Best phone for Linux Mobile OS

AntiDroid · 9 Mar 2021, 09:33

@roguerascal If you are looking to run the closest thing to what you know and love as Linux you only really have two choices right now. Librem 5 and Pinephone. Both were built specifically to run mainline linux but neither seem to be much more than developer items and not really daily ready.

Then you have a few phones that run Postmarket OS on mainline but none of them can make calls except the Pinephone.

That leaves you with Ubuntu Touch which does run the linux kernel and many familiar packages but also uses a Modified Android Kernel and Android propriety driver blobs. You do not use it like a normal Linux system. You can not install stuff to the system as you would on a desktop or laptop.

carlod · 9 Mar 2021, 10:16

@dobey I'm not using ubuntu 16.04 on my PC lmao
I know you're trying your best to move to focal

RogueRascal · 9 Mar 2021, 12:32

Basically I want a phone that I can SSH to and install packages to and modify all aspects of how it operates.

Also looking to remove all the unnecessary bloatware that is not only undesirable for the sake of battery consumption but also undesirable for other reasons.

Stability is important. Not so fussed about 3g / 4g or ability to make and recieve calls but wifi is important. It must be able to get to the internet via wifi.

Moem · 9 Mar 2021, 12:37

@roguerascal said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

Basically I want a phone that I can SSH to and install packages to and modify all aspects of how it operates.

You can certainly SSH into a UT phone. As for the other two, that largely depends on your skills.
You will not be able to install standard Ubuntu packages into a UT phone and have them work. But you will be able to get some of them to run in a Libertine container.

Manchee1017 · 9 Mar 2021, 13:58

@roguerascal said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

Stability is important. Not so fussed about 3g / 4g or ability to make and recieve calls but wifi is important. It must be able to get to the internet via wifi.

... are you sure a laptop or tablet won't suit your needs?

Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you're very ill-prepared coming here asking for device recommendations. You're vague as to what is important for your device (no reference for "long" battery, "CPU power", etc.), and you're vague as to what you want to do on it (yes, SSH and packages, but can you give a general reason for it?). As others have mentioned, UT is not as similar to Ubuntu Desktop as it comes across you're thinking it is.

But I'm not gonna come in here and not answer your question. In my understanding, you're looking for a pocket PC. Try looking at the F(x)Tec Pro1, the Planet Computer Cosmo Communicator, or the Planet Computer Astro Slide. Only you can be the judge if these devices are good for you. I can't speak for how good UT is on these specific devices. Like Moem said, check the devices page. They'll always be better over time.

A helpful tip: please understand the differences and limitations of UT vs Ubuntu Desktop. Maybe try buying and old and cheap but well supported device to try UT on first, like a Nexus 5 or OnePlus One.

If you find you need a desktop environment but want something that fits in your pocket, all I can do is point you to the GPD Pocket 2 or the One Netbook Onemix2s. I have never used these and can't say anything for them, I just love what they are. Otherwise, look for tablets or laptops. Hope you find something good for what you want.

Moem · 9 Mar 2021, 14:14

@manchee1017 said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

Maybe try buying and old and cheap but well supported device to try UT on first, like a Nexus 5 or OnePlus One.

I think this is excellent advice.

RogueRascal · 9 Mar 2021, 14:33

@manchee1017 I have no idea of how well this Linux distro works on a mobile device so I am doing some information gathering in order to take me to a place of better understanding so that I will mate the right phone with the right OS. You may say that I am ill prepared and maybe that is true. Maybe thats the very reason that I am here asking these questions.

Not really sure how much more specific I can be. I want full access to the OS via SSH and be able to install Linux packages. There are essentially two sets of criteria. The spec of the phone and the ability to do what I need in the OS. I have provided both.

You might be right about me needing a pocket PC. I hadn't considered that as an option. I will certainly look into that. Do any of the pocket PC's have the option to add a sim card?

cliffcoggin · 9 Mar 2021, 14:39

@roguerascal I think you are mistaken to regard UT as a Linux distro which will give you a computer with phone capability. Think of it more as a phone with some limited computer capability.

RogueRascal · 9 Mar 2021, 14:41

@cliffcoggin If I can get full access to the OS to run my own processes surely I can make it do whatever I want? If I can SSH to it I am in.

I could do the same with a jailbroken iphone but they have some funky OS under the bonnet of the iphone and I am not familiar with it.

dobey · 9 Mar 2021, 15:30

@carlod The version of Ubuntu that Ubuntu Touch is based on, is irrelevant in regards to my previous statement. Even with 20.04, it is still not the same as Ubuntu on a PC. Readonly rootfs, app confinement, etc…

dobey · 9 Mar 2021, 15:31

@roguerascal It sounds like what you really want is a Raspberry Pi or similar, rather than a phone.

dobey · 9 Mar 2021, 15:32

@roguerascal Your phone is yours, and you can do whatever you want of course, but it does not mean it is a supported usage of the OS on the phone. Ubuntu Touch is not a traditional Linux distribution, and phones are not traditional PC platforms.

