Lapdock accessories maker Nex Computer has come up with a smartphone that can boot into three operating systems: Android, Linux, and Windows. The new NexPhone is an attempt to offer a single device for all your computing needs. Powered by the company’s NexOS, the device can be used as an everyday smartphone with Android 16 and can launch Linux (Debian) as an app within the Android interface. The phone can also boot into Windows 11, complete with a custom tile-based UI and progressive web app support reminiscent of the now-retired Windows Phone OS.
To expand productivity, the NexPhone can be hooked to a monitor with some peripherals for a full desktop experience using Android, Linux, or Windows 11, depending on the user’s preference. In terms of design, the smartphone doesn’t really stand out as it looks similar to most entry-level smartphones from a few years ago. However, the company has focused on making the NexPhone quite rugged as it meets the MIL-STD-810H military standards with IP68 and IP69K protection. This means that it can be used in harsh environments and can withstand drops, shocks, dust, water immersion, salt spray, vibration, and extreme temperatures.
The smartphone features a 6.58-inch LCD display with a 2403x1080p resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It is powered by the Qualcomm QCM6490 chipset, which is a Windows compatible Arm chipset with long-term support through 2036. It includes a 64-bit octa-core CPU with boost clock speeds of up to 2.7 GHz, 12GB of RAM, and a Qualcomm Adreno 643 GPU. There’s 256GB of onboard storage, which can be expanded further using a microSD card up to 512GB.
Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and USB Type-C 3.1. The USB Type-C port offers video-out support, so it can be used to connect directly to a monitor or be used with the company’s own USB Type-C hub, which includes two USB Type-C ports (one of which supports PD charging), two USB Type-A ports, and HDMI. Other features include a 5,000 mAh battery, 18W wired fast charging, wireless charging, and a dual-camera setup at the back with a 64-megapixel primary camera and a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle sensor. At the front, there is a 10-megapixel camera for taking selfies and video calls.
It’s worth noting that users with a flagship smartphone may find the NexPhone less appealing as a replacement. Rather, the company says, it can serve as a rugged secondary device that can double as a capable PC for many Linux or Windows-based tasks when needed. The NexPhone is priced at $549 and can be pre-reserved by heading to the company's website and paying a $199 deposit. The rest of the amount can be paid once the device starts shipping in Q3 2026.
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