The speed issue could in the short term be bruteforced with stronger hardware, but as far as I'm aware there’s no Linux phone out there with anything approaching what one might consider “strong” hardware.
It’s a bit puzzling because there’s Chinese companies like Retroid and AYN pumping out Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 handheld gaming devices that the community has ported Linux to, with working graphics acceleration and everything. I doubt these companies are using fully bespoke mainboards, because most of their components are borrowed from existing smartphones. Seems like some company could stick one of these Snapdragon boards into a phone chassis and have a reasonably compelling Linux phone.
> It’s a bit puzzling because there’s Chinese companies like Retroid and AYN pumping out Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3
There is no path from "I made a cellular phone" to "I can place calls" that doesn't involve tens of millions of dollars paid to the gatekeeping cellular carriers.
Without the equivalent of Carterfone for cellular, this will never change.
It’s a bit puzzling because there’s Chinese companies like Retroid and AYN pumping out Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 handheld gaming devices that the community has ported Linux to, with working graphics acceleration and everything. I doubt these companies are using fully bespoke mainboards, because most of their components are borrowed from existing smartphones. Seems like some company could stick one of these Snapdragon boards into a phone chassis and have a reasonably compelling Linux phone.