Pine64, a Hong Kong-based organization that is devoted to the design and manufacture of single-board smartphones, computers and other gadgets, has launched a brand new flagship smartphone that is exceptionally unique in the highly saturated smartphone market in the fact that it does not run iOS or Android, but rather runs the open-source Linux operating system.
The new PinePhone Pro flagship smartphone is fitted with a custom-designed Rockchip chip and is equipped with a quad-core graphics processing unit that works in conjunction with 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.
This phone is clearly positioned as a device that isn't designed for the needs of conventional everyday smartphone users, but is rather aimed to satisfy the needs of those who are interested in hacking, experimentation and other projects that fall under the open-source ethos.
Image Credit: Pine64
What's Driving This Trend
- Open-source Smartphones
- The trend towards open-source smartphones allows for increased experimentation and customization by users.
- Non-android/ios Smartphones
- The trend towards non-traditional operating systems on smartphones could pave the way for disruptive innovation in the smartphone market.
- Custom-built Smartphone Components
- The trend towards designing and manufacturing custom components for smartphones could lead to a new wave of creative mobile technology.
Who This Affects Most
- Consumer Electronics
- The consumer electronics industry is ripe for open-source disruption.
- Open-source Software Development
- The trend towards open-source smartphones is directly related to the open-source software development industry.
- Mobile Phone Manufacturing
- The trend towards custom components for smartphones will likely impact the mobile phone manufacturing industry.
