The definition of online privacy has been expanded to include many more elements beyond the basic definition. With today’s advanced Internet technology, having “privacy” is no longer simple. In fact, it is about being able to have much more control over the information that others can access about you and your activities.
Many people are concerned about the security of their phones. While it may seem like common sense, many individuals do not realize how easy it can be for a person to take advantage of technology when they have the ability to secure their online privacy by using Linux-secure phones.
Best Linux Secure Phones for Privacy
Get ready for the journey, and fasten your seatbelt. We are going to take you through the best Linux secure phones for privacy. We will also talk about their specs and features. Hopefully, you will get enough information about those smartphones from here. So, let’s start.
1. Librem from Purism
OS: PureOS | Processor: NXP i.MX8M Quad | GPU: Vivante GC7000Lite GPU | RAM: 3GB | Battery: 4,500 mAh (removable) | Display: 5.7 inch, 1440 x 720 pixel, IPS LCD | Camera: Rear – 13 MP, Front – 8 MP | Storage: Internal – 32GB eMMC, External – microSD (up to 2TB) | Weight: 263g
+ Smart and SD card reader option.
+ You can use nano sim.
+ It supports USB type C and wireless charging.
– Havier than other smartphones.
– The speaker is not powerful.
– Users have found overheating problems.
So, on our hotlist, Librem 5 is on the top. It is Purism’s first Linux-based smartphone. Purism is mainly renowned for its Linux-based laptops. In 2017, they announced the launch of their first Linux-based smartphone. In 2019, they launched it in the international market, and still, it is like a hot cake. Purism ensured that Librem 5 would make your privacy more secure.
Librem 5 comes with PureOS. Purism used NXP i.MX8M Quad processor, which is a very powerful and speedy processor along with Vivante GC7000Lite GPU. Besides, it supports GPS, dual-band Wifi, Bluetooth, and a 4G network. Like Android devices, Librem 5 comes with many sensors.
For instance, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity, etc. It gets power from a 4500 mAh battery, which can be removed if necessary. Additionally, you’ll get a 13 MP rear camera along with an 8 MP front camera, which is quite good.
Now let’s check its security facilities. There are independent modem cards along with independent Wifi and Bluetooth modules. It has three physical buttons to disconnect them properly. Two are for the mentioned modules, and one is for deactivating call and microphone features. These things will make your presence completely invisible. In fact, it has a custom version of Mozilla Firefox, where DuckDuckGo is set as a default search engine.
2. Fairphone
OS: Fairphone OS | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 | GPU: Qualcomm Adreno 506 650MHz GPU | RAM: 4GB | Battery: 3,040 mAH (removable) | Display: 5.65 inch, Full HD+ (2160 x 1080), IPS LCD | Camera: Rear – 12 MP, Front – 8 MP | Storage: Internal – 64GB, External – microSD (up to 400GB) | Weight: 189g
+ It has a replaceable battery.
+ Very lightweight in the aspect of others.
+ You can install any OS in Fairphone 3.
– Although it is not water-resistant, it comes with a plastic body.
– Both Speaker and fingerprint sensors are not well-positioned.
Fariphone 3 is one of the most secure Linux phones. It is a trendy handset amongst its peers. Besides, it has received many good reviews from users who have used the device and impressed them with its performance. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best Linux-based smartphones.
Fairphone 3 runs a customized Android 9 version, which they call Fairphone OS. Importantly, it has a long, durable battery that can run efficiently for a single day. It has a 5.65-inch display, which is Full HD+. Besides, you will get a fingerprint sensor on the top of the backside. Along with them, you can easily capture or record your moments in 4K resolution with a 12 MP rear camera.
3. PinePhone
OS: Postmarket OS | Processor: Allwinner A64 | GPU: Mali-400 MP2 GPU | RAM: 2GB/3GB LPDDR3 | Battery: 3,000 mAh (removable) | Display: 5.95 inch, 1440 x 720 pixel, IPS LCD | Camera: Rear – 5 MP, Front – 2 MP | Storage: Internal – 16GB/32GB eMMC, External – microSD (up to 2TB) | Weight: 185g
+ Very lightweight smartphone.
+ Type C port for charging.
+ It has a 3.55 mm audio jack port.
– Camera spec is relatively low.
– RAM and processor are not enough for some OS.
PinePhone is an affordable Linux-based smartphone designed by the Canadian company Pine 64. It is meant to give the user full control over the mobile device. Though it comes with Postmarket OS by default, you can easily find any kind of OS compatible with this. Though the spec is quite low compared to 2021, their main focus is on users’ privacy.
Pinephone has an Allwinner A64 processor, which is a quad-core processor. It comes in two variations: 2GB/16GB version and 3GB/32GB version. Besides, it comes with a big 5.95-inch display. Due to security concerns, it has a killswitch similar to Librem 5 to stop all your connectivity, including the camera and microphone. Therefore, you won’t need to worry about your privacy.
4. Pro1 X
OS: Lineage OS, Ubuntu Touch | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 | GPU: Adreno 540 GPU | RAM: 6GB/8GB LPDDR4X | Battery: 3,200 mAh | Display: 5.99 inch, 2160 x 1080 pixel, Amoled Display | Camera: Rear – 12 MP, Front – * MP | Storage: Internal – 128GB/256GB, External – microSD (up to 2TB) | Weight: 243g
+ HDMI support and USB type C port.
+ You can use dual nano sim.
+ Side-mounted fingerprint and RGB notification light.
– Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection.
– A little bit weighty is inconvenient.
Pro1 X is an upcoming Linux secure phone. In a partnership with XDA, F(x) tec designed it. They will start shipment for the first batch of pre-orders in March 2021. Besides, you’ll get Android-based Lineage OS or Linux-based Ubuntu Touch out of the box. Additionally, it comes with very high specifications, which already make it fancier. Pro1 X already creates hype in the market.
