh}} to sort by megahertz (1 GHz = 1000 MHz), multiplied by number of cores e.g 1.2 GHz dual-core = 2400 "MHz" --> ! GPU ! Storage capacity <!-- Use {{nts}} or {{ntsh}} to sort by mebibytes (1 GB = 1024 MB)--> ! Removable storage ! RAM <!-- ditto --> ! OS ! Size <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by cubic centimetres (cm³) --> ! Weight <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by grammes --> ! Battery ! Display <!-- Use {{ntsh}} to sort by diagonal length in pixels --> ! Rear-facing Camera <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by megapixels (MP) --> ! Front-facing Camera <!-- Use {{nts}} to sort by megapixels (MP) --> ! Launch price |- |Wileyfox Swift 2 |Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 |64-bit Octa-core 1.4 GHz |Adreno 505 |16 GB |microSD cards up to 64 gigabyte |2 GB |Android Nougat 7.1.1 (upgrade from Cyanogen 13) |143.7 x 71.9 x 8.6 mm |155 g |2700mAh non-removable Li-Po |5" 1280×720 (294ppi) IPS display |13 MP |8 MP | 159 GBP |- |Wileyfox Swift 2 Plus |Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 |64-bit Octa-core 1.4 GHz |Adreno 505 |32 GB |microSD cards up to 64 gigabyte |3 GB |Android Nougat 7.1.1 (upgrade from Cyanogen 13) |143.7 x 71.9 x 8.6 mm |155 g |2700mAh non-removable Li-Po |5" 1280×720 (294ppi)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wileyfox.com/swift2plus|title=Swift 2 Plus|publisher=Wileyfox|quote=720 p HD 294 PPI 2.5d Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 360 – 400 cd/m²}}</ref> IPS display |16 MP |8 MP | 189 GBP |- |Wileyfox Swift 2 X |Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 |64-bit Octa-core 1.4 GHz |Adreno 505 |32 GB |microSD cards up to 64 gigabyte |3 GB |Android Nougat 7.1.1 (upgrade from Cyanogen 13) |147 x 73 x 8.2 mm |152.8 g |3050mAh non-removable Li-Po |5.2" 1920x1080 (424ppi)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wileyfox.com/swift2x|title=Swift 2 X|quote=5.2" FHD Display 1080p resolution 424 PPI 2.5d Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 360 – 400 cd/m²|access-date=1 February 2017|archive-date=23 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123184359/https://www.wileyfox.com/swift2x|url-status=dead}}</ref> IPS display |16 MP |8 MP | 219 GBP |} Wileyfox runout model came installed with Android 8.1, 3GB RAM, and 32GB internal memory. However, it also has an inherent fault with the front facing 'Selfie' camera. The fault manifests itself by when it is initially activated, the exposure is correct, but after a second or two, the screen goes dark as if night has quickly fallen. This has been acknowledged by Wileyfox who stated that they were working on a software fix to address the issue. As of September 2020, no fix has been released.<ref>WileyFox customer service</ref>
thumb|WileyFox response to camera fault
=== Accessories === The firm also produced spare batteries, clip-on covers, and screen protectors specific to their phones.
== External links == * {{Official website|http://wileyfox.com}} {{Portal|Technology|Companies}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Electronics companies of the United Kingdom Category:Mobile phone manufacturers Category:British brands Category:British companies established in 2015 Category:British companies disestablished in 2018