I have been out of the loop for a while with the development of Linux/GNU based OSes on phones. However, with seeing how companies (like reddit) can change the rules as they wish, I want to see if completely switching to Linux is possible.

Long story short… what are the current phone providers that have Linux as an OS, or what is the best way to run Linux on an off-the-shelf phone?

As a side-question, is Nextcloud still the next best option for a complete service alternative to Google/iCloud?

Thank you!

  • frathiemann@feddit.de
    1·
    1 year ago

    I am daily driving my PinePhone Pro running manjaro (Plasma Mobile) for about a year now. I can say, it is definitely daily driveable with some exeptions/limitations:

    • The Battery life is horrible, like 3 h max usage from a battery. But since the batteries are cheap and can easily be swapped, I just have 4 of them to get through the day
    • The camera is working in the sense, that it can make pictures. If you want nice pictures, bring a separate camera
    • From time to time, cellular network connectivity drops out for short moments

    Other than that it is pretty much functioning as a real phone. Of curse there are not that many apps. Telegram works natively and flawless, but whatsapp needs to be used via Whatsapp Web. For syncing all my documents and files I use nextcloud which works without any problems (once set up)

    There is also the non Pro Version of the PinePhone, which is much slower, but has a better camera software and longer battery life (and is cheaper)

  • Janis@feddit.de
    1·
    1 year ago

    pinephone. but i just use it for fiddling around as too much stuff does not work.

  • Krik@feddit.de
    0·
    1 year ago

    Phones that run mainline Linux are seldom. The only ones that come to my mind are PinePhone Pro (outdated hardware, 400 bucks) and Librem 5 (also outdated hardware, incredibly expensive 1300$ !). If you are serious get the PinePhone Pro. But expect pitfalls because you can’t just run Android apps.

    Nextcloud is still the best option for self hosted cloud services.

  • rodneyck@lemmy.world
    01·
    1 year ago

    You have to find a phone that is compatible with open source Linux Phone OS. Most of the OS websites give a listing of what phone make/model works. FYI, almost all the Google Pixel phones work.

    Here are a few I am keeping an eye on when my Pixel 4a/5G stops getting updates from Google…this year. /

    LineageOS/ GrapheneOS/ CalyxOS/ e.foundation/

    Youtube videos and other websites are good sources on how to install, etc.

    • Roxxor@feddit.de
      1·
      1 year ago

      You’re talking about Android (Linux) phones, and not GNU/Linux as stated in the question.