Linux devices for smartphones (Ubuntu Touch and beyond)
Linux devices for smartphones (Ubuntu Touch and beyond)
A bit of background, I switched from Windows to Linux and then to Mac. When Microsoft had an eco-system (phone, watch, PC and Xbox) I preferred their set up as even though it at times was half baked, it offered many of the pros of the Apple eco-system at a fraction of the cost. However I switched over to Linux when Microsoft began killing off their eco-system and putting ads into their operating systems. While on Linux and Android, there was a lot to love, but I missed that uniformity across devices and unless I wanted to switch to a Chromebook, Apple was my only choice. So I switched over to Apple, I LOVE Apple's eco-system much in the same way I loved Microsoft's eco-system when its as available. However Apple has a couple MAJOR disadvantages that I don't appreciate very much. Particularly that lack of upgradability and repairability in their devices being my primary and almost only issue with their hardware. I'm surprised Linux phones haven't really taken off (yes I know there are many similarities between Android and Linux, but its been so googlefied that its hard to consider it a genuine open source/non-aligned operating system, at least the ones available in the mainstream market which could be the issue). What I would love more than anything is a Linux Operating System device eco-system. I want my PC, my phone, my watch and my TV all running a variant of the same version of Linux where they're all interconnected to one another. That way I get the eco-system convenience of Apple and the open source freedom of Linux. Other than Ubuntu Touch I haven't been able to find any other projects like this which is quite unfortunate. Perhaps one of you on the forum knows of something I don't? Would you switch completely to Linux if it had an official eco-system, do you know of a distro attempting this other than Ubuntu, or has Ubuntu Touch gotten a lot better?
I haven't discovered a great Linux phone yet, except for pinephone64 which I'm familiar with. Technically, Android is a Linux system, but on ARM processors you can modify it quite a bit—except for certain Google components. You could remove it entirely if you prefer. I haven't tried it before, but I've seen KDE Connect and there are apps for it. It seems to be possible to install it across most distributions. I've been really focused on computers lately and only realized I could tinker with phones. *Starting the installation of a custom ROM*
We had a brief opportunity when Canonical was developing Unity 8. They were collaborating with manufacturers and targeting Desktop, Mobile, and TV markets, similar to Android. At that stage, they were thinking about going public, which carried significant risk. As a result, this strategy was shelved to attract investors. This move effectively ended any realistic chances for Linux to challenge them in that space. Now the main issue is it’s too late to make a strong competitive push. Canonical’s Ubuntu has lost its consistent Ubuntu feel since 2017, and Unity 8 (Lomiri) relies on a tiny community. There are alternatives like Ubuntu Touch and PostmarketOS. The biggest challenges are that mobile Linux devices are often overpriced and struggle to match the affordability of cheap Android phones. When production runs are limited, they charge premium prices. To keep costs low, hardware quality is compromised. Because the market is so small, a high price tag is common. Some Android apps are adapted, but many become broken or non-functional Android versions that don’t work well with Linux and require compatibility layers that may not perform as expected. Porting to a Linux mobile device isn’t very appealing either, since support from most Android/IOS developers is lacking, and most Linux efforts focus on servers and workstations. The Linux mobile community remains relatively small and fragmented.
You can run KDE Connect even on Android, which is a good suggestion. My Pinephone has been completely ineffective for the last four years, and the Linux version on it is still slow. I searched for an Android phone from Iode Tech and used KDE Connect to mimic the Apple experience. Features like automatic clipboard sharing, notifications, and SMS syncing are among my top picks.
It appears to involve a unique interaction within the system. The compatibility depends on the operating system you're using, and whether it's more general-purpose or tailored for certain apps. It may feel a bit complex if it relies on specific software, but it seems promising overall.
KDE Connect is simply a KDE application. When using Plasma Desktop, it’s included by default. Personally, I prefer Bazzite and it’s available out of the box. You can also install it on your phone, pair the devices, and set the required permissions—everything works smoothly. It’s also available for Windows through the App Store.
It would face the same issues as the Linux Desktop. Few major companies offer apps or software since interest remains low, which makes it risky. Back then it was a worry now more than ever. It's a high-stakes decision that could fail in a market already led by Android and iOS. This is the optimal choice if you opt for KDE Plasma Desktop. I tend to purchase unlocked Google Pixel phones and use LineageOS with MicroG or GrapheneOS. Interestingly, Google appears quite open about unlocking their OEM devices.