A Comprehensive Guide to the PinePhone Smartphone

The PinePhone is a unique smartphone that's been making waves in the tech world. It's an open-source device, which means its hardware and software are fully customizable.

The PinePhone has a 5.95-inch IPS display, providing a decent viewing experience. The screen resolution is 1440 x 720 pixels, which is relatively standard for a budget-friendly smartphone.

The phone has a quad-core processor, which is a good balance between performance and power efficiency. This processor is paired with 3GB of RAM, making it suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, emailing, and social media.

One of the standout features of the PinePhone is its long battery life. With a 3000mAh battery, you can expect to get around 24 hours of usage on a single charge.

The PinePhone's hardware is a remarkable blend of functionality and modularity. The device uses an Allwinner A64 processor, which has four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.152 GHz and a Mali-400 MP2 GPU.

The phone has a 5-megapixel back camera and a 2-megapixel front camera, making it a great option for those who want to capture memories without breaking the bank. Its frame and case cover are made of plastic.

The PinePhone also features a USB-C port with USB 2.0 that supports DisplayPort alt-mode, making it easy to connect to external displays. This feature is particularly useful for developers who want to test their apps on different screen sizes.

Here are the key components of the PinePhone:

The PinePhone has a range of components that make it a unique and fascinating device.

The touchscreen is provided by the Goodix GT917S, which is a capacitive touch controller.

The rear camera is an OmniVision OV5640, a 5MP CMOS image sensor, while the front camera is a GalaxyCore GC2145, a 2MP CMOS image sensor.

The LCD is a 5.99" 1440x720 IPS panel, and the WiFi and Bluetooth modules are both Realtek RTL8723CS.

The modem is a Quectel EG25-G, which also provides GNSS and GPS capabilities.

The phone has a number of other components, including a magnetometer (ST LIS3MDL), an accelerometer and gyroscope (InvenSense MPU-6050), and a vibration motor (unknown model).

Here is a list of the PinePhone's components:

The PinePhone has undergone several hardware revisions since its release. One of the earliest revisions was the Project Anakin, a development kit.

The PinePhone v1.0 was the first Developer Edition, marking a significant milestone in the phone's development history. Later, the PinePhone v1.1, also known as the Braveheart Edition, was released.

There have been several other revisions, including the PinePhone v1.2, which was released as the Ubports Community Edition. The PinePhone v1.2a was a postmarketOS Community Edition, while the PinePhone v1.2b was released as the Manjaro Community Edition, KDE Community Edition, Mobian Community Edition, and Beta Edition.

Here's a list of all the hardware revisions of the PinePhone, ordered by the time of their release:

These revisions have brought various improvements and new features to the PinePhone, making it an attractive option for developers and enthusiasts alike.

The PinePhone's installation process can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I'm here to guide you through it.

The first thing you need to do is remove the protective plastic tab that isolates the battery from the device. This tab is required to be removed before using the phone, and the battery will not charge or boot until it's removed and the battery is connected again.

The PinePhone's SIM slot only accepts a micro-SIM, so make sure you have a micro-SIM card to insert. If you have a nano-SIM, you'll need to use an adapter, but be careful not to damage the contact pins if the adapter doesn't fit well.

You can find installation instructions for the PinePhone at the PinePhone Installation Instructions page, which will guide you through installing an operating system to the internal memory or a microSD card.

The installation process can be a bit finicky, and if it's corrupted or incorrect, the PinePhone won't boot anymore. Some common problems include inserting the microSD card in the wrong slot, flashing the image to the wrong partition, or using an incompatible image.

Here are some common installation problems and their solutions:

If you're experiencing boot problems with postmarketOS, try the following:

If postmarketOS gets stuck early in the booting process, it might fail to load u-boot / the kernel / initramfs / initramfs-extra. In this case, try replacing the contents of the boot partition or replacing u-boot.

To replace the contents of the boot partition, follow these steps:

Remember to switch the killswitch again if you want to use your audio jack for audio.

The PinePhone is an incredibly versatile device, and one of the best ways to unlock its full potential is by adding some accessories. The PinePhone (and PinePhone Pro) is compatible with a range of official add-on cases, including a keyboard, a LoRa add-on, a Qi wireless charging add-on, and a fingerprint reader add-on.

