The PostmarketOS project has released version 25.12, which brings incremental but meaningful improvements to its Linux distribution for phones and tablets. The update doesn't turn PostmarketOS into a drop-in replacement for Android or iOS, but it continues to close the gap with better hardware support, system upgrades, and usability improvements.
The release takes the distribution to Alpine Linux 3.23 and switches to version 3 of the Alpine package manager. One practical benefit is secure updates: packages are now fully downloaded before installation, reducing the risk of system breakage when updating over an unstable connection.
User interface components also see updates across the board. GNOME has moved to version 49, although the mobile-optimized version remains at GNOME 48. KDE Plasma Mobile has been updated to 6.5.3, bringing improvements to lock screen performance, home screen behavior, and Android integration for running Android apps. Fosh and SXMO have also been refreshed for their latest releases.
The project's optimized Firefox build has also been refined. All mobile-specific changes can now be controlled from a dedicated settings page, including address bar placement, tab behavior, and menu interactions. Popup reliability has also been improved, addressing a common issue on touch devices.
Hardware support increases modestly in this release. The Lenovo ThinkSmart View, originally a desktop video conferencing device, is now supported as a community device with working touch input, Wi-Fi, and 3D acceleration. Audio, camera, Bluetooth, and ambient light sensors remain incomplete, highlighting the experimental nature of many of the ports.
For Linux enthusiasts interested in mobile platforms, PostmarketOS 25.12 continues the project's steady progress. It's best suited for experimentation, development, or secondary tools rather than daily-driver use, but each release reduces friction and expands what's realistically usable.
