This Android Phone Also Runs Windows and Linux
▼ Summary
– The NexPhone is a midrange phone designed to function as a computer, running Android and Linux for desktop experiences when connected to a monitor.
– Its key feature is the ability to dual-boot into Windows 11, becoming a full Windows PC on a display and offering a mobile UI inspired by Windows Phone.
– The device builds on the company’s previous work, like the NexDock, and leverages upcoming Android 16 support for broader desktop compatibility.
– It uses a Qualcomm QCM6490 chipset for multi-OS support and is built to be rugged with MIL-STD-810H, IP68/IP69 ratings, a large battery, and wireless charging.
– The NexPhone is scheduled to ship in Q3 2026 for $549, with refundable reservations available starting from the article’s publication.
Imagine a single device that fits in your pocket yet transforms into a fully functional desktop computer. The NexPhone, a new project from hardware maker Nex Computer, aims to be exactly that. This rugged midrange smartphone runs Android and Linux natively, offering desktop experiences when connected to a monitor. Its most compelling feature, however, is the ability to dual-boot into Windows 11, effectively becoming a complete Windows PC on a larger display.
This concept answers a persistent question in mobile tech: why can’t your smartphone also be your primary computer? Nex Computer is no stranger to this idea. The company previously explored a concept built around Intel’s Compute Card and currently sells the NexDock, a 14-inch laptop shell that acts as a dock for phones supporting desktop modes over USB-C. While this currently works best with Samsung devices, broader support is coming with Android 16, which will include the NexPhone.
The Linux experience on the NexPhone runs as an application, meaning you can technically use a desktop environment directly on the phone’s screen, a novel but perhaps impractical idea. The real ambition lies with Windows. To use it, you must reboot the device into a dedicated Windows mode. Once active, it provides a familiar desktop interface on an external monitor. Since Microsoft discontinued support for the Windows Subsystem for Android, the team had to create a mobile user interface for the phone itself using progressive web apps, offering a nostalgic nod to the Windows Phone era.
Founder Emre Kosmaz clarifies that the primary goal isn’t to revive Windows Phone, but to create a compact machine that can run full Windows on a bigger screen when needed. In demonstrations, the phone connected to a monitor via DisplayLink technology, with plans to eventually support a standard USB-C connection once the necessary driver is complete.
Powering this versatile device is a Qualcomm QCM6490 chipset, selected for its native compatibility with Android, Linux, and Windows. Built for durability, the phone meets the MIL-STD-810H standard and carries both IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. It packs a 5,000mAh battery, a 64-megapixel rear camera, and even supports wireless charging.
Whether this device can truly replace a traditional computer remains to be seen. Nex Computer plans to begin shipping the NexPhone in the third quarter of 2026, with a price tag set at $549. The company is now accepting refundable reservation deposits of $199 for those interested in this ambitious convergence of phone and PC.
(Source: The Verge)