These add-ons are designed to work seamlessly with the PinePhone, and can be found in the PinePhone (Pro) Add-ons section.

The PinePhone also has a USB-C port that can be used to power the device, and it offers USB2 host and OTG capabilities. This means you can use a USB-C hub to add extra functionality, such as an Ethernet connection, USB ports, an HDMI port, and a power input. One such hub is the USB-C Docking Bar, which adds an Ethernet port, two USB ports, an HDMI port, and a power input.

You can also find a list of compatible accessories in the PinePhone Accessories section, which includes devices that work with the PinePhone depending on their OS support.

Discover more: Moto C

The PinePhone is a unique device that relies on open-source operating systems developed by external communities. This means that you have a wide range of options when it comes to choosing an OS for your PinePhone.

One of the standout features of the PinePhone is its ability to run a variety of Linux distributions and graphical user interfaces. As of August 2021, it has been ported to 19 Linux distributions and seven graphical user interfaces.

Broaden your view: Linux Phone Standards Forum

Some of the most popular options include Ubuntu Touch by UBports, postmarketOS, Mobian (Debian ARM), LuneOS, Nemo Mobile, and Maemo Leste. These operating systems are designed specifically for mobile use on devices like the PinePhone.

The PinePhone will automatically boot from microSD if a bootable card is inserted. This makes it easy to try out different operating systems without affecting the device's default OS.

Here are some of the operating systems that can run on the PinePhone:

It's worth noting that the PinePhone has also been ported to Android 11 through an unofficial project called GloDroid. This gives users the option to run a more familiar operating system on their device.

The PinePhone is available in various editions, each with its own unique features and price points. The Pinephone - Braveheart Edition is a limited edition model that comes with a factory test image based on postmarketOS and a custom UI.

Additional reading: Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition

You can choose from different operating systems, including Ubuntu Touch, postmarketOS, and Manjaro. The Pinephone - UBports Community Edition, for example, comes with Ubuntu Touch and the Lomiri graphical interface.

The pricing varies depending on the edition, with some options including additional hardware or accessories. The Pinephone - postmarketOS Community Edition, for instance, costs $149, while the Pinephone - postmarketOS Community Edition with a USB-C dock costs $199.

Here's a breakdown of the different editions:

The Pinephone Pro - Explorer Edition is a more advanced model with a Rockchip RK3399S SoC and 4GB of RAM.

The PinePhone's performance is decent, but it's not without its issues. The phone's processor is a quad-core Cortex-A53, which is a decent but not top-of-the-line processor.

The PinePhone's performance can be affected by the software you run on it. The phone's default operating system, Manjaro, is a Linux-based OS that's designed to be efficient and lightweight.

One issue with the PinePhone is its limited storage capacity. The phone comes with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, which can fill up quickly if you install a lot of apps and games.

Despite its limitations, the PinePhone is still a great option for developers and enthusiasts who want to try out a new type of phone.

Troubleshooting can be a challenge, but don't worry, we've got some tips to help you out.

If the PinePhone is not booting from eMMC and/or microSD card anymore, it can have two causes. The first cause is a faulty eMMC or microSD card, which can be a real showstopper.

If the battery is fully drained, your device may not boot up. Most operating systems and distributions won't work anymore.

One exception is the utility Jumpdrive, which can still be used to expose the eMMC and microSD card as drives to a computer.

Jumpdrive can be downloaded from a specific link, but it's not compatible with the PinePhone Pro.

To diagnose the issue, you can check the battery charge by removing the battery and measuring the voltage on the (+) and (-) contacts.

The PinePhone has its fair share of hardware issues, which can be frustrating for users.

One of the known issues is the sim reader, which can be problematic for some users.

If you're experiencing issues with your PinePhone's hardware, you can refer to the PinePhone Hardware Issues page for more information and how-to's on fixing the problems.

The page provides detailed instructions on how to troubleshoot and fix various hardware components, including the sim reader, internal microphone, and bottom speaker.

Here are some additional resources that might be helpful:

The PinePhone's dimensions are 160.5 x 76.6 x 9.2mm, which is relatively compact. The device weighs between 180 ~ 200 grams.

The PinePhone features a Micro-SIM card slot and supports expandable storage via microSD, which can be extended up to 2TB.

