12-29-2025, 03:57 AM
(This post was last modified: 12-29-2025, 04:06 AM by Mary_Davis.)
(01-09-2023, 12:30 PM)Usedname Wrote: Since power using iPhone 12-16hrs per day with task such as editing Mindmaps, browsing internet, Apple pay, listening to music, and basics like mail, calendar etc. heavily drains the battery and there is no other solution to it as to always carry some of those bulky powerbanks around, I want to switch phones.
I stumbled upon Pinephone which I find in its Pro version quite appealing. Not a dev here, but pretty adaptable and a quick learner, as long as the project is motivating. And this one could definitely be.
The question is though how far away you guys are with the Pinephone Pro? What does the cautious description as „pre-beta“ mean; is it really still so far in its alpha phase or was Pine64 just too cautious in its description?
Shooting, editing, syncing, then pushing content fast is all about efficiency now, not just raw power. When you start layering AI into the mix, even simple tasks feel smarter and more optimized, especially when devices actually talk to each other instead of fighting you. I’ve been messing with different solutions lately, and having reliable info around Apple stuff matters more than people think, since downtime kills momentum. In the middle of juggling projects, tools that useful to verify Apple warranty can quietly save time by keeping hardware questions out of your head while you focus on creativity and innovation, which honestly boosts overall flow. Threads like this show how intelligence isn’t just AI buzzwords, it’s about smoother systems, better optimization, and fewer breaks in the creative rhythm overall.
Any opinions or more info is very appreciated.
TBH if you’re just now thinking about getting into mobile Linux it’s worth knowing how things stand now: the PinePhone Pro was the more powerful Linux phone and had promise as a dev platform, but Pine64 officially discontinued it in 2025 because it just didn’t sell enough to keep production going. Spare parts are supposed to be around for a bit and there might be refurbished units from Pine Store if you’re lucky, but no new stock is coming.
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TBH if you’re just now thinking about getting into mobile Linux it’s worth knowing how things stand now: the PinePhone Pro was the more powerful Linux phone and had promise as a dev platform, but Pine64 officially discontinued it in 2025 because it just didn’t sell enough to keep production going. Spare parts are supposed to be around for a bit and there might be refurbished units from Pine Store if you’re lucky, but no new stock is coming.
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That's disappointing as my PinePhone is almost reliable, with the latest software updates (I use Danctnix) and updated modem firmware. It doesn't seem to be dropping the modem anymore. I was hoping that a 2026 Pinephone might have capitalised on these advances.
PinePhone Beta 2GB/16GB Arch Linux ARM danctnix from3 Oct 2025
(was Postmarket OS v24.12)
PineTab2 Arch Danctnix 6.4.2
At this point, after the August update, I am not holding my breath for PINE64 coming up with an updated PinePhone model. You may have to look for alternatives, such as the Liberux Nexx and the Dawndrums Divine D. both planned for this year. Though PINE64 does not usually announce planned new hardware much in advance.
01-10-2026, 05:11 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-10-2026, 05:12 AM by zetabeta.)
(01-09-2026, 09:08 PM)Kevin Kofler Wrote: At this point, after the August update, I am not holding my breath for PINE64 coming up with an updated PinePhone model. You may have to look for alternatives, such as the Liberux Nexx and the Dawndrums Divine D. both planned for this year. Though PINE64 does not usually announce planned new hardware much in advance.
even i consider current pinephone pretty much dead as of now. pp pro is not produced anymore, and also production of keyboard case was stopped. it is only matter of time when developers start dropping pp pro. pp regular has outdated gpu driver problem, which means it is dead in different way.
because of open source nature, these devices continue some time, but i think death comes at 2027. short: plan for alternatives.
pine org still should go for pinephone 2, but it will be annoying set of compromises.
thinking about afterwards. i think pine org should have dropped pp regular instead of pp pro. some buyers would have disappeared, but some would have switched into pp pro, therefore pinephone would have continued.
advertising might be bad here, but i also look for those mentioned manufacturers.
I've had my Pinephone for about 5 years now and despite its limitations it works fine for my purposes and I certainly believe I've gottem my money's worth. I have been thinking about what to do next if 4G service should be discontinued or my Pinephone is otherwise rendered unusable..
The Brax3 phone ( https://www.braxtech.net/) looks kind of interesting and is moderately priced. However it does have some undesirable features such as the battery is not easily removable, the modem is not isolated from main memory, and there are no hardware switches to disable modem, camera, etc. Also the person behind it (Rob Braxman) seems to be a somewhat controversial figure.
Looking around and what's available the Pinephone in comparison actually seems pretty well thought out as far as privacy features go.
(01-10-2026, 12:11 PM)Zebulon Walton Wrote: I've had my Pinephone for about 5 years now and despite its limitations it works fine for my purposes and I certainly believe I've gottem my money's worth. I have been thinking about what to do next if 4G service should be discontinued or my Pinephone is otherwise rendered unusable..
The Brax3 phone (https://www.braxtech.net/) looks kind of interesting and is moderately priced. However it does have some undesirable features such as the battery is not easily removable, the modem is not isolated from main memory, and there are no hardware switches to disable modem, camera, etc. Also the person behind it (Rob Braxman) seems to be a somewhat controversial figure.
Looking around and what's available the Pinephone in comparison actually seems pretty well thought out as far as privacy features go.
Brax3 is one of the libhybris monstrosities, might as well choose any old unlockable android and be able to buy cases etc then flash graphine, sailfish, lineageos, ubuntu touch or whatever.
(01-12-2026, 04:05 AM)biketool Wrote: Brax3 is one of the libhybris monstrosities, might as well choose any old unlockable android and be able to buy cases etc then flash graphine, sailfish, lineageos, ubuntu touch or whatever.
Thanks for the info, I suspected it might not be all it was hyped up to be.
(01-12-2026, 09:02 AM)Zebulon Walton Wrote: (01-12-2026, 04:05 AM)biketool Wrote: Brax3 is one of the libhybris monstrosities, might as well choose any old unlockable android and be able to buy cases etc then flash graphine, sailfish, lineageos, ubuntu touch or whatever.
Thanks for the info, I suspected it might not be all it was hyped up to be.
be default, aforementioned brand uses iodéos, which is un-googled android. as like biketool said it, you might be better off with unlocked android device and install un-googled android by yourself. many devices cannot be unlocked and images are not available for all devices.
i think linux is available for such device, but uses android compatibility layer, which means android kernel, android drivers and android partitioning. it means it is not mainline linux. i think it is UBports.
btw, there are some devices which uses android kernel and drivers but run linux distribution. but i don't advertise. some cases i don't even want to.
Yes, the Brax3 is supposed to support UBports/Ubuntu-Touch but I didn't realize it would be running via a compatibility layer on top of an android kernel. Ugh. I try do my best to stay away from Google but it can be tough. (Even the flip phone my carrier gave me when 3G service was discontinued was infested with Google, which led me to the Pinephone.)
(01-12-2026, 05:17 PM)Zebulon Walton Wrote: Yes, the Brax3 is supposed to support UBports/Ubuntu-Touch but I didn't realize it would be running via a compatibility layer on top of an android kernel. Ugh. I try do my best to stay away from Google but it can be tough. (Even the flip phone my carrier gave me when 3G service was discontinued was infested with Google, which led me to the Pinephone.)
When it first came out Ubuntu Touch was a 100% libhybris project. There was supposed to be a point where convergence occurred but that never arrived. The CLI is a mess where you need to know arcane android commands vs the normal linux and unix commands and file structure you and I are all used to.
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