Linux phones remain a niche in a market dominated by Android and iOS, yet for users seeking greater independence from major tech companies, several options are available. Here is one of them.
FuriLabs has opened pre-orders for its FLX1s Linux smartphone, priced at $550. As you would expect, the leading selling point here is the operating system. The device ships with FuriOS, a Debian-based operating system that supports multi-boot, Android app compatibility, and even virtualization through KVM.
The hardware is built around the MediaTek Dimensity 900 chip with Mali-G68 graphics, paired with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of UFS storage. For those needing more space, it supports microSD cards up to 1 TB. The phone also includes dual-SIM 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and USB-C connectivity.
One of the device’s more notable features is the inclusion of three physical kill switches for the microphone, cameras, and modem. These give users the ability to cut power to sensitive components directly, which has been a common ask among privacy-focused communities.
On the display side, the FLX1s comes with a 6.7-inch panel at 1600×720 resolution with a 90 Hz refresh rate, protected by Asahi Dragontrail glass. The back cover is glass, the mid-frame is polycarbonate, and the buttons are metal. Connectivity is broad, covering 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G ENDC.
Cameras include a 20 MP rear shooter with an f/1.8 lens, a 2 MP macro at f/2.4, and a 13 MP front camera at f/2.0. Power comes from a 5000 mAh Li-Po battery with standard USB-C 2.0 wired charging, which should provide enough runtime for heavy daily use.
Software flexibility is another highlight. While the Debian-based FuriOS is the default, the phone supports multi-boot setups, Android app compatibility, and can even run alternative operating systems such as Ubuntu Touch. Virtualization via KVM is also part of the package, opening the door for running different environments in parallel.
FuriLabs is handling the rollout in batches. The first run has already sold out, with pre-orders now open for the second. Shipments are expected later this year.
For more information, visit the manufacturer’s website.
I instantly thought fury ‘phone, but the idea of having something soft and fluffy on your ear is not unappealing.
All those devs who work hard on ARM Debian/Ubutnu- we salute you.
The market is warming up, we could finally get there.
My FP5 runs Ubuntu touch.
8GB RAM and 256GB storage with a powerful enough CPU.
Within 5 years will get see a phone with an iGPU ? The Steam Phone ?
What an unfortunate name, furi (furry) labs. You killed yourself before you even started. RIP The Furry Phone.
I pronounced it fury, not really seeing anything else
I’m dyslexic and it’s definitely fury… But still, to imagine a furry phone is kinds funny 😹
I want a phone that does a few things, bring back The Hub from the blackberry from BBOS 10.3, the backlit sliding optional keyboard like on the Priv, have a Linux Distribution mode where you can load any debian based distribution you want, and it WORK, OR use mobile versions of the main distros with full access to any working repository, and then be able to switch out of that mode and run OxygenOS/Android. And have it use FIPS-140 and AES-256 bit encryption.
Sounds like Linux phones are becoming more and more viable by the year
So….yet another massively overpriced phone with absolute crap specs running an OS with no apps or user base to provide support as the company that makes it will go belly up about a week after you buy it. Gotcha.
I mean they could make them now with the same parts as other flagship phones. This thing is sadly probably weaker than some other stuff at this price point too.
Yeah, there’s no reason any device can’t support postmarketos or similar, except for OEMs blocking it.
The whole system really needs to change. BSPs need separating from OS distribution and bootloaders need to be unlockable by the user.
That and even if you wanted to do a flagship Linux phone from scratch the up front BOM (bill of materials) for prototyping and initial run would be massive ..like in the neighborhood of a 25 million U S. dollars. That’s why only big OEMs have OG flagships.
To make matters worse most of thw reasons OEMs lock down hardware is for carriers to ensure they dpmt get much competition from the no name prepaid operators that litter the market. If big names like T-Mobile and Verizon would stop the monopolistic practices more phones would be unlocked (carrier and Bootloader ) and we would all be able to choose our own software.