Video summary

I Bought a Linux Phone in 2026

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

Summary of the video (Ubuntu Linux on a Fairphone 4 in 2026)

The creator (Sam Tucker) experiments with running Ubuntu Touch (Ubuntu OS) on a Fairphone 4, using the phone as an example of moving away from Android/iOS. They discuss how this setup can be done on a Fairphone (possibly pre-installed by a previous owner), then walk through booting, UI behavior, app support, and basic hardware functionality.

Key technological/product features and findings

Ubuntu Touch on Fairphone 4

  • The boot process includes a warning about booting into Linux instead of Android.
  • On first boot, the UI includes onboarding steps such as:
    • Preferred name
    • Lock screen
    • Navigation via edge swipes

User interface & navigation

  • Notifications/quick settings: swipe from the top edge
  • App drawer: swipe from the left edge
  • Switching apps: swipe from the right edge
  • Supports:
    • Sideways mode
    • A 3D carousel for app browsing
  • Quirk: returning to a “main screen” is difficult; they seem to need to exit/close apps and instead rely on gestures (pinch / five-finger pinch).

Updates behavior

  • Ubuntu Touch presence is confirmed.
  • Updates begin installing automatically without prompting.

Hardware checks

  • Camera works for recording video, including selfie recording.
  • The creator notes the phone appears to have two rear cameras, but Linux deletes/disables one, suggesting incomplete camera hardware support.
  • USB-C / design observations: mentions removable parts and battery accessibility during teardown.
  • SIM installation/pairing:
    • A “SIM transplant” is performed
    • After a reboot/pairing step, the phone successfully places a call

Calling & contacts

  • Unlocking requires a math-based calculator step (quirky security/lock behavior).
  • Contacts can be imported via VCF (vCard) files.
  • A phone call test is successful; they humorously frame it as “better than BlackBerry.”

Apps, app store, and Android compatibility approach

Ubuntu Touch app ecosystem

  • The Open Store is demonstrated with niche Linux-oriented apps (e.g., a chess clock).
  • Some app behavior/reviews are discussed, including an example app that “promises” but may have issues (bug/crash behavior mentioned).

Android app support via Waydroid

  • Android apps are stated to be runnable using Waydroid.
  • Shown workflow:
    • Install Waydroid
    • A loading screen appears each time before Android apps run
  • Demonstrated success:
    • WhatsApp runs inside the Android container environment
    • Camera works in this setup as well
    • Voice/video calling was tested; video quality is described as slow

External display / “desktop mode”

  • They connect the phone to a monitor and use it like a desktop, including:
    • Trackpad-like input
    • Typing via a physical keyboard
  • They compare the result to Samsung DeX, claiming the Linux setup feels more “DeX-like.”

Terminal/Linux power-user angle (setup and risks)

  • The creator emphasizes Linux “realness” by opening the terminal and describing permission/authentication requirements.
  • They demonstrate basic shell interaction, including sudo-style escalation and an authentication required prompt.
  • Humor and caution:
    • Accidental UI interactions cause fear they might “break” things.
    • Advanced usage is treated as necessary but potentially risky.

Overall message: this is “real Linux,” so mistakes can be scary.

Practical conclusion from the creator

  • Overall verdict: running Ubuntu Touch on a phone is described as surprisingly easy for basic tasks.
  • The device is suggested to be most usable for:
    • Calls
    • Web
  • The experience is framed as a “Linux phone” alternative worth considering, but not fully equivalent to Android/iOS—unless you rely on Waydroid to bridge Android apps.

Main speakers/sources

  • Sam Tucker (main creator/host)
  • Kitai (AI/assistant character used throughout the demo)
  • Boot.dev (video sponsor; used for Linux coding/learning in the middle of the video)

Original video