Most of the common phones in the market today run on Android or iOS. Android is based on the Linux kernel and is thus open-source. But, running the pure version of Linux is quite a different experience. You get a lot of features like enhanced privacy and support for a few unique Linux-specific apps on your smartphone.
While new improvements are being implemented on a daily basis in the main Android kernel, it is still quite far away from being as powerful as the complete Linux kernel. So, in case you’re looking for a great option to try out as your first or new Linux phone, then we have listed all the best options out there.
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Top Linux Phones in 2021
Before getting started with a Linux phone, it is essential to research thoroughly on the apps you will be able to run, and whether there are any apps that you need to daily drive, but are not available on the mobile Linux platforms. Some of the phones listed here may only be appropriate for some early adopters. Without further ado, let’s get started with these.
PinePhone
PinePhone is a great affordable option that you can choose as your first phone. You get quite a few great specifications with this phone that can easily run your daily apps without any lags or slowdowns. These include a quad-core processor, with 2/3 GB of RAM. There is also a microSD card slot for convenience.
The display is crisp and outputs accurate colors. It has a resolution of 1440×720p and is an IPS display. There are also several hardware switches that can turn off the microphone, cameras, and networking. This ensures that you can protect your privacy. Manjaro is installed as the default Linux distro on this device.
Get it here: PinePhone
Fairphone
Fairphone is another great option that you can use as a Linux phone. It comes installed with the Fairphone OS, and you can also opt for the several aftermarket Linux distributions that are available for this phone. The specifications of this phone are quite decent. You get a 48 MP camera sensor, and a full-HD display.
Fairphone 3 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 processor and has 4 GB of RAM. The build quality of this phone is also quite good, and the parts are made from recycled plastic to ensure sustainability. Overall, the Fairphone is a great alternative to mainstream phones and can offer most of the daily functionalities that you may need from it.
Get it here: Fairphone 3
Librem 5
Librem 5 is the first Linux smartphone released by Purism. This company has previously released several different Linux-powered laptops. Librem 5 is primarily focused on privacy, and comes preinstalled with PureOS. The performance of this phone is also quite decent and works on the NXP i.MX8M Quad Core processor.
It supports all the basic features you would want from a smartphone. Also, the battery comes at 4500 mAh capacity. The cameras are also quite good, with a 13 MP rear camera, and an 8 MP front camera. You also get enhanced security features like independent hardware switches to control Bluetooth and WiFi.
Get it here: Librem 5
Pro1 X
This is one of the upcoming Linux phones that is secure and simple to use. This phone was designed in partnership with XDA and features Ubuntu touch or Lineage OS out of the box. The specifications are top-notch and this phone comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 with either 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM.
You also get a 3200 mAh battery, with a 5.99 inch AMOLED Full HD display. The internal storage can be chosen from either the 128 GB or the 256 GB variant. This phone also supports dual sim and HDMI, along with a type C USB port. There is also fast charging included with this phone, and it can charge up to 50% in just 36 minutes.
Get it here: Pro1 X
Volla Phone
The Volla Phone is a new entry into the Linux smartphone market. With the features included in this phone, it is quite easy to shift from traditional smartphones. The specifications included with this phone are quite good and can handle most daily tasks with ease. You also get a wireless charging feature with this phone, which is missing from most other devices on this list.
Voila, Phone was released only recently and has since gained rapid popularity. The 64 GB internal storage can be expanded up to 256 GB with the microSD card slot extension. Also, the phone just comes in at 190g of weight, which makes it a great choice in the current Linux market. This brand is aimed at customer privacy, and you can take your security into your own hands,
Get it here: Volla Phone
Cosmo Communicator
This is one of the latest and most reliable Linux phones that you can try out. One of the unique features of this phone is the physical keyboard that it comes with. The features it comes with are some of the best in the category of Linux smartphones, There are also various features that you can use to enhance your smartphone experience.
The camera included with this phone is quite capable, and it comes with a 24 MP rear module, and a 5 MP front-facing camera. The display dimensions come in at 5.99 inches, with a full HD screen. This phone has many similarities to a PDA and can run desktop Linux distros. It also comes with a dual USB type C port system for more convenience.
Get it here: Cosmo Communicator
Conclusion
This concludes the list of the most feature-rich and secure Linux phones currently trending in the market. From the various options listed here, you can choose the one that suits your needs the best. The type of Linux phone that you’re planing or running depends on your use cases, and the budget you’re aiming for. Overall, Linux phones can be a worthy alternative to the currently saturated Android and iOS smartphones.
