Apologies if the idea is absurd, but wouldn't a Linux handheld without a cell modem be easier to build and distribute? Think something of an analogue to iPod Touches, which were iPhones sans the the phone part.

This would skip a lot of the regulatory red tape, bring down costs, and make the devices more accessible so they’re in more developers’ hands. They’d have to tether from your primary phone which isn’t ideal, but workable.

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rjsw 14 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I use a Nokia/HMD KaiOS phone as a 4G/Wifi router for the communications part of your idea.

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ptx 7 hours ago | parent [-]

Did you choose a KaiOS phone specifically because other current non-smart phones lack support for Bluetooth tethering (a.k.a. PAN profile)?

As far as I can tell, all currently available models from all manufacturers are based on some Unisoc platform and offer no indication of support for this feature in their manuals. Did you happen to come across any alternatives?

I'm not very keen on KaiOS given the ubiquitous advertising baked into it (which is apparently their business model).

	▲	rjsw 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I don't really use Bluetooth, it can pair with my car to do hands free calling but have never used that. Got it because it was a small, low-cost, dual-sim phone that could also act as a router. It replaced an even lower cost Nokia feature phone. Don't run apps often enough to be bothered by any advertising.

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simne 10 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

The main question, current smartphones are nearly 100% camera-phones, and people just used to camera-phone world and don't want anything else.

But unfortunately, tiny camera is hardest thing and it is not coincidence, that nearly all whales of smartphone industry regularly show outstanding camera on their presentations.

Other things except camera are mostly accessible for Linux community.

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15 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

[deleted]

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dsp_person 15 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

What about all these raspberry pi hats with cell modems? Are they missing anything like usable IMEI numbers or proprietary stuff? What's stopping an RPi compute module 3G/4G/5G DIY linux phone?

	▲	cosmic_cheese 14 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Battery life is probably awful, mainly.
	▲	XorNot 14 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		The battery life would suck? It's not about whether you can build a phone, it's about whether you can build a decent phone.

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fsflover 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Librem 5 already exists, so there's no need to develop a handheld without a modem.

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numpad0 10 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Like Chinese emulator handhelds?

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righthand 14 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I agree, I don't really need cell service when there is so much wifi. Even would just carry a basic phone for making calls/txts even when needed.

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j45 13 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Maybe carrying a hotspot modem with a sim card is enough?