Here's a quick rundown of the PinePhone's key specifications:

The PinePhone has received several certifications, including FCC, CE, and ROHS.

The PinePhone's board information and certifications are publicly available, which is a great sign of transparency.

The mainboard schematic has been released in various versions, including version 1.2b, 1.2a, and 1.2.

You can also find a list of changes in the schematic ver 1.2 change list, which is a useful resource for those interested in the PinePhone's design.

The PinePhone's USB-C small board schematic is also available, with version 1.0 being the latest release.

In addition to the schematics, the PinePhone's component list is also publicly available.

Here's a list of the available certifications for the PinePhone:

The PinePhone's Type Allocation Code (TAC) is 86769804, which is a unique identifier for the device.

The PinePhone's dimensions are 160.5 x 76.6 x 9.2mm, making it a compact device that fits easily in your hand. The weight of the phone is between 180 ~ 200 grams, so it's not too heavy to carry around.

The PinePhone features a 5.99" 1440x720 LCD IPS Panel, providing a decent display experience. The display is powered by the ST7703 LCD Controller and the GOODiX GT917S Capacitive Touch Controller.

The phone's rear camera is a single 5MP sensor, 1/4" in size, with an LED flash. The front camera is a single 2MP sensor, f/2.8, 1/5" in size. The cameras are controlled by the OV5640 5MP CMOS Image Sensor SoC for Rear Module and the GC2145 2MP CMOS Image Sensor SoC for Front Module.

The PinePhone has a loudspeaker, a 3.5mm jack that doubles as a hardware UART if switch 6 is deactivated, and a mic. The phone also has a USB Type-C port, USB Host, DisplayPort Alternate Mode output, and supports Quick Charge 15W 5V 3A.

Here are the phone's memory specifications:

The first time you set up your PinePhone, you'll need to remove the protective plastic tab that isolates the battery from the device. This tab is required to be removed before using the phone, and the battery won't charge or boot until it's removed and connected again.

To insert a SIM card, make sure to use a micro-SIM, as the PinePhone's SIM slot only accepts this type. Don't insert a nano-SIM without an adapter, and ensure that the nano-SIM doesn't get released from its adapter.

To install an operating system, refer to the PinePhone Installation Instructions, which can be found here. This will guide you through the process of installing an OS to the internal memory or a microSD card.

If the installation is corrupted or incorrect, the PinePhone will not boot anymore. Common problems include the microSD card being in the wrong slot, the image file being flashed to the wrong partition, or an image without a bootloader being flashed.

If your PinePhone doesn't boot anymore, first make sure the battery isn't (nearly) empty. Plug the charging cable and ensure it's completely turned off before trying again.

A serial cable can be helpful in figuring out the exact cause of the issue. If you don't have one, you can try replacing the initramfs files and/or u-boot bootloader, but this will require some technical knowledge and effort.

If you're experiencing issues with postmarketOS not booting, it's possible that the installation is corrupted or incorrect. Common problems include the microSD card being in the wrong slot, the image file being flashed to the wrong partition, or an incompatible image being used.

To troubleshoot the issue, try the following steps:

If postmarketOS is installed to an SD card, you can replace the contents of the boot partition by downloading the latest image, putting it on the SD card, logging in via serial or SSH, and replacing the contents of the boot partition.

The serial console on the PinePhone is a useful feature for debugging and communication. It's located in the headphone connector and can be activated by setting the 6th contact on the DIP switch to "off".

To use the serial console, you'll need a serial debug cable, which can be purchased from the PINE64 Store. The store cable uses a 4 ring plug, but a 3 ring plug works just as well.

The serial connection is 3.3V, so make sure your cable is compatible. A cable like the FTDI TTL-232R-3V3-AJ is a good option, as it has TX on Tip and RX on Ring.

The serial connection uses the UART protocol at a speed of 115200n8. This is the standard configuration for the PinePhone's serial console.

Here's a quick summary of the serial console settings:

The PinePhone's carrier support is a crucial aspect to consider. The page PinePhone Carrier Support contains information about frequency support of different carriers and hints on setting up cellular network connectivity.

To set up cellular network connectivity, you'll need to know the specific carrier you're using and its corresponding frequency support. This information can be found on the PinePhone Carrier Support page.

The PinePhone uses the Quectel EG25-G as its modem, which supports AT commands for communication. This allows for manual configuration of settings, such as VoLTE profiles.

