Patreon Logo Support us on Patreon to keep GamingOnLinux alive. This ensures all of our main content remains free for everyone. Just good, fresh content! Alternatively, you can donate through PayPal Logo PayPal. You can also buy games using our partner links for GOG and Humble Store.
Title: can we have a true linux phone?
Page: 1/2
  Go to:
lucinos 13 Sep 2017
I really hate the options we have today for smartphones. Android is using Linux kernel but that alone does not really make it a linux distribution. Of course it is a lot better than having an Apple or Microsoft monopoly. Tizen is also very interesting (for me more interesting than Android). But what if there was real-linux-respect-or-freedom choice? This should be doable... I really hope for one...

And I saw this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SwE9W8JasA
https://puri.sm/shop/librem-5/
Julius 13 Sep 2017
I doubt much will come out of that, but maybe I am just burned by Ubuntu Phone. Which BTW still exists as a community supported version.

Otherwise you can run regular Linux on Android via chroot. I did that to have a "pocket nextcloud server" which is quite nice especially if you often use your mobile to share internet with other devices.

Oh and there is also Plasma Mobile and MaruOS.
Blurps 13 Sep 2017
and SailfishOS :D (but not 100% free)
razing32 13 Sep 2017
User Avatar
I know about KDE trying to do their own thing :
https://plasma-mobile.org/
Mezron 13 Sep 2017
User Avatar
I wish we had a Linux OS ROM that was deployable across all types of Android phones. I usually buy a $40 to $50 knock-off phone for me and the family. Right now we are all using Lineage OS without Gapps on Galaxy S4 knock-offs. So far so good.
BlackBloodRum 13 Sep 2017
Well.. not really. Not yet.

But if freedom and liberty is your goal then you can always try to find out if your device supports Replicant.

Have a looksy:
https://www.replicant.us/
Redface 13 Sep 2017
I will try out Sailfish soon. I ordered a Sony Xperia X and then a few weeks and Jolla should release the new sailfish for it, including android support. https://blog.jolla.com/sailfishx/

I have never used Sailfish, its the based on the linux based Meego that Nokia made, and then when they finally had the first phone announced that they only would do windows phones from then on dooming it as a flop even if it had very positive reviews at that time.
Blurps 13 Sep 2017
My Jolla C is all I need. SailfishOS is a great project, less features than android but it's a good compromise. I really hope SailsfishX will be a success because we really need alternatives to Android and iOS.
FirefoxOS is a failure and Ubuntu gave up their project without mentioning Windows Phone.
g000h 13 Sep 2017
For me, I've been using Linux mobile devices for many a year.

Earliest device was a Sharp Zaurus, UK version, and then the cool mini-laptop types only available from Japan.

Then I moved on to Nokia N900 running Maemo Linux, which gave you, the user, full root on the device.

After that Nokia released only in Europe, not UK, their wonderful N9 phone running MeeGo Linux. It competed incredibly well with the other top smartphones available when it was released. Unfortunately Microsoft took over Nokia company at that point, and they focussed on Windows Mobile phones and some Symbian ones and dropped MeeGo (wahhhhh, boo hoo).

But a Nokia splinter group departed from the company and produced the Jolla company, releasing the Jolla "Sailfish OS" Linux phone. Unfortunately Jolla have not managed to fire up the masses, and their mobile hasn't grabbed much market share. But, they did very well considering. I mean, look how "Microsoft" and "Blackberry" have done in the mobile device OS market.

Now that Nokia has re-taken back their main phone production company from Microsoft, they're concentrating on Android phones. They're pretty decent ones too. Who knows, maybe Nokia / Jolla will do something which grows successful in the future.
tuubi 13 Sep 2017
User Avatar
I've really grown to love my old Jolla. Too bad it seems to be on its last legs.

I was really happy about the Sailfish on Xperia X deal until I read about their pricing model with yearly, non-trivial license fees. I doubt their fanbase is big enough to support that sort of lunacy. Can I just please have a PuzzlePhone with Sailfish OS? Please?
Ketil 14 Sep 2017
I just switched from SailfishOS to Android 7. I like the swipe actions, multitasking, and active covers, and terminal apps better on sailfishOS, but the GUI apps, both bundled and in the store are generally better on android. All apps for Sailfishos are gratis because Jolla refuse to implement support for paid apps, some(most?) of them are also FOSS.

