Gionee M6 and M6 Plus feature hardware encryption to secure data, calls, and payments

Chinese manufacturer Gionee has introduced a pair of Android-powered smartphones with several unique security enhancements, including dedicated hardware encryption chips. The all-aluminum handsets — the 5.5-inch M6 and 6.0-inch M6 Plus — store vital information like passwords, cryptographic keys, and digital certificates in a self-contained chip that is hard-coded to operate only with a given handset’s CPU.

Both models use 64-bit Helio P10 systems-on-chip with octa-core processors (running at 1.8GHz in the M6 and 2.0GHz in the M6 Plus), feature full HD AMOLED displays, and contain 4GB of RAM. Each model ships in either 64GB or 128GB storage capacities.

While the M6 offers a 13-megapixel camera sensor, the M6 Plus steps that up to 16 megapixels, and both models sport 8-megapixel selfie cams. Likewise, M6 contains a hefty 5,000mAh battery, and M6 Plus beefs that up to 6,020mAh.

The hardware encryption is employed in a number of features throughout the phones, supported by a rear-mounted fingerprint reader. Data is secured through a second-generation system known as Private Vault 2.0. Encrypted phone calls are possible through the so-called Private Line functionality. And payment verification codes are hardware encrypted as part of larger suite of defenses called Payment Protection.

Other onboard security features include password protection of individual apps, along with protection against malicious apps that try to gain rights such as call recording and camera usage. Users can even falsify their geographical coordinates, resulting in tailored reporting by the GPS hardware to apps that request location data.

Available in China and other select markets like India, Vietnam, and Thailand — but not Europe or North America — the M6 retails for RMB2699 ($404) for 64GB and RMB2899 ($434) at 128GB, while M6 Plus costs RMB2999 ($449) in 64GB and RMB3199 ($479) in 128GB capacities.