Linux is back on smartphones: The PinePhone Beta Edition starts at US$150 and fails to impress

A few years ago, I was adventurous enough to get the ZTE Open C as my daily driver. The whole experience was interesting enough, but Firefox OS is sadly history now. However, Linux is still around and showing up on smartphones from time to time. Unfortunately, the PinePhone Beta Edition looks like another device that only targets hardcore fans.

Without further ado, these are the two variants that can be pre-ordered right now (links at the end of the article):

• PinePhone Beta Edition - 2/32 GB, priced at US$149.99 (US$249 retail price)
• PinePhone Beta Edition with Convergence Package - 3/64 GB, priced at US$199.99 (US$299 retail price)

In addition to the basics above, the list of common specs includes the Allwinner A64 processor, a 2 MP front camera and a 5 MP one on the back, microSD slot, a set of 6 pogo pins to add hardware such as a fingerprint reader or a thermal camera, a removable 3,000 mAh battery, as well as a 5.95-inch 720p IPS LCD touchscreen. The operating system is Manjaro with Plasma Mobile OS and the warranty is just 30 days.

Would you buy the PinePhone Beta Edition or any other Linux-driven handset? Ever used such a device/still using one? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

Buy the Lenovo Chromebook S330 on Amazon