Summary of "Is Ubuntu Touch Worth It In 2026? (Pixel 3a)"

Is Ubuntu Touch Worth It in 2026? (Pixel 3a)

Walks through installing Ubuntu Touch (UBports) on a Pixel 3a.
Compares this install to earlier Linux-on-phone attempts (PostmarketOS on the same device, an older Ubuntu Touch build on Pixel 2).
Tests usability, desktop/gesture features, installing desktop Linux apps (Libertine), running Android apps with Waydroid, benchmarks, sensors, and cellular connectivity.

Install the UBports Installer (packaged as ubports-installer / snap on Linux).
Enable developer mode on the phone and put it in fastboot. Use a reliable USB cable — connection failures can be caused by a poor cable.
Downgrade/restore the phone to factory Android 9 (required by this UBports build) using the Android Flash Tool. The reviewer found the tool worked reliably in Chrome; the phone must be in fastboot.
Edit restore/flash settings to avoid re-locking the bootloader (uncheck the lock option).
Flash Ubuntu Touch (2024-based build) via UBports Installer; recovery and install were quick.
Configure the phone after install:
- Gestures, launcher, USB security, and desktop/windowed mode in Settings.
- Enable a Libertine container for desktop apps.
- Install Waydroid for Android apps.

Notes:

The reviewer experienced connection failures until switching to a better USB cable.
Rebooting after installs often resolved issues where apps didn’t show up.

Base OS upgraded to a 2024 Ubuntu release — a large jump from the older 16.04-era builds.
UI polish improvements:
- Haptic feedback on buttons/keyboard.
- Blur/background improvements and a smoother web browser.
- Improved windowed/multitasking behavior (new windowed mode and gesture dead-zone options).
New settings: desktop/launcher tweaks, gesture dead-zone, USB security options.
Project status: Canonical originally dropped official Ubuntu Touch; the UBports community actively maintains and updates the project.

Libertine container allows installing .deb desktop apps.
The reviewer ran into container permission quirks:
- No sudo, limited shell access, and a “fake-root” pattern that requires workarounds.
Getting apps like Brave running required manual .deb installation and environment tweaks (scaling/XDPI, window mode). A reboot improved stability and performance.
Once configured, Libertine made desktop Linux apps usable on the phone, though scaling and UI remain fiddly.

Waydroid (called Wagroid/Wandroid in subtitles) runs Android apps inside a container. Installation worked after careful setup and reboot.
Performance:
- Geekbench 6 recognized native CPU/GPU, but scores were significantly lower than on stock Android (roughly half in the reviewer’s tests).
Compatibility:
- Many Android apps run and can be playable (example: Clash of Clans with an orientation-lock workaround).
- Landscape/resizing support is limited and can be brittle.
Overall: Waydroid is a major usability boost compared to earlier Linux-on-phone builds, but performance and resizing limitations remain.

Sensors and hardware diagnostics (using DevCheck) were mostly functional; the phone recognized sensors and the MagSafe magnet.
Cellular connectivity produced mixed results:
- Some carriers’ SIMs (TracFone/Verizon MVNOs) did not register.
- A Mint Mobile SIM (without an active plan) did register.
- Conclusion: carrier compatibility depends on provisioning and network; test your SIM before daily-driving.

Considerably more usable and polished than the older Pixel 2 Ubuntu Touch build.
Standout positives:
- Android app support via Waydroid.
- Ability to install desktop Linux apps via Libertine — features not normally available on standard Android.
Remaining drawbacks:
- Fiddly advanced configuration and container/permission quirks.
- Imperfect Android app resizing/orientation behavior.
- Reduced benchmark performance versus stock Android.
- Potential carrier compatibility issues.
Final take:

Definitely a fun, more daily-usable Linux phone experience in 2026, but expect tinkering and test SIM/carrier compatibility beforehand.

Use a reliable USB cable; put the phone in fastboot before flashing.
Use Chrome for the Android Flash Tool if required.
Downgrade to the Android version recommended by UBports (Android 9 for this build).
Edit flashing options to avoid re-locking the bootloader.
Reboot if installed apps don’t appear — many issues are resolved by restarting.
Use the Libertine tweak tool to adjust scaling; expect trial-and-error with DPI and window mode settings.
Test your SIM card on the device before switching to daily use.

Video host / reviewer (the YouTuber presenting the installation, testing, and commentary).
Projects / tools mentioned:
- UBports (Ubuntu Touch) and UBports Installer
- Libertine (container) and Libertine tweak tool
- Waydroid (Wagroid)
- PostmarketOS (comparison)
- Android Flash Tool (Chrome/Chromium)
- Brave browser
- Geekbench 6
- DevCheck