A lot of older PC games can run just fine on modern phone hardware. I'd buy a SteamOS version of a phone that has some modular or built-in set of buttons and analog sticks. I don't know how the app ecosystem would work for sensitive things like banking but it's mostly a minor issue for me.

top 50 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 102 points 5 months ago

Just to get away from Apple and Google.

I love the trend towards Linux phones. I hope that gets a good enough foothold for me to get one.

  • source
  • [–] 68 points 5 months ago

    If its a viable way to get a linux phone then sure.

  • source
  • [–] 32 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    Yes but not for gaming, just to get a Linux phone.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 10 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

    That's actually a great point. If it runs actual Linux, not Android, that's a decent reason to buy. Valve might actually upstream the patches, if any, which would enable virtually all Linux distros to run in it.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 28 points 5 months ago

    I would, yes, if it was not OS locked.

  • source
  • [–] 27 points 5 months ago

    Probably not Steam OS, specially, but I'd love an alternative Linux-based smartphone OS.

  • source
  • [–] 24 points 5 months ago

    No, because I don't care about gaming on a phone. But I'd love to have numerous viable Linux phone alternatives to break the cartel duopoly.

  • source
  • [–] 24 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    So a Linux phone that works?

    On one hand I would love that. On the other hand it would have access to my steam games and that might be a problem

  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 5 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    Yeah this is the important bit to me. Valve does good work and contributes to FOSS, sure, but I'm not going to blindly follow everything they do. Right now the Linux phone space just flat out isn't viable for daily drivers. If Valve are the first ones to really address this, cool! But I'm not going to put them on a pedestal over any other options.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 5 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    Considering that they are the only pro-Linux company in a position to start delivering to my country, that might just be my only option.
    So, as long as they let me install custom stuff without restriction and have enough Linux support for the hardware they choose, they don't even need to do any special repairability stuff for me to happily give them my money.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 5 points 5 months ago* (1 child)

    Oh for sure. They're no saints but they're very far from the worst option out there, and they've been making some massive contributions to the linux space in general. I'd gladly grab something they made if they happen to be one of the first on the scene - look at the Steam Deck and what it's done for the handheld space.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • load more comments (1 reply)
  • [–] 4 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    Isn't Sailfish OS already pretty much "a Linux phone that works"?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 5 months ago

    As someone who's used a couple phones running SFOS, it's worked pretty well. it's not perfect/has some quirks but the UI is really nice and there's a community of people making apps for it and the like. Plus it's Linux which is nice.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 13 points 5 months ago

    no, because having all your eggs in a single basket is a patently bad idea. no matter what brand the basket is

  • source
  • [–] 11 points 5 months ago

    A Steam smartphone implies to me its main purpose is to play PC games and not caring about the other stuff. And no, for that reason I wouldn't buy a Steam smartphone. Because playing games on mobile phone sucks, for controls (and I always need a controller in addition), battery life and size. And its probably as expensive as a PC. I would rather buy a dedicated handheld, if its available in this form. And if its based on Android, its a nogo anyway, for privacy reasons.

  • source
  • [–] 10 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    depends.
    if it's basically a continuation of the xperia play, but otherwise a regular modern day smartphone with passing safety net, unlockable bootloader, a 3,5mm jack, sd card slot, stereo front firing speaker, decent camera, absolutely.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 2 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    depends, if it's [continues to describe the most perfect dream phone to ever exist], absolutely.

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 5 months ago

    i mean, that's my requirements. OP didnt specify what it would be and i dont wanna put out a blanket yes or no and then be called a liar or something when it eventually comes out and doesn't cover my requirements for a definite buy.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 8 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    I wouldn't buy it to replace my phone. I want to keep that and my gaming devices separate.

    I would buy it a dedicated handheld in a similar form factor to a phone + some controls. I've actually been looking at the AYN Thor for this exact use case. It would have to be the right price too.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 1 point 5 months ago

    I just made a similar comment and totally agree on both points. In the past, handhelds were actually this small, like a (bigger) phone with controls attached. Smartphones have bad battery life too and if its based on Android, then privacy concerns too. A dedicated handheld should be cheaper then full fledged power smartphone being able to play those games.

  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 7 points 5 months ago

    Maybe, if was cheap. Dislike Google and Apple.

    Don't care so much about games on the phone as like GPS, texting, ad blocking in the browser.

  • source
  • [–] 7 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    Nice try Nokia ngage crew!

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 7 points 5 months ago

    Absolutely, we need more Linux phone options.

  • source
  • [–] 6 points 5 months ago

    If it allows side loading and has expendable storage, sure. That's all I'm looking for.

  • source
  • [–] 6 points 5 months ago

    I already despise having to charge my phone once a day. I might buy one if it were FOSS, but I don't think I'd play many games on it.

  • source
  • [–] 5 points 5 months ago

    As an alternative for the Apple/Google duopoly, I'd be curious. As a gaming machine, having tried playing PC games on Android, I'd say a lot of work is still needed.

  • source
  • [–] 5 points 5 months ago

    Not if it used Android, but if they ran like a Linux based OS, yeah, I’d give it a try.

  • source
  • [–] 5 points 5 months ago

    Steam Deck is plenty, I wouldn't want to try "real" gaming on a phone.

  • source
  • [–] 4 points 5 months ago

    No, but I am looking forward to try Lepton on my Linux phone.

  • source
  • [–] 4 points 5 months ago

    Absolutely. Can you imagine hearing the big picture mode starting every time you slide out the modern equivalent of this bad boy that was ahead of its time

  • source
  • [–] 4 points 5 months ago (1 child)

    Mobile sucks. Smartphones are just too limited for real gaming. First problem is the hardware; you cant just put a desktop or laptop processors into a mobile device. Second is a small screen, which is very difficult to use for touchscreen controls and simply too small to actually see what is being displayed.

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 4 points 5 months ago

    Maybe. My phone is not a gaming device for me. But I would choose based on how well it works for other purposes.

  • source
  • [–] 4 points 5 months ago

    Nah

    Need my banking apps and other things for life

  • source
  • [–] 3 points 5 months ago

    I would want to try one, especially if it's fully compatible between Linux and the mobile modem. Wouldn't need any controller hardware on the phone itself, just needs a companion clip on controller that integrates nicely. Would definitely try to buy one if it had an underclocked/power limited laptop processor, that switches to full power when connected to a dock or charger. Something that could drive dual 1080p monitors.

  • source
  • [–] 3 points 5 months ago

    I had a fucking N-Gage at one point.

    Never again. Not even from Valve.

  • source
  • [–] 2 points 5 months ago (2 children)

    I already have a smartphone, no intention of buying another one.

  • source
  • hideshow 4 child comments
  • [–] 4 points 5 months ago* (1 child)

    This is what is known as a "hypothetical question", the idea is that your don't answer based on your actual situation, but based on a hypothetical one.

    So, now imagine instead that a wizard teleported your current phone into the plane of fire, destroying it, and you have a gift voucher that can only be spent on phones that's "one free phone" and there's a Steam Phone in the shop. Would you want it? Would you buy it?

  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • load more comments
    view more: next ›