Sailfish OS is a mobile phone operating system based on Linux, and not just the kernel - it’s a full Linux system with a packet manager, systemd services etc. running a wayland compositor.
A few parts - some UI stuff and parts of the Android App Support - are closed-source. And it’s technical Freemium, but a full lifetime license currently costs only €24.90/device and you still get a fully functioning mobile OS for free.
But whoever decides to use it will realize that the company behind it is honest, friendly & dedicated. Yeah I know, it almost sounds corny. But having used it & its forums across 3 devices, since 2020, that’s how I feel. Feelings aside though, they’re also subject to EU law. You can read the legal stuff unde one of the links below.
It’s a successor of the also Linux based Maemo and Meego operating systems developed by Nokia since 2005. After its cellphone branch demise (thanks to Microsoft’s Embrace, Extend, Extinguish tactics) some developers branched off to continue this work => Sailfish OS.
https://forum.sailfishos.org/
https://jolla.com/
https://sailfishos.org/
https://docs.sailfishos.org/
Want to try it on one of the supported devices?
https://docs.sailfishos.org/Support/Supported_Devices/
https://jolla.com/sailfishxinstall/
https://shop.jolla.com/downloads/ (yes, you’ll need to register but it’s free until you decide to pay for it)
Is possible to purchase a phone already installed?
The Jolla C2 appears to be out of stock, but the Jolla Phone is expected to be released this summer. https://commerce.jolla.com/
Woah…
my phone budget is 250€, for that i guess i can forget a Jolla phone for the moment.
Anyway, keep an eye on Sailfish for sure, as i was a MeeGo/Maemo enthusiast back then.
It seems that Sony’s Xperia range is fairly well supported by the community; have a look for yourself: https://forum.sailfishos.org/c/hw-adaptation/10
They are currently developing/producing a new phone, and apparently a new preorder batch is open. Could take some time though until you get it.
too expensive for my phone budget, but interesting and hopeful that Sailfish and Jolla succeed in the long run. The more Android gets closed down, the more market share opens for Linux phones, and i just love Jolla and Sailfish approach.