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Comparison of open-source mobile phones

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The scope for this page is that used for list of open-source mobile phones.

Mobiles currently in production

[edit]
Model Hardware kill switches Modular smartphone System-on-a-chip (Soc) Baseband cellular modem Wi-Fi firmware Boot firmware Other proprietary firmware Hardware licensing Obsolescence slowdown Modifiability Security Certifications Other
Librem 5[1] 3: Cameras and the microphone, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and baseband processor. All three also shut off sensors (GPS, compass, accelerometer etc.).[2] The Wi-Fi+Bluetooth card,[3] and the Modem[4] are on M.2 slots. 2017 NXP arm64[2][5][6] On replaceable m.2 card. Proprietary firmware isolated from CPU with a USB bus (like a USB Wi-Fi dongle)[2] Originally, proprietary firmware isolated over USB, no downloadable/modifiable firmware;[7] subsequently, Purism paid Redpine Signals to create open-source Wi-Fi/Bluetooth firmware for the RedPine hardware.[8][9] proprietary DRAM init code loaded on separate CPU[2] for RYF cert compliance[10][11] none in /lib/firmware; some non-modifiable proprietary firmware in components.[8] schematics released under GPL 3.0+[8] User-replaceable (but custom-sized[8]) battery, lifetime updates[12] Display and frame fused. Phillips-head screws.[8] Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on replaceable m.2 cards (the former custom-made).[8] m.2 card slots. Purism has traditionally had more time-limited parts availability.[8] slot for an OpenPGP card, planned Librem key support[8] Tentatively recommended by Free Software Foundation (FSF).[13]

Operating system PureOS is endorsed by FSF.[14][15]

Seeking FSF "Respects Your Freedom" endorsement.[16][17]

Convergence; will run as desktop.[12] Headphone jack. Carrier-free OTT service available.[18]
PinePhone[19] 5: Modem & GNSS, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth, microphone, rear camera, front camera, audio jack[20] (DIP switches inside back cover[2]). No kill switch for other sensors.[8] 2015 Allwinner arm64 (Allwinner violates the GPL)[2] Quectel EG25-G. Ships with proprietary firmware isolated from CPU with a USB bus.[2][21] More secure, better-featured free replacement exists, but can't ship due to regulatory threats.[22] proprietary Wi-Fi/Bluetooth firmware,[21] in /lib/firmware.[8] Efforts to replace it are in beta, but may never be legal to ship,[citation needed] same as original PinePhone.[23] open-source boot software[2] proprietary schematics published[8] User-replaceable battery, 5-year production run. Phillips-head screws.[8] I2C pogo pins, back mods can be added. Cannot be upgraded beyond USB 2.0. Bootable from a microSD card. Good parts availability.[8] GPS and modem on same kill switch; neither can be used while the other is airgapped.[8] entire phone can be disassembled. Headphone jack. Convergence.[24][25]

Mobiles expected to be in production

[edit]
Model Expected release date Hardware kill switches Modular smartphone System-on-a-chip (Soc) Baseband cellular modem Wi-Fi firmware Boot firmware Other proprietary firmware Hardware licensing Obsolescence slowdown Modifiability Security Certifications Other
DragonBox Pyra Mobile Edition Unclear, possibly defunct None The PCB is separated in three parts: CPU board (CPU, RAM and storage), mainboard (ports, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) and the display board. schematics will be available to users[26][clarification needed]
Necunos NC 1 Unclear, possibly defunct None 2011 NXP i.MX 6 Quad and 4x Cortex-A9 MP, 32-bit[8] None[8] Proprietary blob for wi-fi driver (for regulatory reasons)[27] Blob without access to the main memory;[28] via SDIO[8] probably binary blobs on separate ROM, given cert aspirations[8] binary-blob proprietary firmware will not have memory access[8] strong focus; most sensors omitted for security. Seeking FSF endorsement.[28] 100 Mbit/s ethernet port[8]
Mudita Kompakt Q2 2025[29] Yes[30] MediaTek MT6761V/WBA (Helio A22)

2GHz quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with Imagination GE8300 graphics[31]

Liberux NEXX July 2026[32] Cellular modem, camera, microphone Separate storage, RAM and cellular mdem Rockchip RK7588S Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 Publish own schematics. Aim to minimise undocumented components.

Mobiles no longer in production

[edit]
Model Hardware kill switches System-on-a-chip (Soc) Baseband cellular modem Wi-Fi firmware Boot firmware Other proprietary firmware Hardware licensing Obsolescence Modifiability Security Certifications Other
PinePhone Pro[33] 5 (or 4, amalgamating cameras?): Modem & GNSS, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth, microphone, rear camera, front camera, audio jack[23] (DIP switches inside back cover[2][34][better source needed]). No kill switch for other sensors. Hexacore. 2016 Rockchip RK3399S and 2× A72 and 4× A53 CPU cores @ 1.5 GHz[23] Quectel EG25-G.[23] Ships with proprietary firmware for regulatory compliance[22] (isolated from CPU with a USB bus[2][21]). More secure, better-featured free replacement exists.[22] proprietary Wi-Fi/Bluetooth firmware,[21] in /lib/firmware.[8] Efforts to replace it are in beta, but may never be legal to ship,[citation needed] same as original PinePhone.[23] open-source boot software,[2] same as original PinePhone.[23] ? User-replaceable[35] Samsung J7 form-factor 3000mAh battery. Phillips-head screws.[23] I2C pogo pins, back mods can be added (all compatible with original PinePhone). USB 3.0. Bootable from a microSD card. Good parts availability.[8][23] GPS and modem on same kill switch; neither can be used while the other is airgapped.[23] entire phone can be disassembled. Headphone jack. Convergence (will run as a desktop if monitor and keyboard plugged in).[23]
Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition None
Meizu MX4 Ubuntu Edition None
BQ Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition None MediaTek Quad Core Cortex A7 1.3 GHz [36]
BQ Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition None
NEO1973
Neo FreeRunner

