Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus surpasses the Intel Core Ultra 288V, raising the possibility of smartphones replacing laptops. With the upcoming Android 16, Google is expanding Linux access on Android devices, allowing a Debian virtual machine setup. This shift aims to transform Android into a desktop-like OS with better compatibility for external displays and input methods. While widespread adoption remains uncertain, some users may embrace this convergence of smartphone and desktop functionalities.
Unleashing the Power of Your Smartphone: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite
According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor found in the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus outperforms the Intel Core Ultra 288V chip. With an impressive 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of SSD storage, this smartphone is more powerful than many laptops on the market today. This begs the question: why not utilize it as a laptop replacement?
The Arrival of Linux on Android Devices
In March 2025, Google took a significant step by launching a native Linux Terminal app as part of the Pixel Feature Drop. The upcoming Android 16 aims to broaden access to Linux capabilities on smartphones.
Although Android is built on a Linux foundation, it has traditionally functioned as a mobile-centric distribution, offering a user-friendly interface that differs significantly from the classic Linux shell and desktop environments. However, this is changing.
Currently, Linux is only available on the latest Pixel devices running Android 15, but Android 16 is set to expand this access to all sufficiently powerful Android smartphones. The Linux terminal operates on a Debian Linux virtual machine, which provides a shell interface directly on an Android device. This setup allows users to download, configure, and run Debian effectively. The Android Virtualization Framework (AVF) underlies this functionality, enabling Android devices to support additional operating systems.
To activate the Linux Terminal app, users should:
- Enable developer mode by navigating to Settings > About phone and tapping the build number seven times.
- Once developer mode is active, the app can be accessed through Settings > System > Developer options > Linux development environment.
The initial installation may require some patience, as it entails downloading a 500 MB version of Debian. After setup, users can manage disk space allocation, network port controls, and even recover the virtual machine’s storage partition. However, graphical user interface (GUI) applications are not yet supported, and that feature is anticipated with the release of Android 16.
As noted by Android expert Mishaal Rahman, “Google aims to transform Android into a fully-fledged desktop operating system, necessitating improved compatibility with conventional PC input methods and display options.” To achieve this, Google is currently testing new tools for managing external displays in Android 16, bringing the operating system closer to its desktop counterparts.
The merging of smartphone and desktop functionalities is a path that Google is actively pursuing. Many enthusiasts have been anticipating this convergence for years. Early attempts included the Palm Foleo in 2007, the Redfly Mobile Companion in 2009, and the Motorola Atrix in 2011, with the Canonical Ubuntu Linux smartphone from 2012 being a notable favorite.
Samsung also ventured into this realm with Samsung DeX, which continues to exist, though it hasn’t gained widespread traction. Looking ahead, with the introduction of Linux graphical interface applications, it’s feasible that consumers might begin to replace their laptops with larger Android phones and tablets. While this trend may not become mainstream—similar to the limited adoption of iPads as laptop substitutes—there will undoubtedly be a segment of users who embrace it.