I've seen an article about Nintendo looking at smartphone integration for a possible console.
Here's something I wrote back on June 14th 2018:
Back when Animal Crossing Pocket Camp came out I joked that perhaps one of Nintendo’s next endeavors would be a phone. Is it really that far fetched?
Nintendo, especially with the Pokémon series has always wanted to have a device that you would take with you on the go. Usually these devices would count steps and have little Pokémon mini games. Recently they announced Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu / Eevee which works in tandem with the Pokémon go app.
The farthest back I can think of that’s a good example of Nintendo wanting you to have a product to take with you places is the DS. Certain stores would receive demo carts that you could download upcoming game demos and special content from. Then with the 3DS you have street pass, where even just passing someone else with a 3DS their mii would show up in your mii plaza and depending on which games you own, also receive content for those games as well.
Now with the Switch being a hybrid on-the-go and home console I really do believe it’s the next logical step. Everyone has a cellphone. With them venturing out into mobile app games and with this constant pushing for on-the-go gaming it just feels like it’s the direction they’re heading.
Nintendo also wants “every single person” to own a switch making it more logical that they would look into the phone market.
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What do you guys think? Is it possible that Nintendo would look into making a Smartphone? Or am I pulling this out of thin air?
As a Linux user myself, I understand where you are coming from. I don't have a compatible device, but have been meaning to try these linux mobile OS that are around, specially want to try out Plasma mobile (which is basically a UI, but you get my point).
That being said, consumer level smartphones need tons of apps. Have you checked the amount of apps available on Play Store? You need those. For instance, there is no proper Linux client for WhatsApp or Signal. You need the android / iOS version to set them up. Same for tons of other applications. Many workplaces require some of these apps. Without these, no phone can succeed. Some of these are big name companies that might be ported, but there are many niche apps as well.
Just to clarify, I am talking from the point of view that it will be the primary smart phone we have. Not another smartphone, in addition to the android / iOS one we are already carrying.