This is my app list after using Linux phone systems, compiled from the Wikis of various distributions and updated from time to time. If your distribution has not packaged an app, install it with Flatpak.
For the apps below, search for the installation method in your distribution yourself, or check whether Flathub has them. A little scavenger hunt builds character.
Based on GNOME and uses Wayland. A simple and stable desktop with a scale-to-fit command that can force an app’s layout to adjust. The system interface keeps a button available for bringing up the virtual keyboard. After connecting an external display, it switches to windowed mode.
Based on KDE Plasma and uses Wayland. Pick this if you like KDE apps. App and system integration is the best here, and the interface feels a lot like an Android phone.
Supports hardware-accelerated decoding and must be launched from the terminal. It is not convenient for touch, but you can use Phosh’s keyboard to fast-forward.
Gnome Videos
Formerly Totem.
Plasma Mobile LLS Video Player
The video player built into Plasma Mobile.
VLC
A common video player. The interface is not optimized for phones.
The music player built into Phosh. By default, it scans music files under ~/Music, and it can automatically download artwork, look up lyrics online, and so on.
Audacious
Primarily plays music by directory and uses few system resources.
If you do not like any of the virtual keyboards, I recommend opening an online input method in a browser, typing there, then copying the text. Or install Google Input Tools in Chromium. Glamorous? No. Effective? Unfortunately, yes.
These frontends are for browsing and managing apps, similar to the Play Store. For example, after installing Flatpak, Flatpak apps will appear in the software store.
