Hey everyone! After my last deep dive into Linux phones, you all shared some amazing feedback and pointed out some devices I missed. Plus, there have been some exciting new announcements in the mobile Linux world. So today, we’re going to look at some interesting devices I overlooked and share some important updates about the phones we discussed last time.
The Modular Marvel: SHIFTphone 8
The SHIFTphone 8 is easily one of the coolest devices I forgot to cover in my last video. Looking at the specs and development approach, they’re doing something really interesting – building a modular, repairable phone with water resistance. With over 13 user-replaceable modules and hardware kill switches for cameras and microphones, they’re taking repairability seriously. The device runs ShiftOS (based on Android 14) but also promises extensive custom ROM support for the Linux enthusiasts out there.
Mecha Comet: A Different Development Philosophy
The Mecha Comet seems to be taking a different approach to phone development. While not available yet, its hardware already exists and is clearly not the first iteration. This is very different from what the Librem 5 did (crowdfunding an idea), and what the Libreboot NEXX is doing. While it’s not a bad thing to crowdfund an idea, having hardware already designed and debugged before crowdfunding will be a major speedup for time to delivery. I have also started looking at the software stack Mecha is building. Their build scripts seem to have all been written in Nu shell, and the desktop environment I believe is written in Rust, completely ditching GTK and the GNOME stack.
FLX1 Update: Good News for US Users
Just a quick correction from my last video. The FLX1 by Furi Labs apparently does have good cell support for at least T-Mobile in the USA. I can’t independently verify this, but I can say the devs behind the FLX1 are sharp and easy to get ahold of if you have questions. As long as you’re okay with the Android bootstrap approach to getting modern hardware working with a Linux stack, this is a really good device with seemingly good support. If I had $550 spare, I’d certainly test out one of these. Furi, if you end up with a spare review device, I’d love to put it through its paces.
postmarketOS: Supported Devices
For those willing to flash their devices, postmarketOS runs well on the OnePlus 6/6T and Google Pixel 3a. While these aren’t out of the box solutions, with a little know-how, they can make a really good daily driver. But these aren’t going to be devices that you can give to your grandma without at least some training.
Jolla’s New Community Phone
Jolla just announced a Community Phone for €299, which is pretty exciting for SailfishOS fans. It’s running SailfishOS 5.0 with Android app support (API level 33), powered by an octa-core ARM processor. With 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, it’s decently specced for the price point. However, potential US buyers should note that Sailfish OS still isn’t fully open source, and you’ll want to carefully check the LTE bands for US carrier compatibility before jumping in.
Closing Thoughts
The mobile Linux landscape is really heating up in 2025. From the modular approach of the SHIFTphone 8 to Jolla’s new Community Phone, we’re seeing some fascinating developments. Thanks for watching, bye!