The modem comes with a few VoLTE profiles preloaded, and most operating systems try to set the correct profile automatically. However, if you need to select a profile manually, you can do so by following the instructions on the PinePhone's page.

To check the status of VoLTE during a call, you can use the AT command CLCC. This will give you information about the call, including whether it's being carried over VoLTE.

For a public Internet connection, you'll need to set up the APN setting, which can be found on the PinePhone APN Settings page. This will allow you to access the internet on your phone.

The APN setting is only required for a public Internet connection, also known as "data", on the phone.

For tested APN settings, check out the PinePhone APN Settings page.

APN settings are not needed for voice calls, as the modem handles VoLTE fully internally.

To apply APN settings, follow the instructions on the PinePhone APN Settings page.

The modem's VoLTE profiles, which are preloaded on the PinePhone, can be used to automatically set the correct APN setting for a specific provider.

If the modem fails to set the APN setting automatically, it can be set manually using the provided instructions.

The modem's ability to handle VoLTE fully internally means that no complicated settings are required on the phone's operating system side.

To check the status of VoLTE during a call, use the AT command CLCC and look for the fourth column on the second row, which indicates whether the call is being carried over VoLTE or the legacy phone network.

Carrier support is crucial for getting the most out of your device.

The PinePhone Carrier Support page contains valuable information about the frequency support of different carriers, helping you set up cellular network connectivity.

If you're looking for specific carrier support, you can find it on the PinePhone Carrier Support page.

This page is a treasure trove of information, providing hints on setting up cellular network connectivity.

The PinePhone has a built-in GPS engine that supports multi-GNSS reception from GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, and QZSS, regardless of a cellular connection.

You can control the operation of the GNSS subsystem using a separate set of AT commands or via qmi.

A cold start can take up to 15 minutes under good conditions, and a small antenna can make it harder to get a first fix without assistance data.

The eg25-manager is configured to upload A-GPS data by default, which can speed up the initial location fix.

To test GNSS reception, use the AT command interface (/dev/ttyUSB2) from a terminal program like minicom and feed the data output interface (/dev/ttyUSB1) into gpsmon or a similar program that can parse standard NMEA sentences.

Checking if GNSS data output is enabled will display a stream of NMEA sentences.

To install postmarketOS to the internal storage (eMMC) of your PinePhone, you can use JumpDrive and follow the instructions on the PinePhone/Pine64 wiki.

If you want full disk encryption, you should build a custom image with pmbootstrap, using the command pmbootstrap install --sdcard=/dev/YOUR-uSD-or-eMMC --fde. This will ensure your data is secure.

Note that the command pmbootstrap install --sdcard=/dev/YOUR-uSD-or-eMMC --fde is specific to building a custom image with full disk encryption.

Full Disk Encryption is a crucial aspect of keeping your data secure. It ensures that even if your device is compromised, your sensitive information remains protected.

To set up full disk encryption, you can build a custom image using pmbootstrap. This process involves running the command pmbootstrap install --sdcard=/dev/YOUR-uSD-or-eMMC --fde.

A key consideration when working with full disk encryption is pinning down the correct wire connections. A tip to keep in mind is that RX is typically connected to the Ring, TX is connected to the Sleeve, and GND is connected to the Sleeve as well.

This approach provides a solid foundation for protecting your data, and it's a good idea to get familiar with the process to ensure you can implement it correctly.

If you want to install postmarketOS to the internal storage (eMMC) of your PinePhone, use JumpDrive. Follow the instructions on the PinePhone/Pine64 wiki.

Installing to eMMC requires a specific tool, in this case, JumpDrive.

Using JumpDrive ensures a secure installation process, but it's not the only option for postmarketOS.

The PinePhone has been put to the test by a community of enthusiastic users, each with their own unique experiences and setups.

Some of the users own multiple PinePhones, like Linmob, who has two devices, one running UBports and the other running pmOS CE 3GB.

The device has been used as a daily driver by many, including Brooke, who notes that their PinePhone is their main device.

The PinePhone has also been used for testing and development, with EspiDev using it as their main development device.

The device has been used with various operating systems, including postmarketOS, Mobian, and UBports, with some users having multiple operating systems installed.

Here's a list of some of the users and their PinePhone configurations: