LOS ANGELES, Jan 22, 2026, 23:56 (PST)
- Nex Computer started taking reservations for the NexPhone, a device powered by Android 16 that also supports Debian Linux and Windows 11.
- The company has priced it at $549 and requires a $199 refundable deposit.
- Nex aims to begin shipments in Q3 2026.
Nex Computer started taking reservations Wednesday for the NexPhone, a $549 smartphone designed to run Android 16, boot Debian Linux on demand, and dual-boot into Windows 11. “NexPhone is the device I’ve wanted to carry for 14 years,” said founder and CEO Emre Kosmaz, describing it as “your Linux machine” and “your Windows PC” packed into a phone-sized slab. (Nexphone)
The pitch arrives as “phone-as-PC” concepts are making a comeback. Samsung’s DeX lets certain Galaxy phones display a desktop-like interface on an external monitor, while Android 16 expands desktop-style support to a broader range of devices. (TechSpot)
NexPhone comes with Android as its default OS. Users can switch to Debian through a Linux app, but switching to Windows 11—the Arm-based version designed for phone processors—needs a reboot, allowing you to choose between Android or Windows at startup. Dual-boot means the OS selection happens during device boot. (PhoneArena)
Dock it to a monitor, and the concept clicks. According to Nex, the phone supports Android Desktop Mode for a Chromebook-style experience, can run Linux with GPU acceleration, or reboot into Windows to handle full desktop apps. Android and Linux even share folders and microSD storage. (Nexphone)
The company requires a $199 refundable reservation deposit, with the remaining $350 plus shipping and any taxes or duties due once the unit is ready to ship. Nex warns that making a reservation doesn’t guarantee a delivery date. Some countries will be placed on a “waitlist only” status as the company navigates local resale and import challenges. (Nexphone)
Nex’s hardware focuses on rugged durability and solid midrange performance. Inside, there’s a Qualcomm QCM6490 chip, backed by 12GB of RAM and 256GB storage, with microSD expansion up to 512GB. The screen measures 6.58 inches, offering a 1080×2403 LCD display. Power comes from a 5,000mAh battery that supports wireless charging. The phone meets MIL-STD-810H military standards and carries IP68/IP69K ratings, ensuring it can handle dust, water, and even high-pressure sprays. (Nexphone)
Kosmaz called the NexPhone the culmination of a 14-year effort, telling TechRadar Pro, “It’s been a 14-year journey.” During that time, the company focused on selling the NexDock “lapdock,” a laptop shell designed to turn a phone into a larger-screen workstation. Meanwhile, bigger players like Microsoft with Continuum and Samsung with DeX tried similar concepts but eventually dropped them. (TechRadar)
Nex had to get creative with Windows on a tiny screen. Kosmaz told The Verge the team developed a Windows Phone-like “mobile UI” using progressive web apps—websites designed to act like installed apps—after Microsoft discontinued support for the Windows Subsystem for Android, which let Windows run Android apps. (The Verge)
Performance remains uncertain. Reviewers pointed out that the QCM6490 is designed as an enterprise-grade, IoT-centric chip—not a top-tier phone processor—and cautioned that handling full Windows 11 workloads might feel sluggish and drain the battery quickly, despite having 12GB of RAM. Nex is still aiming for a Q3 2026 release. (9to5Google)
There are some trade-offs to consider. According to Heise, Windows runs in a separate partition, so Android data isn’t shared like it is between Android and the Linux environment. They also raised questions about how smoothly Windows apps will work on a phone-sized screen. (Heise)
