Video summary

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

Main summary

Key takeaways

Technology

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

What the video does

  • 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.

Key steps and troubleshooting (installation guide highlights)

  1. Install the UBports Installer (packaged as ubports-installer / snap on Linux).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Edit restore/flash settings to avoid re-locking the bootloader (uncheck the lock option).
  5. Flash Ubuntu Touch (2024-based build) via UBports Installer; recovery and install were quick.
  6. 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.

Notable product / OS features and changes

  • 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.

Desktop Linux app support (Libertine)

  • 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.

Android app support (Waydroid)

  • 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.

Hardware & diagnostics

  • 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.

Performance & usability verdict

  • 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.

Practical tips / takeaways

  • 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.

Guides / tutorials implicitly provided in the video

  • Installing UBports Installer on Linux.
  • Flashing factory firmware (Android 9) and preparing/unlocking a Pixel 3a.
  • Installing Ubuntu Touch via UBports.
  • Enabling and using Libertine to install desktop .deb apps.
  • Installing and troubleshooting Waydroid for Android apps.
  • Running benchmarks (Geekbench 6) and DevCheck hardware tests.
  • Debugging SIM/carrier reception issues.

Main speakers / sources referenced

  • 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

Original video