Pro1 X comes with one of the most powerful multitasking processors. Because Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 is an octa-core processor based on 10nm technology. As a result, with a 6GB ram, you will get better optimization and smooth performance. Besides, it supports first charging, capable of charging 50% of the battery in only 36 minutes. Surprisingly, you will get a slide-out keyboard, which will make you more productive.
5. Volla Phone
OS: Volla OS | Processor: MediaTek Helio P23 | GPU: Mali-G71 MP2 GPU | RAM: 4GB | Battery: 4,700 mAh | Display: 6.3 inch | Camera: Rear – 16MP + 2MP, Front – 16 MP | Storage: Internal – 64GB, External – microSD (up to 256GB) | Weight: 190g
+ Good specifications in the Camera and Battery section.
+ Springboard for both suggestions and task management.
+ Compatible with the wireless charging system.
– No related info about screen protection.
– Doesn’t support first charging.
Volla phone is another latest Linux-based smartphone in the market. It is a crowdfunded smartphone. They launched the project in February 2020, and in October 2020, they delivered their pre-orders to the fundraisers. At present, they are taking regular orders online, and there is a high demand for Volla in the market. Their motto is “Free your mind. Protect your privacy.”
Volla phone comes with the latest technologies. They used a Mediatek Helio P23 processor and synced it with 4GB RAM. Besides, there are two pre-installed OS, an Android Volla OS and Linux Ubuntu Touch. You can choose any option because there is no need for a Google account to run services. For security purposes, it comes with a pre-installed VPN service and solution.
6. Cosmo Communicator
OS: Sailfish, Linux Debian and Linux Kali | Processor: MediaTek Helio P70 | GPU: Mali-G72 MP3 GPU | RAM: 6GB | Battery: 4,220 mAh | Display: Internal – 5.99 inch, FHD+ (2160×1080), External – 1.91 inch, Amoled | Camera: Rear – 24 MP, Front – 5 MP | Storage: Internal – 128GB, External – microSD supported | Weight: 326g
+ It supports dual boot.
+ You can use Desktop Linux in it.
+ Very unique design.
– Difficult to use in portrait mode.
– Doesn’t support wireless charging.
Cosmo Communicator is one of the most convenient Linux secure phones with a physical keyboard. It is the second Planet Computers smartphone that came after the huge success of the Gemini PDA. But you’ll surely be confused if you watch it for the first time because it is too bulky and lightweight for a smartphone. However, it comes with most of the modern technologies.
Cosmo Communicator supports both Android and Linux-based OS. They have used both metal and plastic to design the body. Besides, you will get two USB-type C ports. Cosmo Communicator contains Mediatek Helio P70, which is an octa-core processor. With the FHD+ supported display, you can enjoy any type of video without issue. Though the camera section is quite high but the front camera is not up to the mark.
7. Finney Blockchain Smartphone
OS: Android 8.1, SIRIN OS 3.01 | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 | GPU: Adreno 630 GPU | RAM: 6GB | Battery: 3,280 mAh | Display: 6 inch, Resolution (1080×2160), LTPS LCD | Camera: Rear – 12 MP, Front – 8 MP | Storage: Internal – 128GB, External – microSD (up to 2TB) | Weight: 209g
+ Very high security.
+ It has a fingerprint reader.
+ Supports the latest connectivity protocols.
– Battery life is average.
– Doesn’t support the 5G network.
Finney is a unique Linux-based phone mainly built for secured cryptocurrency transactions by Sirin Labs. Sirin Labs is a renowned service provider for smartphone security. So, they have tried to make something unique that is suitable for both regular users and cryptocurrency users. Then, they launched Sirin Lab in 2019, which is still counted as one of the best smartphones for privacy.
Finny used both Android and Sirin OS to make the smartphone more secure. You will get the options for encrypted P2P calls, emails, and SMS. Besides, there is a cold storage screen that will make your transaction connection more secure. The design is based on the state of the art. So basically, you’re getting a combination of military-grade security in your smartphone.
8. Necunos NC_1
OS: Aera OS | Processor: ARM® Cortex®-A9 NXP i.MX6 | GPU: Vivante (Etnaviv with hardware acceleration) | RAM: 1GB | Battery: 3500 mAh | Display: 5.0 inch| Camera: Rear – 5 MP | Storage: Internal – 8GB
+ Six operating systems in one.
+ Suitable for secondary use.
+ It has a 3.55 mm audio port.
– Configuration is too low.
– Doesn’t support dual-band Wifi.
Necunos NC_1 is another convenient Linux secure phone. Necunos Mobile already shipped its first limited batch in 2019. Now, they are producing the second batch. Basically, it has two versions—Necunos NC_1 for the community and Necunos NE_1 for enterprises, along with more security options.
Necunos NC_1 comes with a customized operating system called Aera OS. It is an open-sourced operating system, and there is no hidden bloatware. Besides, they have used Ciphra in level 1 for end-to-end encrypted communication. But it supports only the cellular network. Therefore, it doesn’t have the option to use a 3G or 4G network.
Finally, Insights!
Basically, these are the best Linux secure phones available in the market nowadays. However, many of them may not be available in all areas.
We have discussed their most relatable details. Our suggestion will be to go for your preferred one. For example, if you want something modern, you can easily try Pro1 X or Volla phone. But if you want a suitable smartphone as your secondary mobile, Librem 5 or Pinephone will be the best. Besides, Cosmo Communicator is the perfect one if you want an all-in-one smartphone.
That is everything from us. But remember, the Linux-based smartphone industry is growing day by day. So, this list can be tweaked at any time. I hope you have enjoyed this article. If you found it interesting, please share it with others. And don’t forget to leave your opinion in the comment section.
