This midrange Android phone also runs Windows and Linux

Nex Computer, a institution that makes hardware designed to move your telephone into a laptop, is moving connected thing new: the NexPhone. It’s a midrange telephone that’s designed to double arsenic your machine and comes pinch Android and Linux installed, some of which will connection desktop experiences erstwhile plugged into a monitor.

But the NexPhone’s champion instrumentality is that it tin dual-boot into Windows 11, fundamentally becoming a afloat Windows PC erstwhile hooked up to a show — and besides offers a mobile UI that pays tribute to Windows Phone erstwhile it’s unplugged. It’s a delightfully geeky effort to reply the age-old question: Why can’t your smartphone conscionable beryllium your full dang computer?

This isn’t Nex Computer’s first effort to make a machine that’s not a computer. The institution worked connected a concept designed astir Intel’s short-lived Compute Card. Currently, it sells the NexDock, a 14-inch laptop shell designed arsenic a dock for phones that tally a desktop situation complete USB-C, which chiefly intends Samsung phones astatine the moment. But Android 16 is bringing that benignant of support to much devices, including the NexPhone. Additionally, the NexPhone will connection Linux arsenic an option, which is all the rage correct now. It runs arsenic an app connected the phone, truthful you tin conscionable consecutive up usage it connected the mini telephone surface if you want, which is chaotic and astir apt not advisable.

Then there’s the Windows Phone of it all. You request to reboot and commencement up the telephone successful Windows mode to usage it, and erstwhile you do, you’re greeted by a acquainted interface. NexDock laminitis Emre Kosmaz tells maine that they had to build a mobile UI utilizing progressive web apps since Microsoft stopped supporting its Windows Subsystem for Android successful March 2025.

But mainly, the NexPhone is designed arsenic a small instrumentality to tally Windows connected a bigger surface erstwhile you want it, alternatively than a Windows Phone revival. Kosmaz demonstrated it connected to a show utilizing DisplayLink, but says that erstwhile they finishing penning the driver the telephone will tally it complete plain ‘ol USB-C.

The NexPhone uses a Qualcomm QCM6490 chipset designed for IoT applications, which Kosmaz tells maine they chose it because of its autochthonal support for Android, Linux, and Windows. The telephone itself is rugged; gathering the MIL-STD-810H modular and rated some IP68 and IP69 for particulate and h2o resistance. There’s a 5,000mAh battery, a 64-megapixel rear camera, and moreover wireless charging.

So is this the telephone that tin yet switch your computer? We won’t cognize for a while — Nex Computer expects to vessel the NexPhone successful Q3 of 2026 for $549. The institution is taking refundable $199 preservation deposits starting today.