Non android or ios smartphone options

[Arch Nemesis]

Has anyone use a non android or ios smartphone? Not refering to defunct OS (windows mobile, RIM or symbian). Maybe a linux based or something equivalent. And how relevent is it for use in singapore? Please share your experiences.

 

[Ye_Rongtian]

My parents use Nokia phones. Just calls and SMS. KaiOS.

 

[firesong]

Sounds like a research project.

In any case, I did dabble with (ie, used for at least 6 months) Windows Mobile; Symbian; Blackberry; Palm's Garnet, Cobalt, and webOS; iOS; Android 4, then Android 9++.

Some quick points:

1. As a phone doing expected phone functions (ie, anything we expected from the older Nokia phones - calls, text), they were more than adequate for their tasks.
2. As web browsing devices, they were not up to the task for anything more than basic web surfing. HTML5 performance was a hit-or-miss, with noticeable performance and power penalty for the phones. This was less the case in the last few iterations of Windows Mobile, but it was still an issue since HTML5 grew faster than the browser+OS kept up.
3. Apps - this is the big differentiator. We see why Huawei elected to go essentially using Android for HarmonyOS. Most of the alternative platforms have very poor web stores, so you might luck out and get WhatsApp (thanks to Jan Koum and gang), a simple unofficial Facebook clone, but not many other apps. Developers just won't dedicate resources to develop apps for small platforms.

With the app situation, you can still see it today when you look at smart watches. The Apple Watch is the gold standard for apps and 3rd party developer support. Google's own WearOS is nowhere near, and Samsung's TizenOS is even worse off in that regard. There are apps, but nothing as comprehensive nor functional.

 

[Arch Nemesis]

Sounds like a research project.

In any case, I did dabble with (ie, used for at least 6 months) Windows Mobile; Symbian; Blackberry; Palm's Garnet, Cobalt, and webOS; iOS; Android 4, then Android 9++.

Some quick points:

1. As a phone doing expected phone functions (ie, anything we expected from the older Nokia phones - calls, text), they were more than adequate for their tasks.
2. As web browsing devices, they were not up to the task for anything more than basic web surfing. HTML5 performance was a hit-or-miss, with noticeable performance and power penalty for the phones. This was less the case in the last few iterations of Windows Mobile, but it was still an issue since HTML5 grew faster than the browser+OS kept up.
3. Apps - this is the big differentiator. We see why Huawei elected to go essentially using Android for HarmonyOS. Most of the alternative platforms have very poor web stores, so you might luck out and get WhatsApp (thanks to Jan Koum and gang), a simple unofficial Facebook clone, but not many other apps. Developers just won't dedicate resources to develop apps for small platforms.

With the app situation, you can still see it today when you look at smart watches. The Apple Watch is the gold standard for apps and 3rd party developer support. Google's own WearOS is nowhere near, and Samsung's TizenOS is even worse off in that regard. There are apps, but nothing as comprehensive nor functional.

Thanks. This is just what I have been questioning myself since early last year. Wanted to break the norm of android and ios usage.

I've used windows 10 mobile, symbian and Blackberry's RIM. They're all defunct now. Only restricted to calls and sms. Exception of symbian, emails and web browsing ONLY are still capable on RIM & windows mobile.

I am thinking of linux based OS, ubuntu, sailfish or any kickstarter OS which has now surfaced in the mobile tech advancement. I've been putting the idea aside because I'm not familiar with the relevance of these OS in line with our current social requirements i.e. TraceTogether, safe entry, social media & chats (i.e whatsapp/fb) and statuary apps or webpage (i.e hdb, cpf, banking).

It would be a waste of money to get a device running lastest non android or ios, just for the sole purpose of toggling around to see if it will work. Hence, the question asked here, incase anybody have been using or knows anyone using them, to clarify my curiosity.
Thanks anyway. Your answer is helpful.

 

[Apparatus]

Can install GrapheneOS into Pixel phones

 

[technolust]

Has anyone use a non android or ios smartphone? Not refering to defunct OS (windows mobile, RIM or symbian). Maybe a linux based or something equivalent. And how relevent is it for use in singapore? Please share your experiences.

Does android w/o GMS still count ? I think as primary, other SW will be tough. I have a sailfish phone but I think the hardware options are too few to make the phone perform well as a primary . Best bet is asop type of android phone rather than just linux or Ubuntu type phones