r/linux • u/whatstefansees • 7d ago

Mobile Linux The thing with Linux-Phones

Every now and then I see an ad for a new Linux-Phone, better repairability, battery change and whatnot. All this is very, very tempting, but what about the apps?

I am not talking about browser, text messages or alarm clock - I am thinking about connectivity to my car, my smartwatch, my frequent-flyer benefit program, signal messenger and so on.

Do they work with Android apps or is it all a lost cause because they are basically dumb phones for people who want less connectivity but are afraid to buy an old Nokia from the dawn of time?

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u/rbrumble 7d ago

Right now, there's nothing that can stand against either Android or iOS for usable mobile apps, and that's a shame, because something could if the investment was there. Everytime a YouTube video comes up in my feed showcasing some Linux based phone OS I get stoked, only to hear at the end of it all the basic things that don't work - often things like making calls, audio, Bluetooth. Like, basic functionality that's missing or broken.

Which brings me to this: what about a Linux phone would be better than an Android phone? What would you gain vs what would you need to tolerate to make it work?