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We Have Been Promised a New Linux Smartphone Which is Not Based on Android (news.itsfoss.com)

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We Have Been Promised a New Linux Smartphone Which is Not Based on Android

Based in Madrid, Liberux is gaining attention with its Linux smartphones that run on LiberuxOS — a mostly open source operating system built from scratch, completely independent of Android and iOS. Their NEXX line of smartphones distinguishes itself as a Linux phone capable of running standard Linux distributions right out of the box.

Realizing that most people aren’t looking to spend a fortune on niche tech, Liberux recently announced that it was working on a more affordable version to make the NEXX accessible to a broader audience.

As far as I'm concerned, it's exciting to see organizations working to bring Linux phones into the mainstream.

Liberux NEXX: What Does it Offer?

Let’s start with the original model, which is impressive for what it is. It looks like a legit attempt at creating a daily-driver Linux phone that doesn’t feel like a development kit.

The Liberux NEXX features an octa-core Rockchip RK3588S processor (4×Cortex-A76 + 4×Cortex-A55, up to 2.4 GHz), 32 GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and a 6.34″ 2400×1080 OLED display.

It includes 512 GB of eMMC storage, which is expandable via microSD (up to 2 TB). Connectivity options include dual USB-C ports, 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Those are solid specs, and the price (~$1,485) shows it. 😲

Enter, The Budget-Friendly Alternative

We Have Been Promised a New Linux Smartphone Which is Not Based on Android

The Liberux NEXX Community edition serves as a more affordable alternative to the original model while retaining many of its core features.

It includes the same 6.34-inch OLED display, Rockchip RK3588S processor, 32MP rear and 13MP front cameras, dual USB-C ports, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a 5,300 mAh battery, and microSD support up to 2 TB. Both versions run LiberuxOS, a Debian-based Linux operating system.

While the flagship model comes with 32 GB RAM, 512 GB storage, and 5G, the new Community version offers 8 GB RAM, 128 GB storage, and 4G LTE connectivity. There’s also a mid-range option with 16 GB RAM.

🛒 Getting the Liberux NEXX Community

As with any crowdfunding campaign, delays or changes are expected. Currently available on Indiegogo, the Community model with 8 GB of RAM is priced at approximately $900, excluding shipping costs.

Liberux NEXX Community

Additional tiers such as First Backer and Golden Backer are also available, offering various perks. Shipments are expected to begin globally in July 2026, though availability may vary by country.

Via: Liliputing

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[–] PuddleOfKittens@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

The Pinephone already exists, and costs $200 instead of $900.

The problem with Linux phones isn't that they don't exist, it's that they're an obscure OS that doesn't have literally billions of dollars of development to make the thing a bulletproof daily driver like Android has received. See Drew Devault's post on the issue.

The specs might be better on this phone (I'd hope so given the cost), but the specs don't really matter if the thing's running the same software and is just as unstable as a result.

[–] nkat2112@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

Thank you for posting this link.

[–] Schmuppes 9 points 2 days ago

Realizing that most people aren’t looking to spend a fortune on niche tech, Liberux recently announced that it was working on a more affordable version to make the NEXX accessible to a broader audience.

Okay!

Currently available on Indiegogo, the Community model with 8 GB of RAM is priced at approximately $900, excluding shipping costs.

Okay...

[–] viking@infosec.pub 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

As much as I'd like to see a viable alternative to Android phones that isn't Apple, until we see a significant adoption rate of Linux phones, we'd need to have an OS capable of running Android apps natively. Else it's just a linux desktop station in pocket format.

[–] sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 7 points 2 days ago (1 children)

For mass adoption, sure. But honestly, since switching to GrapheneOS, I've forced myself to avoid most apps (to avoid running Google Play Services) and I've been able to do 99% of the things I need through the built-in browser. Most of the other apps I use could be replaced w/ FOSS alternatives that probably already have analogues in existing Linux phone distros.

What I need in order to switch is:

all day battery life
fully functional phone features in my area (US) - SMS, MMS, data, reliable calls, etc
decent audio (mic and speakers)
reliable software updates - basically, upstream drivers and whatnot so the community can maintain things

If they can nail that, I'll probably get this phone.

[–] PolarKraken@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago

Add in reliable Bluetooth to deal with my bad hearing and I'll get one too.

I am THROUGH with just licensing all my tech and not actually owning or controlling it - my phone is about my last significant piece of tech that's still that way.

[–] Jiggle_Physics@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

RK3588S ouch.

[–] drunkosaurus@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Enlighten us please, what's wrong with it?

[–] Jiggle_Physics@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

That processor doesn't perform well in comparison to chips in phones of similar cost. This phone is a few hundred more expensive than the big brands' flagship phones. I understand this is specialized, and I expected it to be several hundred more based on this, but right now their flagship offering is 1500 dollars. I know it has a really nice amount of memory, but for that price, they couldn't swing a snapdragon? Even if they didn't use something like the 8 elite it would still be better than this chip, from what appears to be a significant amount. The "budget" option is 900 dollars, and it doesn't even have a 5G chip. It is just frustrating that the phone does so many things right, but seems to have really cheaped out on CPU, in a 1500 dollar phone. If they couldn't budget their phone's price for mid tier qualcom chips, and 5G, it really reduces the amount of people who will buy it, even tech geeks.

Though, if graphene gets locked out of the phone market, this may be the only option.

[–] nkat2112@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Though, if graphene gets locked out of the phone market, this may be the only option.

Pardon me, but can you please explain more concerning grapheneos possibly getting locked out of the phone market? Is this related to a new Android version I recently read somewhere about that the grapheneos community is complaining about? I think making it hard to upgrade to it because of reverse engineering that's needed? (I may be totally wrong, I don't mean to spread misinformation.)

[–] Jiggle_Physics@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

Yes, they are going to now withhold the code repositories for their phone's hardware from that point on.