I think SailfishOS has potential if they are bought by a russian or chinese company, but I don't see them succeeding with current management, and I don't think they have any chance in mainstream western world markets.
slaapliedje 14 Sep 2017
I'm still rather miffed about the Jolla Tablet...

But I still have my N9 and N900, sadly though there are applications I need that run only Android/iOS, so went with the Samsung Notes. Probably would have gotten a Jolla phone when they'd come out if they'd supported all the bands in the US.
wolfyrion 14 Sep 2017
here it comes

https://www.kde.org/announcements/kde-purism-librem5.php
Julius 15 Sep 2017
Yeah that announcement made me consider it again. Gnome is nice, but I think it work better for tablets, while plasma mobile seems to be more phone oriented.

I guess I could sign up for it as they are only charging your credit card if they reach the goal (doesn't look so likely right now), but my stupid visa card has issues with some "security" features :(
tonR 21 May 2019
I revived this thread due to current issue about Huawei-Google/Trade war things. Regardless whatever your stances, I think it is important for us to have an alternative ways to use FOSS mobile devices as same as we use on PC right now.

I appreciate all devs working on devices to run FOSS especially Linux like postmarketOS, UBPorts, Librem etc. BUT in my opinion, some these projects' development kinda too slow for at least to functional use as like late-2000 "dumbphone" on daily basis. No offence and apologies for harsh words.

IMO, no alternative will create virtual monopoly thus creating unfair leverage or it will become a "weapon" for some.

So, I hope we have new things/ideas to discuss about Linux phones/mobile devices on this revived thread.
Salvatos 21 May 2019
Librem is chugging along nicely. The devkits have shipped and they are refining the boards and apps. There's just no way I can justify buying a $600 phone, but I'm very interested in their effort. I hope it does well and they can bring the cost down on future iterations.
damarrin 21 May 2019
Ubuntu/UBports is still very far from usable for non-enthusiasts. It's true that progress has been glacial, but that's the way it is when there's no financial interest.

I'd argue Apple is better than Google, tbf, as Google's business is ostensibly gathering data about its users and Apple's isn't... probably.
skyrrd 21 May 2019
I also like the idea of a true linux smartphone and would be willing to trade in some comfort for privacy and control.
i doubt purism will be able to deliver the librem 5 in the anticipated time frame, but they will do better if they take their time to polish their device instead of rushing...but might also be a bit more realistic about their etas

I'm also very interested in the pinephone and necunos Smartphone. We will see how good these three will hold up to their promises and how they work as a daily driver.

Right now i am using a mate 10 pro and there are exactly two reasons why i cant make the full switch Back to my beloved oneplus one flashed with ubports

First one is the camera ( i have three Kids and Smartphones have superseeded the need for Compact cameras long ago.)

Second one is WhatsApp (and i hate to rely on this disgusting pile of crap)

But right now people seem to ignore any other form of digital communication, so there is no way around that Service atm.

Besides that i am anyways in the process of degoogling my life (thanks to nextcloud, protonmail and other new favourites) and dont Play any Games on my phone, so i dont mind if there arent any "hip" Apps and Games available when These devices Launch.

Edit: forget about necunos Phone as a daily driver. Besides its huge pricetag and mediocre Hardware (imx6, 1gb ram) ist also lacks a celluar Radio so only usable via WLAN or maybe as a tethered device.
tonR 22 May 2019
Quoting: skyrrdSecond one is WhatsApp (and i hate to rely on this disgusting pile of crap)
AGREED! And what's more disgusting? Sending my personal banking info on that f*king app!
Seriously, most banks' officers nowadays mainly using Whatsapp to send/received anyone personal infos. Data protection law is exist here but you know.....

.......let's be quiet and not rock the boat.
Ehvis 22 May 2019
User Avatar
  • Supporter Plus
Quoting: skyrrdBut right now people seem to ignore any other form of digital communication, so there is no way around that Service atm.
I have never used it and never will. It's never been a problem, so the "no way around" seems to be mostly a self-made problem.
Quoting: EhvisI have never used it and never will. It's never been a problem, so the "no way around" seems to be mostly a self-made problem.
Not necessarily; when people around you rely on that app exclusively, you could find yourself at a disadvantage. A couple of weeks ago a cousin of mine took a few pictures with his phone at a family gathering. I asked him to send the pictures to me in an email -- he insisted on whatsapp, though that's not an option for me, as I don't have a mobile phone. I gave him my email address, and I'm _still_ waiting for those attachments.
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon Logo Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal Logo PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
Login / Register