Linux smartphones are not fading away; in fact, they are gradually getting more accessible while they try to cater to customers at different price points. But there's a long way to go before we can call these mainstream.
Nex Computer, a brand known for its NexDock product family that turns Android smartphones into a laptop workstation, is finally making good on its NexPhone concept, delivering a smartphone that runs Android 16, launches Debian, and dual-boots into Windows 11.
NexPhone: The 2012 Concept That Refused to Die
Fourteen years after the first concept video was teased, the NexPhone is here, powered by a Qualcomm QCM6490, which, the keen-eyed among you will remember from the now-discontinued Fairphone 5.
By 2026 standards, it's dated hardware, but Nex Computer doesn't seem to be overselling it, as they expect the NexPhone to be a secondary or backup phone, not a flagship contender.
The phone includes an Adreno 643 GPU, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 512GB via a microSD card.
In terms of software, the NexPhone boots into NexOS, a bloatware-free and minimal Android 16 system, with Debian running as an app with GPU acceleration, and Windows 11 being the dual-boot option that requires a restart to access.
And, before I forget, you can plug the NexPhone into a USB-C or HDMI display, add a keyboard and mouse to transform it into a desktop workstation.
As for what other specs the NexPhone packs, here's a rundown for you:
- Camera: 1x 64MP wide Sony IMX787 and 1x 13MP ultrawide Samsung S5K3L6XX at the rear, and a 10MP Samsung S5K3J1SX on the front.
- Display: 6.58-inch LCD 1080 × 2403 capable of running between 60-120 Hz.
- Connectivity: Dual-sim 5G/4G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 LE, NFC, and GPS.
- Ports: 1x USB-C 3.1, which supports connecting to USB-C monitors, with the included 5-port USB-C hub extending functionality for attaching USB peripherals.
- Durability: MIL-STD-810H, IP68, and IP69K.
- Weight: 256 g (~9.0 oz)
You will also find a comprehensive suite of sensors that includes a fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor.
Launching the device, Emre Kosmaz, the Founder and CEO of Nex Computer, had a few words to convey:
NexPhone is the device I’ve wanted to carry for 14 years: a phone that becomes your Linux machine, your Windows PC, and your everyday Android device—without compromise on the idea. Reserving NexPhone is the strongest signal you can send that phone-as-PC should be the next standard.
Reserve Yours
The NexPhone is priced at $549. Interested buyers can reserve their unit with a $199 refundable deposit to secure priority access and early-bird pricing.
The remaining $350, plus shipping and applicable taxes, will be due at shipment. And, before you go to book yours, NexPhone is slated for a Q3 2026 release (July-September) with worldwide availability, so expect some months of anxious waiting.
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Sourav Rudra