Keneda · 9 Mar 2021, 15:50

@roguerascal
If i could complete what @dobey said i would add that of course you can do what you want outside the "ubports" box of use they gave it, but doing this, and having any problem related to, don't come later complain to ubports, or don't complain about uTouch itself.

If you want to make the file system r/w, it's possible and you then can try whatever you want on uTouch, but like said, it's outside the support territory from ubports.

Endorsed package use is through libertine.

AppLee · 9 Mar 2021, 15:51

Hi @roguerascal
As you have probably understood this topic is a bit sensitive because there is no simple answer.

You can SSH to UT.
You can install "Linux packages" but because this is a blurry notion it's probably not what you really want.

Ubuntu Touch as already said has a RO rootfs, so don't think on using apt-get because you'll break the system and you'll be in uncharted territory. System updates will break whatever changes you made to the root FS.

Also a phone is not a desktop computer and you cannot partition your memory as you want.

A proper way to install "Linux packages" is via Libertine which is a container and as such there are unexpected limitations (such as hardware access).

The first question you'll have to answer is do I need a computer or a phone. Ubuntu Touch is an OS for mobile phones.
If a Raspberry pi with a touch screen is what you're looking for then there are probably better OSes for that.

I hope this clarifies what UT is.
And I hope you'll find whatever is the best for you.

Keneda · 9 Mar 2021, 16:00

@applee
I'll add to this that if s.he needs a phone computer, s.he could see for a PC phone, like cosmo comunicator ^^
Thus s.he can install ubuntu AND ubuntu touch

Moem · 9 Mar 2021, 16:08

@keneda said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

if he needs a phone computer

Or 'she'

RogueRascal · 9 Mar 2021, 16:18

@dobey said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

@roguerascal It sounds like what you really want is a Raspberry Pi or similar, rather than a phone.

Nah it needs to have a screen.

Manchee1017 · 9 Mar 2021, 16:18

@keneda said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

I'll add to this that if he needs a phone computer, he could see for a PC phone, like cosmo comunicator ^^
Thus he can install ubuntu AND ubuntu touch

I'm not the most familiar with the Cosmo Communicator, but it doesn't seem like the company considers it a pocket PC in the way you're saying. Especially considering it's ARM architecture, I doubt standard Ubuntu Desktop can be put on it. I wouldn't put any bets on dual booting with a desktop-like environment.

@RogueRascal As for your need of a SIM card, what would the purpose be for you? Do you actually want to call and text like it's a cellphone, or is it more for having wireless access without a WiFi point? I think you will either need to get a device for your needs, but without cellular service because that's too big of a compromise. Or you get 2 different devices (a UT cell phone for cell phone things, and a laptop for your SSH and packages needs).

RogueRascal · 9 Mar 2021, 16:21

@applee said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

Hi @roguerascal
As you have probably understood this topic is a bit sensitive because there is no simple answer.

You can SSH to UT.
You can install "Linux packages" but because this is a blurry notion it's probably not what you really want.

Ubuntu Touch as already said has a RO rootfs, so don't think on using apt-get because you'll break the system and you'll be in uncharted territory. System updates will break whatever changes you made to the root FS.

Also a phone is not a desktop computer and you cannot partition your memory as you want.

A proper way to install "Linux packages" is via Libertine which is a container and as such there are unexpected limitations (such as hardware access).

The first question you'll have to answer is do I need a computer or a phone. Ubuntu Touch is an OS for mobile phones.
If a Raspberry pi with a touch screen is what you're looking for then there are probably better OSes for that.

I hope this clarifies what UT is.
And I hope you'll find whatever is the best for you.

The shortest answer is I need to run a desktop computer OS on phone hardware. I looked at micro laptops which could work but I really would like to have the phone GUI available as well.

RogueRascal · 9 Mar 2021, 16:24

@manchee1017 said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

@keneda said in Best phone for Linux Mobile OS:

I'll add to this that if he needs a phone computer, he could see for a PC phone, like cosmo comunicator ^^
Thus he can install ubuntu AND ubuntu touch

I'm not the most familiar with the Cosmo Communicator, but it doesn't seem like the company considers it a pocket PC in the way you're saying. Especially considering it's ARM architecture, I doubt standard Ubuntu Desktop can be put on it. I wouldn't put any bets on dual booting with a desktop-like environment.

@RogueRascal As for your need of a SIM card, what would the purpose be for you? Do you actually want to call and text like it's a cellphone, or is it more for having wireless access without a WiFi point? I think you will either need to get a device for your needs, but without cellular service because that's too big of a compromise. Or you get 2 different devices (a UT cell phone for cell phone things, and a laptop for your SSH and packages needs).

Cell phone capabilities are the least of my requirements. Really, if I have to make do without then that will probably be OK but preference would be to have the option.