"Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone"
-
@janvlug@mastodon.social How long have you been using the Librem5?
@dademurphy@toot.community @purism@librem.oneSince 2022-05-01. I wrote a blog about this, when I started it as a experiment.
https://janvlug.org/blog/one-week-librem-5-field-trial-day-1/
Thanks for asking. I realize now that it was yesterday exactly four years ago.
The software has been improving since then, and it is still improving. The release of the next version of #PureOS for the #Librem5 with the name #Crimson is imminent.
-
Since 2022-05-01. I wrote a blog about this, when I started it as a experiment.
https://janvlug.org/blog/one-week-librem-5-field-trial-day-1/
Thanks for asking. I realize now that it was yesterday exactly four years ago.
The software has been improving since then, and it is still improving. The release of the next version of #PureOS for the #Librem5 with the name #Crimson is imminent.
@janvlug@mastodon.social That sounds awesome and it's great to hear that Purism is still at it with updates.
@dademurphy@toot.community @purism@librem.one
-
"Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone"
https://www.theregister.com/2026/05/01/buy_a_foss_fondleslab/
I use a #Librem5 #Linux #phone. With the default #PureOS operating system.
Enjoy your #freedom, break free from #Google and #Apple.
Have a full Linux computer in your pocket that you can also use for calling.
Questions? Ask me.
@janvlug How is the PWA support? Can you install PWAs? How's the battery? Is receiving phone calls and SMS reliable? How often do you need to reboot it? I've a Librem 5 in the drawer and don't feel like taking it out ever again. It's too hot all the time: 34 °C.
-
@janvlug@mastodon.social That sounds awesome and it's great to hear that Purism is still at it with updates.
@dademurphy@toot.community @purism@librem.oneThere is a monthly blog post with details about the #PureOS software improvements. If you are interested, you can find them here:
-
@janvlug How is the PWA support? Can you install PWAs? How's the battery? Is receiving phone calls and SMS reliable? How often do you need to reboot it? I've a Librem 5 in the drawer and don't feel like taking it out ever again. It's too hot all the time: 34 °C.
@codo I do not use PWA's myself, but I know that there is some work being done in this area:
https://source.puri.sm/search?search=pwa&nav_source=navbar&group_id=22032&scope=issues
The battery is enough for me, I charge the #Librem5 usually whenever I have the possibility, so I cannot give details. It is way less than modern Android or Apple phones though. I use suspend.
Phone calls and SMS is reliable for me. I live in the Netherlands.
Maybe it woud be interesting to give your Librem 5 another try:
https://docs.puri.sm/Hardware/Librem_5/Maintenance/Reflashing.html
Make sure to flash Crimson.
-
"Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone"
https://www.theregister.com/2026/05/01/buy_a_foss_fondleslab/
I use a #Librem5 #Linux #phone. With the default #PureOS operating system.
Enjoy your #freedom, break free from #Google and #Apple.
Have a full Linux computer in your pocket that you can also use for calling.
Questions? Ask me.
@janvlug I wonder which would be the cheapest option? something second hand maybe, or is this all very new?
-
@janvlug I wonder which would be the cheapest option? something second hand maybe, or is this all very new?
-
-
@janvlug How is the PWA support? Can you install PWAs? How's the battery? Is receiving phone calls and SMS reliable? How often do you need to reboot it? I've a Librem 5 in the drawer and don't feel like taking it out ever again. It's too hot all the time: 34 °C.
@codo @janvlug
You can easily turn any website into a webapp, whether it's defined as a PWA or not. Pic related.Battery, in my experience: 4-5 hours of active use; 12-14 hours of idling without sleeping; 22-24 hours in system suspend where it wakes up from calls and SMS.
Calls and SMS have been reliable for me here in Poland, but it's always subject to carrier compatibility now with VoLTE.
In general there's no need to reboot at all unless updating or working on the kernel.

