I’m probably going to spam this around a bit, since most people don’t seem to know about it, but a reminder that FuriLabs has a (GNU+)Linux phone with decent spec.s and the ability to run Android app.s (from what I’ve heard) pretty decently: https://furilabs.com/
Biggest drawback is it’s based on Halium. Usual growing pains of a new product/company apply but apparently the company is pretty responsive and their dev.s have worked with customers to get things like calling working with the carrier and bands of their country where it hasn’t worked before so improvements move pretty quickly.
Collection of different experiences I’ve variously seen online over the last year or so:
- https://clehaxze.tw/gemlog/2025/07-20-flx1-actually-usable-linux-phone.gmi
- https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41839326
- https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/1fa1ljn/furilabs_flx1/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/1j46f2w/flx1_linux_phone_display_out/
- https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/03/furiphone_flx1/
I don’t own one, myself, so I can’t give any personal experience but I’ve seen it around for a few years now but most people don’t seem to even know about it. Maybe there’s a reason for that? But none I’ve ever seen anyone say.
@unknown1234_5@kbin.earth, @Korhaka@sopuli.xyz, @Tyr_Raidho_Othala@reddthat.com, @nimble@lemmy.blahaj.zone
(only because you all expressed desire for a proper Linux phone and I’ve still, yet, to’ve seen anyone mention this in this thread; may not fit your needs but in case no one knew of it, yet)
What is halium and why is it a drawback ?
https://halium.org/ (not me insinuating you should’ve just searched for it; I just like to be thorough and give all possible information, even if unneeded)
The very simplified explanation (as far as I understand things) is that it uses an Android kernel to run Linux on so that hardware issues are minimized (the biggest difficulty that Purism and the Pinephones have had and why they’ve been harangued in terms of what they can do is they’re trying to provide open hardware that can work with the pure Linux kernel).
So the plus side is that things work with Android hardware – because you’re, ultimately, using the Android kernel – and you can (theoretically) open up the number of devices you can run on exceedingly.
Downside is (I believe) you get Google/Android closed bits running and you’re tied to the development of whomever made that modified kernel. All the complaints about not getting kernel upgrades after a while (because you’re using a modified kernel, you can’t just pull the latest and greatest from upstream and use it) that people have with Android will still apply.
Given the moves Google’s making, it’s not a deal breaker, for me, but I know it can be for some people so just wanted to give people the heads up.
CyanogenMod, how I loved thee
I am in dire need of a true Linux Phone
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iOS jailbreaking used to be incredible too.
I guess it might still be for those who slipped into the “window” to do it, but I have no clue what Cydia looks like these days.
Cydia is practically dead, replaced by Sileo or Zebra, and most tweaks are paid now.
I miss when people did stuff for a hobby or for fun. Literally everything wants your money these days it seems.
It’s not like everything (or rather every dev) necessarily wants your money. We’re forced to monetize even our hobbies in an attempt to live a worthwhile life. It’s a cancerous system infecting everything and everyone.
To develop great FOSS software without the need of monetization is an enormous privilege.
I remember this “don’t be evil” slogan. But what was it from?
I’m gonna carry around my steam deck and add a USB camera module, a GPS module, and add some meshtastic radios modules, and I’m gonna daily drive it as the ultimate all-in-one device, and Mr. Google Pichai can’t stop me! xD
good idea however if you ever feel like needing a phone again… i have one word for you:GrapheneOS
Only for Google Pixels
I mean, if google is on track to ban sideloading, there’s not doubt they will also ban bootloader unlocking.
Though graphene is shopping for phone OEMs rn, hopefully there’ll be a graphenephone soonish.
Isn’t GrapheneOS just another android os?
not by the android
