Linux Smartphones with Open Source Ubuntu OS Go on Sale in Russia

Ubuntu Linux fans in Russia have a new way to run Canonical‘s open source operating system this week following the announcement that BQ Aquaris smartphones have gone on sale in the Russian market.

BQ will offer two Ubuntu-based phones in Russia. The Aquaris E5 Ubuntu edition is available already and its Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu edition will go on sale at an unspecified date in the near future.

The phones will be sold through local Russian distributors for prices ranging between the equivalent of about 192 and 235 U.S. dollars.

This is an important step forward in Canonical’s plan to make Ubuntu a formidable force in the market for smartphones and other mobile devices.

“The launch of Ubuntu phones in yet another market, especially Russia, is exciting,” said John Kourentis, vice president of Mobile Sales at Canonical. “In this phase of our launch, it is our continued aim to get our phones in the hands of as many Ubuntu fans and enthusiasts as possible.”

BQ launched the first Ubuntu smartphones in February 2015 through limited-edition “flash sales,” but it has steadily expanded its offerings of Linux smart phones since then.