(08-27-2020, 07:16 AM)robthebold Wrote:(08-25-2020, 01:30 PM)misha64 Wrote:AFAIK, you can't buy these devices with an alternative OS pre-installed. If a reputable source could provide that service, however, it would greatly expand the potential user base. Although the UB ports installer has gotten quite easy to use, (IMO) flashing the phone is a barrier to the average user.(08-25-2020, 09:19 AM)amosbatto Wrote: I created a table comparing the specs of 12 phones that can be bought with Linux preinstalled:
https://amosbbatto.wordpress.com/2020/08/25/comparing-linux-phones/
It is striking the difference between the amount of information that is publicly available for the PinePhone and Librem 5 compared to all the rest of the Linux phones that use Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek Helio processors, which require NDA's to view their datasheets and don't allow the publication of schematics, because they are based on copyrighted reference designs.
Great resource.
I think Ubuntu touch devices with good support (e.g. OnePlus 1, Nexus5, Fairphone 2) would fit well as well
(If anyone knows of a service like I described, I'd love to know so I could tell my less techy friends.)
Rather a cottage business, but I've seen this US youtuber advertising and selling used oneplus 1 and nexus 5 with ubuntu touch pre-installed:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYVU6rM...w/featured
(08-26-2020, 12:24 PM)klick Wrote: Thank you for time and effort put into this! It would be great if there were more options for Linux phones in the US that came on new(er) hardware and did not cost a premium. My UBports CE runs fairly well, other than not being able to make calls (T-Mobile/Mint Mobile) and very low sound. Volla looks promising so it will be interesting if someone can provide an update on if/how it works in the US once it is released.
It would also be nice if eFoundation or Fairphone could get a distributor here as well.
Indeed Volla and Sony phones with Sailfish OS look very interesting. Although disappointing Sailfish is partially closed source linux