REVIEW: Sailfish OS – Linux Phone & Spiritual Successor to MeeGo! Android & iOS Alternative?

Closer look at Sailfish OS in 2023 + UI comparison w. MeeGo (Nokia N9).
Find compatible devices: https://amzn.to/3X47N26
Learn more: https://sailfishos.org/

Details:
Sailfish OS is a Linux-based operating system. The project is being developed by the Finnish company Jolla.

The OS first shipped with the original Jolla Phone in 2013; it also shipped with Jolla Tablet in 2015. The OS is ported by community enthusiasts to third-party mobile devices including smartphones and tablet computers.

The OS is an evolved continuation of the Linux MeeGo OS previously developed by alliance of Nokia and Intel which itself relies on combined Maemo and Moblin, which made its debut on the Nokia N9. Although the Nokia N9 became the beacon of open source operating systems, Nokia decided to end the project and chose instead to continue with Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS. The rest of that is another story.

The MeeGo legacy is contained in the Mer core in about 80% of its code; the Mer name thus expands to MEego Reconstructed. This base is extended by Jolla with a custom user interface and default applications. Jolla and MERproject.org follow a meritocratic system to avoid the mistakes that led to the MeeGo project’s then-unanticipated discontinuation.

The main elements for Sailfish OS 2.0 include:
– Technically stronger OS core
– Improved Android application compatibility
– Support for ARM and Intel architectures
– Strong multitasking
– Strong privacy and personalization features
– Enhanced user interface with new UI/UX features, including simpler swipe access to main functions, enhanced notifications and events views.

Targeted device classes
Sailfish is targeted at mobile devices.Since it inherited around 80% of MeeGo code, Sailfish can be used as a complete general-purpose Linux OS on devices including in vehicle infotainment (IVI), navigation, smart TV, desktops and notebooks, yachts, automotive, e-commerce, home appliances, measuring and control equipment.

Using Android software running on Sailfish OS
In addition to its native applications, Sailfish can run some Android applications by installing them from an application store or directly through an APK file. Supported Android versions are 4.1.2 “Jelly Bean” on the original Jolla phone; 4.4.4 “Kit-Kat” on the Jolla C, Jolla tablet and Xperia X; 8.1.0 “Oreo”, 9 “Pie” and 10 on Xperia XA2, Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 II Pro.

Official Devices:
Jolla C
Jolla Tablet
Jolla Phone

Supported devices:
Sony Xperia 10 III – via Sailfish X
Sony Xperia 10 II – via Sailfish X
Sony Xperia 10 Plus – via Sailfish X
Sony Xperia 10 – via Sailfish X
Planet Computers Gemini PDA – via Sailfish X
Sony Xperia XA2 Plus – via Sailfish X
Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra – via Sailfish X
Sony Xperia XA2 – via Sailfish X
Sony Xperia X – via Sailfish X

Sailfish OS has a host of modern security functionalities developed specifically for corporate and governmental environments. In Sailfish 4 user data is fully encrypted and apps are protected by Firejail sandboxing. Connectivity is behind a firewall and protected with in-built support for VPNs, and automatic backups always secure your data. Core OS services are sandboxed using systemd, and the whole system can be managed on the OS level with the full-scale MDM capability.

The main design principles of Sailfish OS have always included a seamless user experience combined with unique and clean Scandinavian design. The fourth generation of Sailfish OS contributes to this legacy by offering improved legibility through a new crisp visual style, an upgraded browser, a new battery saving mode, and a number of other UX improvements.

Firejail sandboxing for apps
Sandboxing limits an application’s access to only the minimum needed user data and system functions to contain the damage if an app becomes compromised.

Sandboxed core OS
Core OS services that control critical hardware functionality have been limited to having access only to the capabilities each domain requires, enforced by using systemd sandboxing.

Data encryption
Encryption is enabled on all new Sailfish devices. This helps to keep data safe whether it is stored on the device, on a memory card, or a USB On-The-Go storage.

We respect your privacy
We don’t collect or sell personal data. Connect devices to the services you trust or set up your own cloud. We don’t take any share of digital sales happening on Sailfish OS devices.

Sailfish OS is an open platform based on Linux and over 500 open source projects. Licensees get full source code access to the OS, tooling, and infrastructure.

Overhauled Browser
The Sailfish 4 browser is armed with a new browser engine (from Firefox Quantum), designed to take full advantage of the processing power of modern devices. More importantly, the focus of the renewed browser has been on security – introducing features such as site permissions, password manager, and certificate info.