-
Apparantly you can use #Waydroid for that. But personally, I do not use Waydroid, so I have no experience with that.
Also camera getting to work in Waydroid seems difficult.
You can use Waydroid on Linux, whether it is a Linux desktop, laptop or phone.
See also:
https://docs.puri.sm/Software/PureOS/cfg/android/waydroid.html
Maybe I should try this once myself, but my preference is to stay away from Android apps.
-
Apparantly you can use #Waydroid for that. But personally, I do not use Waydroid, so I have no experience with that.
Also camera getting to work in Waydroid seems difficult.
You can use Waydroid on Linux, whether it is a Linux desktop, laptop or phone.
See also:
https://docs.puri.sm/Software/PureOS/cfg/android/waydroid.html
Maybe I should try this once myself, but my preference is to stay away from Android apps.
-
"Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone"
https://www.theregister.com/2026/05/01/buy_a_foss_fondleslab/
I use a #Librem5 #Linux #phone. With the default #PureOS operating system.
Enjoy your #freedom, break free from #Google and #Apple.
Have a full Linux computer in your pocket that you can also use for calling.
Questions? Ask me.
-
@codo @janvlug
You can easily turn any website into a webapp, whether it's defined as a PWA or not. Pic related.Battery, in my experience: 4-5 hours of active use; 12-14 hours of idling without sleeping; 22-24 hours in system suspend where it wakes up from calls and SMS.
Calls and SMS have been reliable for me here in Poland, but it's always subject to carrier compatibility now with VoLTE.
In general there's no need to reboot at all unless updating or working on the kernel.

-
@dademurphy @janvlug @purism I only use my phone to call or text, have a couple of official apps I can't live without in Denmark, and for travel. everything else I can do in a browser.
What exactly am I walling myself off from? People who didn't care about me?
-
"Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone"
https://www.theregister.com/2026/05/01/buy_a_foss_fondleslab/
I use a #Librem5 #Linux #phone. With the default #PureOS operating system.
Enjoy your #freedom, break free from #Google and #Apple.
Have a full Linux computer in your pocket that you can also use for calling.
Questions? Ask me.
@janvlug I'd consider an EU based OS instead, like Sailfish, but then again it only runs on their devices and it isn't completely OSS. Degoogled options aren't bad as well, mostly because of the rich development community and tools, but then again it might some day cease existing. It's a tricky situation, so many options.
-
"Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone"
https://www.theregister.com/2026/05/01/buy_a_foss_fondleslab/
I use a #Librem5 #Linux #phone. With the default #PureOS operating system.
Enjoy your #freedom, break free from #Google and #Apple.
Have a full Linux computer in your pocket that you can also use for calling.
Questions? Ask me.
@janvlug One important question, van it handle BankID and Swish? Made for bankhandling and monytransfer?
-
"Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone"
https://www.theregister.com/2026/05/01/buy_a_foss_fondleslab/
I use a #Librem5 #Linux #phone. With the default #PureOS operating system.
Enjoy your #freedom, break free from #Google and #Apple.
Have a full Linux computer in your pocket that you can also use for calling.
Questions? Ask me.
@janvlug im on Furilabs FL1Xs and the screen already cracked, also maps and bluetooth are really difficult. may end up on iphone soon
-
@dademurphy what exactly are you on about
-
@dademurphy @janvlug @purism I only use my phone to call or text, have a couple of official apps I can't live without in Denmark, and for travel. everything else I can do in a browser.
What exactly am I walling myself off from? People who didn't care about me?
@skulesz @janvlug@mastodon.social @purism Pretty sure I already answered that.

If you’re using a device that isn’t compatible with Android or iOS products, you just hobbled your overall experience because you think you’re free to use a Linux phone when all you actually did was lock yourself behind a bigger wall.

️Hell, you would be better off with a basic flip phone if that’s all you do, why spend money on a device that will never catch on?
-
"Where to buy a non-Apple, non-Google smartphone"
https://www.theregister.com/2026/05/01/buy_a_foss_fondleslab/
I use a #Librem5 #Linux #phone. With the default #PureOS operating system.
Enjoy your #freedom, break free from #Google and #Apple.
Have a full Linux computer in your pocket that you can also use for calling.
Questions? Ask me.
@janvlug Can you run apps that try to detect if you've rooted your phone, like banking apps (and in my country, even the official health app)?
