Phone recommendations
I'm looking for a recommendation for a phone, preferably a cheap used phone since I'm not really looking to break the bank and drive a Linux phone as my main until I can do so confidently without major disruption for work purposes. So SMS and phone calls are a must.
Things I'd like to have:
- 5G radio in case I use it long enough to where LTE towers get rolled further back before upgrading
- External monitor capable for an android auto replacement
- I really don't care which distro I use, but one with a large app repo would be nice.
- A Signal chat client
- VoLTE supported would be nice, but not necessary
6 replies
A second hand Fairphone 4 with Ubuntu Touch could be an option. Might be hard to find if you're in the US.
Pixel devices are often well supported, but getting a second hand device with a non-replacable battery is a bit annoying.
Canada has a tricky time importing fairphones but I suppose it’s easier for Quebec since they’re closer to Europe.
Any recommendations of what to buy in Canada for a friendly phone. FOSS, Graphene, Linux, or ethical? I'm not sure what to do, or if I should wait until we have a Canadian supplier or distributor.
You could go for the used phones with unlocked bootloaders to enter the experimental linux phone world. Graphene is the most user-friendly to have installed. With Ubuntu Touch and Postmarket OS after.
You will need to check the available models on these lists:
https://grapheneos.org/releases#devices
https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/
https://wiki.postmarketos.org/wiki/Devices
Fairphone! If only there was a fundraiser to buy them in bulk so we can all get them at a decent enough shipping price.
That would be nice to cut down on the importing costs.