We Have Been Promised a New Linux Smartphone Which is Not Based on Android
We Have Been Promised a New Linux Smartphone Which is Not Based on Android
Exciting to see companies pushing Linux phones towards the mainstream.
Crossposted from https://rss.ponder.cat/post/204768
Based in Madrid, Liberux is gaining attention with its Linux smartphones that run on LiberuxOS — a mostly open source operating system built from scratch, completely independent of Android and iOS. Their NEXX line of smartphones distinguishes itself as a Linux phone capable of running standard Linux distributions right out of the box.
Realizing that most people aren’t looking to spend a fortune on niche tech, Liberux recently announced that it was working on a more affordable version to make the NEXX accessible to a broader audience.
As far as I'm concerned, it's exciting to see organizations working to bring Linux phones into the mainstream.
Liberux NEXX: What Does it Offer?
Let’s start with the original model, which is impressive for what it is. It looks like a legit attempt at creating a daily-driver Linux phone that doesn’t feel like a development kit.
The Liberux NEXX features an octa-core Rockchip RK3588S processor (4×Cortex-A76 + 4×Cortex-A55, up to 2.4 GHz), 32 GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and a 6.34″ 2400×1080 OLED display.
It includes 512 GB of eMMC storage, which is expandable via microSD (up to 2 TB). Connectivity options include dual USB-C ports, 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
Those are solid specs, and the price (~$1,485) shows it. 😲
Enter, The Budget-Friendly Alternative
The Liberux NEXX Community edition serves as a more affordable alternative to the original model while retaining many of its core features.
It includes the same 6.34-inch OLED display, Rockchip RK3588S processor, 32MP rear and 13MP front cameras, dual USB-C ports, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a 5,300 mAh battery, and microSD support up to 2 TB. Both versions run LiberuxOS, a Debian-based Linux operating system.
While the flagship model comes with 32 GB RAM, 512 GB storage, and 5G, the new Community version offers 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, and 4G LTE connectivity. There’s also a mid-range option with 16 GB RAM.
🛒 Getting the Liberux NEXX Community
As with any crowdfunding campaign, delays or changes are expected. Currently available on Indiegogo, the Community model with 8 GB of RAM is priced at approximately $900, excluding shipping costs.
Additional tiers such as First Backer and Golden Backer are also available, offering various perks. Shipments are expected to begin globally in July 2026, though availability may vary by country.
Via: Liliputing
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The one concern I have is that banks are app only more and more, not being able to run banking apps (is that the case?) Is a no go for me.
What is this, a sick joke? "Budget-friendly" and "entry-level" means "price similar to a PinePhone" (i.e. $200), not $900!
It's too much money and too much risk. 900 is not affordable.
I'm interested in an alternative, but just to try it out, Ubuntu touch that I can install on an old phone.
The thing is: As far as I could gather, they are planning make this in Spain, which - in addition to small scale production (you pay more per part if you order less) introduces higher wages (and costs due to different regulations etc.).
Would I like it to be cheaper? Yes. But ceteris paribus I would not trust them to make it if this where cheaper.
Regarding alternatives, postmarketOS and Mobian also work on old Android phones.
The price of the flagship actually seems reasonable considering the specs. Especially for a niche phone. But it's a kickstarter campaign so who knows if it will see the light of day and what the retail version might cost.
The fact that they felt they needed to lead with 32GB of memory in a phone at such huge cost maybe tells you what some of the challenges are, considering even top of the line Android with similar price points cap at 12GB.
I don't know that you're going to feature creep your way into mobile OS viability. You're going to need a legitimate shot at Android out of the gate. Especially at flagship price points. If your pitch is "pay high end prices to give us a shot at succeeding where Windows/MS crashed and burned" you're going to have to pitch wealthier people than me.
"budget phone" that’s more expensive than a new flagship iphone
and has ancient hardware
and doesn’t have 5G
i sure wonder why linux phones aren’t taking off!!!
Do you have a solution to these problems?
not really, at the end of the day im just an asshole with an internet connection
i get that products for niche markets will be overpriced because there’s little economies of scale, i just wish the product you’d get out of it was good
the framework laptops are pretty expensive for their specs, but the specs are still good, you’ll end up with a good laptop, and it’s repairable! to many people (including me), that makes it worth the price
but when your phone that’s more expensive than Famously More Of A Luxury Fashion Statement Than Tech Device phone has midrange at best specs and a soon-to-be-obsolete cellular connection, why even bother?
Because it's incredibly difficult to port an OS ecosystem to a new platform ...?
$900
$90.0 is good. $150 is... well, I might consider. $900 isn't even funny.
This is a phone with the specs of a decent full laptop. And compared to other phones it's a small-run luxury item: they aren't Samsung or Google and won't be making millions of these, so no economies of scale to lower the price like the big players have.
The price seems amazing to me. Almost too good to be true.
I hope this becomes a product that can be sold at a reasonable price. If so, I might buy one. Won't be holding my breath, though.
FWIW, regarding price: The "Tesla model" of creating a new market (EVs that didn't suck) worked. Have the die-hards pay premium for luxury/performance enabling the profit needed to produce cheaper models too.
The pain point for a new mobile OS will always be a few critical apps like government ID, national payment systems etc. Those that you simply must have on a phone for it to be a viable daily driver.
Are the cheaper Tesla models in the room with us?
Roadster -> Model S -> Model 3
Yes. That forced other automakers to follow suit and I'm now a happy Volkswagen ID.7 driver instead of the previous Model 3.
Looks like it'll have Android APK compatibility through waydroid. I guess this is one of the reasons why is needs heaps of ram.
Ah ok - thanks! I'll check if those apps for Sweden work in regular Waydroid then. That's always the biggest obstacle and would be something to promote.
I could have missed it, but is there any mention somewhere of compatibility with existing android/iOS apps?
One of the reasons the windows phone died was a lack of apps as they entered the market too late and app devs weren't very keen on building the app on yet another platform.
Most apps these days are just an html page disguised as an app anyways
This is very much untrue
I know PinePhone will probably never be ready like this but Purism should step up to get something like this out. They have their heads too far up their bung hole to see it through despite having good potential. PureOS is also Debian based, but this is good news. Never heard of them until now but if they're ethical about their hardware (they let us replace parts), then I wish them all the best.
At that price I'd rather take a chance on the furios phone.
To save money why are you not including 5g? What a weird thing to cut. How about cutting the extraneous second USB port first?
Is this price a high for the punch it packs? You have to wonder if they're subsidizing the development of an open source OS with a higher price of the phone.