"New": Nothing Phone 1 with Ubuntu Touch

libremax

This port was released in its first version in September 2025 but remained somewhat under the radar.

Now, the Nothing Phone 1 is integrated into ubports-installer and receives OTA updates via UBports servers.
There is only one update channel at the moment for UT Noble 24.04-1.1, the ‘daily’ channel. There is no “RC” channel or ‘Stable’ channel yet.
(24.04-2.x daily channel is also available.)

Also missing is a description sheet in https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/ to complete the picture.
However, information on hardware support is available here:
https://gitlab.com/ubports/porting/community-ports/android11/nothing-phone-1/nothing-spacewar

There is not much missing in that matter.
The display only supports 60Hz (not 90Hz or 120Hz, mainly useful for video games), which is not really a problem under UT, as video games are not a frequent use case.
It should also be noted that VoLTE has not been tested but ‘should work’ (according to "Nonta72" , who made the porting).

As for the installation procedure, all you need is:

on the Nothing Phone 1, the unlocked bootloader + a ‘stock’ version (provided by the manufacturer) 13 or 15 of Android,
fastboot and adb on the computer that will run the UBports installer

(Source of this information:
https://xdaforums.com/t/rom-linux-ubuntu-touch-for-nothing-phone-1-waydroid-android-13-included.4758279/)

A device with hardware performance similar to the Fairphone 5 according to benchmarks, which therefore probably offers a very solid user experience under Ubuntu Touch.
Though probably no possibility to use an external display with a wired connection given USB Type-C 2.0, OTG.

Thank Nonta72 for your contribution!

wally

@libremax Wow, nice bit of news! Thanks for sharing

Moem

I do hope it will appear on the device list. It's not hard to fly under the radar when your port is effectively hidden from public view.

libremax

@Moem Nonta72 has already made the MR: https://gitlab.com/ubports/infrastructure/devices.ubuntu-touch.io/-/merge_requests/659#note_3106647014
Just waiting for validation...

Moem

@libremax Oh very good! I love to see new and interesting devices appear on the list.

libremax

@Moem It should be noted that https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/
is far from being updated in real time.
Device porters must also create the corresponding entry, which they do not always do, or may do so with a considerable delay after inclusion in ubports-installer.
The same applies to updates.
See the difference between devices listed as supporting noble in blog announce,
( https://ubports.com/blog/ubports-news-1/ubuntu-touch-24-04-1-0-release-3973), in ubports-installer list
and those listed in https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/
Three sources, three realities.
And some postings also may exist elsewhere in Internet but not in ubports-installer (nor in devices web site) and be in a good state of working.

This is why referring blindly to this list https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/ to answer certain questions is a little too simplistic.

Moem

@libremax said in "New": Nothing Phone 1 with Ubuntu Touch:

some postings also may exist elsewhere in Internet but not in ubports-installer and be in a good state of working.

True, but we can't support those ports. I always hope the porter will take the steps to make their port official / supported. It's better for all parties involved.

referring blindly to this list https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/ to answer certain questions is a little too simplistic.

That is the unfortunate truth. It's a problem. And I don't see any easy solutions.

MrT10001

I got hold on one and it is good. Straightforward install and you don't need to be on Android 13 (Nothing OS 2.05) to install. I was on Android 15 (Nothing OS 3.2) and the install was very smooth.

I have my return to Android strategy as Android looked good on it as well even though I am not a great fan of it.

Thanks to all involved and I am sure it will make it to the devices page

libremax

@MrT10001 Good, may be you will be able to test VoLTE with Nothing Phone 1 to complete its description?

MrT10001

@libremax On the XDA developers forum, there was mention of 5G working!

libremax

@MrT10001 5G doesn't mean VoLTE is working, no?

MrT10001

@libremax Just tested and VoLTE is picked up and seems to be working. My 5G SIM is in use so I cannot test that yet.

libremax

Nothing Phone 1 has landed in https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/spacewar/

sm-xcx

@libremax VoLTE is working! I've been testing for about a month and can confidently say that both outgoing and incoming calls work with proper audio over VoLTE

sm-xcx

@Moem said:

referring blindly to this list https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/ to answer certain questions is a little too simplistic.

That is the unfortunate truth. It's a problem. And I don't see any easy solutions.

I might be wrong but from what I have seen the listings seem to be based on some files stored in their gitlab repo, if thats the case can I take the insentive to update these listings based on the installer and by asking community members? I have plenty time right now cuz my college starts late so I would be more than happy to help!

Mario.CH

Hi @MrT10001,

@MrT10001 said:

Just tested and VoLTE is picked up and seems to be working. My 5G SIM is in use so I cannot test that yet.

With 5G, VoNR is used for phone calls as a so-called standalone implementation.

However, the 5G NR standard also has a non-standalone implementation, which is responsible for the use of VoLTE. Therefore, I think it should also be possible to use VoLTE with a 5G SIM card.

However, not all mobile network operators may offer non-standalone implementation.

Greetings
Mario

MrT10001

@Mario.CH 5G works on this device. Tested and working.