Here is my unfiltered unashamed opinion of our best options for Mobile Linux devises in 2025.


To kick things off, let’s look at the new kids on the block.

First let’s cover the new kids on the block that are available now.
https://furilabs.com/
has the FLX1, which is an Android based phone reshaped into a Linux device. This uses Halium to bridge the driver gap, but means this is tied to an Android kernel. This guy has 6GB RAM, 128GB Storage and a CPU with 2X 2.4 GHz and 6x 2.0 GHz, a very powerful CPU for a Linux phone. However there is one big caveat, this device will not work well with network providers in the USA. This looks a lot like what the Jolla guys are doing, but with a Debian base and fully open source!

While not really a dedicated phone, the ClockWork UConsole, does support a 4G/LTE cellular modem, and is in a mobile form factor.
https://www.clockworkpi.com/uconsole
The UConsole is powered by a Raspberry Pi Compute Module4 so it’s compatible with a range of CPUs, some seem to be about as fast as the Librem 5. I’d love to do a deep dive on these devices once I can get my hands on them.

The next few phones are still pre crowdfunding stage but worth mentioning.

The Liberux NEXX looks amazing and has some truly impressive specs!
https://liberux.net/
At its core it’s an Octa-core CPU running up to 2.4GHz, 32 GB RAM!, and 256GB eMMC storage. This is truly a next gen Linux phone. It builds on the Librem 5 with security backed into its core with easily accessible hardware kill switches. This is more than 2X faster than the current king of mobile Linux the Librem 5. This guy runs a Debian based OS, and clearly runs Phosh. I’m personally very excited for this device.

Mecha Comet takes a similar approach to the Librem 5 sporting an NXP CPU at its core.
https://mecha.so/comet
This puppy has a 1.8 GHz processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of flash storage. It’s a small stepped upgrade compared to the NEXX. But should still be faster than the Librem 5. This also uses a Debian based OS but this time running its own custom user interface.
While not as focused on security as other devices, this takes modularity up a notch by supporting detachable front panels. Perfect for those who want a thumb keyboard or a dedicated game. Compared to the Librem 5, this should be a nice speed improvement, but certainly not a thickness improvement, especially with those attachments on.

Sailfish OS is also a really powerful Linux phone option, while not as versatile or easy to port other OSes, the phones tend to have powerful specs, and the OS is a solid base to build on. Much less frustration than Android, but not as free and open as a Librem 5. If that sounds interesting a Sony Xperia 10 III is a good option with good specs.
6GB RAM, Octa-core CPU (2×2.0GHz and 6×1.7GHz), topped off with 128GB storage.

So where does that put us?

To say it without saying it, I think someone will dethrone Purism and become the next Linux Mobile king. Last gen devices like the pinephones and Librem 5 are just too slow and old. I’m not sure which of the above, if any of them will take the top spot, but I’d love to see a company put their devs where their marketing department is. What I mean is I’m hoping we get a new company to champion Mobile Linux and pay our mobile devs making all this possible a living wage. I personally can’t wait to see where the NEXX and Comet go. I’ll do my best to get my hands on the hardware and put it through its paces.
If you like this kind of thing, make sure to subscribe as I plan to keep updated on all things Mobile Linux, and Open Source.
PostmarketOS is amazing, I’m sorry I left you out of my list, it runs on lots of devices. B-) If I missed your Linux device, please leave a note of it so I can learn about it. 🙂

I forgot about the SHIFTphone 8, which is also really cool, but mostly running Android for now.


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