this post was submitted on 21 Jan 2026
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Linux Phones

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Community about running GNU/Linux on phones. Projects like Ubuntu Touch, Plasma Mobile, PostmarketOS, Mobian etc. Either on former Android phones or hardware like the PinePhone.

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This smartphone runs Android, Linux, and even Windows 11 (www.androidauthority.com)
submitted 4 days ago by testman@lemmy.ml to c/linuxphones@lemmy.ml
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[–] bruhbeans@lemmy.ml 18 points 4 days ago (3 children)

Rather than a cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 chip, the NexPhone is going with a rather odd choice of Qualcomm SoC: the QCM6490. This chip is primarily designed for IoT purposes, and it’s not exactly new, either — we saw the Fairphone 5 running it back in 2023, and it was noticeably sluggish, even then.

Doesn't say how the various OS'es get installed, they talk about some kind of multi-boot in the OS, that sounds bad for long-term maintenance. Give me an x86_64 CPU and UEFI, maybe I'm interested. This ain't it.

[–] Bluegrass_Addict@lemmy.ca 12 points 4 days ago (1 children)

it for sure does say how the other OS's get installed... as apps on Android.

it’ll probably run Android most of the time while on the go, but can launch Debian as an app for quickly pivoting to a new OS.

it's just an android fork and not a true Linux install. nothing but corporate lies in my book

[–] opensourceopenmind@social.vivaldi.net 3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

@Bluegrass_Addict @bruhbeans Agreed. Doesn't Android 16 already have the ability to "run Linux as an app?" Even on Android 15 and earlier people do this using @termux, proot, etc.

The dodgy surveillance OSes, Google Android and #Microslop Windows, get installed on the device, while the trustworthy OS, Debian #GNULinux, gets installed as a constrained and restricted app?

Whatever happened to people's brains?

#NexPhone #NexDock

[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Does anyone currently make an x86 CPU that's efficient enough for phone use and powerful enough for a useable desktop experience? A snapdragon 8 or elite chip would be perfect if it wasn't for the OS compatibility jank.

[–] lilith267@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

As far as I know everyone making x86 CPUs have no intrest in the phone space :(. While x86 CPUs can be optimized to near ARM efficiency, it just doesn't make sense for manufacturers to do so when ARM exists and is fully mature as a phone platform. There are tons of x86 tablets, but that's because they simply share their laptop counterparts CPU instead of a mega optimized brand new cpu

[–] jbowen@mast.hpc.social 0 points 3 days ago (1 children)
[–] lilith267@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 days ago

As much as I glaze RISC-V, its an embedded architecture firstmost. RISC-V gets a more powerful SOC released now and then but theres not massive adoption for general computing like there is for ARM, leading back into the problem of "Why go with RISC-V when ARM is far more mature?". And almost no company is building new assembly lines when 99% of their customers dont give a shit about computing freedom

[–] PabloSexcrowbar@piefed.social 6 points 4 days ago

I miss when Intel was making Atom chips for smartphones. God damn were those things fast for the time.

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 9 points 4 days ago (3 children)

TL;DR

  • For smartphone users looking for a desktop replacement, the NexPhone wants to offer a choice of three popular operating systems.
  • In addition to desktop support for Android, Linux Debian, and Windows 11, there’s full mobile compatibility, including a custom Windows UI.
  • Shipments are expected to get started in Q3 2026, with the hardware going for a reasonably affordable $549.
[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 4 days ago

I really want to see how windows 11 runs on this thing. It's at least 12 gigs of ram and not 8. But still. That's a few generations old Snapdragon CPU.

[–] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 3 points 4 days ago

So garbage

[–] Goodlucksil@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Btw, the 549$ seems to be early bird pricing, with 199$ that it requests first.

[–] Pika@sh.itjust.works 3 points 4 days ago

I'm not sure if I just misunderstood you but, the article does say the pre-order/reservation is a deposit that is for the phone. so you would only own an additional 349(plus shipping and fees) at shipping not 549 + deposit

A NexPhone reservation entitles you to purchase NexPhone before general availability.
Price: $549
Reservation deposit: $199, refundable
Remaining balance: $350
At shipping: the remaining balance plus shipping and any applicable taxes/duties will be due.
[–] poVoq@slrpnk.net 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Not sure why one would want to get this over a Fairphone 5 though. Same SoC, similar functionality, similar price.

[–] Pika@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Does the Fairphone ~~5~~6 run Linux and Windows? I was under the understanding that the Fairphone was more focused to be a repairable Android device.

This device is marketing as a middleman device that runs Windows(Native), Linux(through an app), and Android(native). I think its intent is to give more lower technical people(the people who only really need a phone + access to low power programs like documents or spreadsheets) the ability to have a work computer without actually needing to carry both a phone and a computer around.

edit: replaced 5 with 6 as 5 is discontinued and not sold first party anymore

[–] poVoq@slrpnk.net 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Huh? I was not aware they stopped selling the FP5 on their main shop. But it is still easily available with other online retailers. The FP6 is sadly a bit of a down-grade as it lacks some important features like display out and USB3.

The FP5 can run Ubuntu Touch and PostmarketOS quite well, yes.

My impression is that this NexPhone just uses Android16's built in virtualization features to run Linux and Windows. The FP5 will also be able to do that once the Android16 update becomes available for it in the near future.

[–] Pika@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

I think it might for Linux but they mention a boot menu and requiring a reboot for windows, so I don't think windows is via a virtualization layer.

Also disappointing to hear the downgraded stuff for the 6. I was looking into them at once point but due to the infancy of the phone I decided against it, looks like it was a good call.

[–] colin@lemmy.uninsane.org 7 points 4 days ago (2 children)
  • SD card: ✅
  • Headphone port: ❌
[–] ambitiousslab@feddit.uk 5 points 4 days ago (2 children)

They also make a big deal about "Qualcomm® support until 2036" but the battery is not replaceable. So in reality, 4-5 years of use tops?

[–] Pika@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

Man, I didn't even notice that my first looksy on it. Yeah, that killed any type of interest I would have even if they made a cheaper version. Like, an enthusiast grade that doesn't allow you to replace the battery. Yeah, they're shooting themselves in the foot just from the start.

[–] erebion@news.erebion.eu 5 points 4 days ago

Doesn't matter much, they will not be able to sell it in the EU without a replaceable battery.

[–] Bluegrass_Addict@lemmy.ca 4 points 4 days ago

runni g android and then debian as an APPLICATION... it's not a Linux phone

[–] atropa@piefed.social 3 points 4 days ago

Hell no