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Hardware Reference". Librem Hardware Reference wiki page.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Braam, Martijn (20 December 2019). "Yet Another Librem 5 and PinePhone comparison". TuxPhones.
  3. ^ "Librem 5 Phone – Birch". Wiki page about the Birch version of the Librem 5, on Puri.SM hardware reference wiki.
  4. ^ "Will the phone support 5G networks?". FAQ entry about 5G support.
  5. ^ "Intel's Management Engine". Purism.
  6. ^ Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. "Computer vendors start disabling Intel Management Engine". ZDNet.
  7. ^ Faerber, Nicole (4 September 2018). "Progress update from the Librem 5 hardware department". Purism.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Batto, Amos (20 August 2021). "Comparing specs of upcoming Linux phones". Purism community. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  9. ^ Faeber, Nicole (27 May 2019). "Librem 5 - WiFi Specs". Purism community.
  10. ^ Ainslie, Angus (19 June 2018). "Solving the first FSF RYF hurdle for the Librem 5". Purism.
  11. ^ Larabel, Michael. "Purism's Librem 5 To Rely On Secondary Processor For Binary Blobs - Phoronix". www.phoronix.com.
  12. ^ a b Amadeo, Ron (26 September 2019). "Purism's Librem 5 phone starts shipping—a fully open GNU/Linux phone". Ars Technica.
  13. ^ "Ethical Tech | Giving Guide". www.fsf.org. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  14. ^ Robertson, Donald (2017-12-21). "FSF adds PureOS to list of endorsed GNU/Linux distributions". www.fsf.org. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  15. ^ "Free GNU/Linux distributions". GNU.
  16. ^ Ainslie, Angus (2018-06-19). "Solving the first FSF RYF hurdle for the Librem 5". Purism. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  17. ^ Foster, Jeremiah C. (2019-09-19). "Librem 5 — Promise Delivery Chart". Purism community. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  18. ^ "Librem AweSIM". Purism. 7 October 2020.
  19. ^ "PinePhone board information, schematics and certifications". PinePhone board information, schematics and certifications section on the Pinephone wiki page on Pine64 wiki.
  20. ^ Leprince-Ringuet, Daphne. "This Linux smartphone is now shipping for $150". ZDNet. Retrieved 2020-01-20.
  21. ^ a b c d Erecinski, Lukasz (25 January 2020). "Setting the Record Straight: PinePhone Misconceptions". PINE64.
  22. ^ a b c Picugins, Arsenijs (16 December 2021). "PinePhone Malware Surprises Users, Raises Questions". Hackaday. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "PinePhone Pro". PINE64.
  24. ^ "Pine64 July Update: Biggest Update In Months!". New Convergence Package Announce. 15 July 2020.
  25. ^ "PinePhone Manjaro Community Edition". New PinePhone flavour announce with Convergence Package option. 31 August 2020.
  26. ^ "The Pyra". Official Pyra and Pandora Site.
  27. ^ "Long awaited NC_1 update". Necuno Solutions. 24 January 2020.
  28. ^ a b Batto, Amos (20 August 2021). "Comparing specs of upcoming Linux phones". Purism community.
  29. ^ Onawole, Habeeb (2024-10-31). "Mudita Kompakt E Ink Phone: A minimalist privacy-focused phone powered by Android". Notebookcheck. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  30. ^ "New Sneak Peek ALERT: Discover the Ultimate Privacy with Mudita Kompakt's Offline+ Feature!". Mudita Forum. 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  31. ^ Linder, Brad (2024-10-30). "Mudita Kompakt is a minimalist phone with an E Ink display and modern features like wireless charging and a fingerprint reader (crowdfunding)". Liliputing. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  32. ^ "Liberux NEXX is the Most Powerful Linux Smartphone and Desktop in One That You Probably Never Knew About". TechEBlog. 2025-07-01. Retrieved 2025-07-08.
  33. ^ "A Quick Community Update on PinePhone Pro and What's Next". pine64.org.
  34. ^ "October Update: Introducing the PinePhone Pro". PINE64. 15 October 2021.
  35. ^ Sneddon, Joey (22 October 2021) [15 October 2021]. "New PinePhone Pro Announced with 6-Core CPU". OMG! Ubuntu!.
  36. ^ "BQ Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition Caracteristicas". BQ (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2016-03-31.
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