BUDGET 5G smartphone w/ Ubuntu Touch

shengchieh

Dear Ubuntu Touch users

I am considering buy a BUDGET smartphone and install Ubuntu Touch.

Tello, prepaid provider which piggybacks on T-mobile, wrote me

At present, 4G and 4G/LTE services have not been discontinued and remain widely supported. However, some carriers are gradually transitioning spectrum and resources toward 5G networks.
When 4G/LTE services are eventually phased out, devices will generally be required to support:

5G Standalone (SA) connectivity
Voice services over modern IP-based systems (such as VoNR, and VoLTE where LTE is still partially active)
Compatibility with specific 5G frequency bands and certification requirements.

In the past, Oneplus 6/6t was an ideal BUDGET phone. Unfortunately it is 4G LTE phone and eventually
will be phased out. T-mobile announced plan to discontinue 4G and 4G LTE even last year - the writing
is on the wall.

I am looking at the future. What is a good BUDGET phone that works with 5G?

Thank in advanced for your opinion.

Sheng-Chieh

idonthatevests

@shengchieh
OnePlus N10 is a good device for that, if you find one with unlockable bootloader, but sometimes it glitches out (could be because of my use case) and requires forced shutdown, which requires holding all buttons for some time

oldbutndy

@idonthatevests
The N10 5G is 5G. The N100 is similar, but no 5G. Some people said they ordered N10 from somewhere, but got N100, so watch out for that. If in USA, search for BE2026. You might have trouble unlocking BE2028.

on Ebay, over 10 used N10's (some BE2026) have sold for under $100 in past 2 months. Some new-in-box BE2026 have recently sold for over $150.