Smartphones
Last updated
Last updated
The key decision you need to make here is which operating system you want to run. There are just 3 choices currently:
iOS : This is completely closed and you should give up any hopes of a repair-friendly iPhone until Apple is forced by Right To Repair regulations (like they were in the EU).
Android : While Google does maintain the , this is not directly usable by most users. Instead you should look for devices supported by , or . First thing to check here is whether your device supports unlocking of the bootloader at the . The current set of decent devices are:
(does not ship to India)
. They supportive of self-repair, even for other models like Crest 5G. But they do not allow bootloader unlocking.
Check out by .
Failing all, a pragmatic option might be to get Google Pixel phone which supports LineageOS and GrapheneOS well.
Custom Android Verified Boot keys is a feature which allows you to run a custom OS with a locked bootloader. It's rare to see a device which supports custom AVB keys, but some devices can be found .
Sony has an Open Devices program supporting AOSP for its xperia smartphones, but Sony and are unlikely to return.
Linux : Though Android too is based on Linux, some people prefer to avoid Android ecosystem altogether. The OS comes in many variants like Debian, Ubuntu Touch or . Check out the following devices:
(coming to Kickstarter in Q1 2025) - a handheld Linux computer in a smartphone-style form factor with several extensible attachments via GPIO