3 Linux phones you can actually buy and use right now (and why you probably shouldn't)

Published Sep 1, 2026, 3:09 PM EDT Jon is a seasoned journalist who has written definitive coverage of consumer tech at publications like Engadget, Android Authority, and BetaKit. He's an expert on making tech accessible ranging from mobile and PCs to emerging platforms like wearables. When he's not writing, he's going on adventures with ihis family and is an avid photographer. Linux phones have come a long way from the days when that meant installing rough software and hoping for the best. You can now get polished devices that largely work as well as their Android and iPhone counterparts, just with truly open-source code. But where do you start? There are a few solid recommendations if you're determined to run Linux on a phone, including a recognizable brand. With that said, there are still pitfalls that might make you turn to Android (yes, technically based on Linux) if you're uncomfortable with fixing issues yourself. Fairphone 5 Great Linux support, but not so US-friendly The Fairphone 5 is one of the safest picks for a Linux phone. You can flash it to run Canonical's Ubuntu Touch distro very well, with limited voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) one of its few quirks. It's reasonably quick with its Qualcomm Dragonwing processor, offers 128GB of expandable storage, packs 50-megapixel cameras, and is highly repairable. Its ethical construction is in sync with Linux's philosophy, so you can feel better about the workers and ecological impact in addition to the OS. The catch? It's not officially available in the U.S. While the unlocked model should run on T-Mobile's network, you're not guaranteed compatibility with every frequency or feature. You also won't get after-sale help if something breaks, although you can likely source the parts for do-it-yourself repairs. Just be ready to wait for the Fairphone Gen 6+ if you want more robust support, as that's the company's first phone to officially reach American shores. Purism Librem 5 Pure, but not cutting-edge If you want a phone built for Linux, Purism's Librem 5 should be on your short list. PureOS is the definition of free open-source software (FOSS), right down to the drivers. Moreover, it's effectively a desktop platform with enough modifications to run on a handset. If you run Firefox, for instance, you're using the desktop browser rather than a cut-down mobile version. You can run utilities that simply wouldn't be an option with Android or iOS. There are even physical kill switches to disconnect wireless connections and recording components, so you never have to wonder if data is leaking behind your back. However, you'll pay steep prices for that software freedom. In addition to the limited U.S. network compatibility (T-Mobile is once again your pick), it costs $799 for hardware that even the most affordable Android phones can outrun: a nearly decade-old processor, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. The Librem 5 is more for security mavens and FOSS advocates than everyday users who just want to ditch Apple or Google. Volla Phone Quintus More choice, for a price Volla Phone Quintus.Credit: Volla The Volla Phone Quintus represents one of the few mobile devices with a real choice in software. You can go with its Android-based Volla OS if you want to play it safe with maximum app compatibility, or you can go with Ubuntu Touch. While the fingerprint reader, LTE calling, and dual-SIM support have issues in Linux, you'll get reasonably modern hardware (including a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chip and 256GB of storage) with little to no setup. However, you're also taking a big chance. The Quintus costs $832, for a start. And like the Fairphone, it's an imported device without stateside support. You'll have to be comfortable leaning on the community (and your own Linux tinkering skills) for help, and there won't be a strong supply of aftermarket parts. It's mainly alluring as a refined device that can come with Linux out of the box. What about AOSP? Open source training wheels There is an alternative if you like the idea of an open-source phone but aren't ready to dabble in full Linux: unofficial firmware based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), Google's stripped-down OS without proprietary apps like Gmail and Google Maps.. Custom ROMs like /e/OS and GrapheneOS have more open-source components and are typically more privacy-oriented than regular Android releases. You won't always escape proprietary code, but the experience is typically "de-Googled" if you're worried about Big Tech data collection or an abundance of AI. You can even download Play Store apps on /e/OS without a Google account. You can buy phones with this software preinstalled, such as the Murena Fairphone Gen 6, so you don't need to flash the device yourself. And even if you do, the phones that support these AOSP variants are typically from mainstream brands like Google and (soon) Motorola. You'll get fully up-to-date hardware, not to mention an option to revert to plain Android. Think of AOSP as a bridge. You can edge closer to straightforward Linux without jumping in completely. And when you're ready, there are already some devices waiting for you.