Smartphones
The key decision you need to make here is which operating system you want to run. There are just 3 choices currently:
iOS : This is completely closed and you should give up any hopes of a repair-friendly iPhone until Apple is forced by Right To Repair regulations (like they were in the EU).
Android : While Google does maintain the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), this is not directly usable by most users. Instead you should look for devices supported by LineageOS, GrapheneOS or CaylixOS. First thing to check here is whether your device supports unlocking of the bootloader at the Bootloader Unlock : Wall of Shame. The current set of decent devices are:
Fairphone (does not ship to India)
HMD Fusion. They seem to be supportive of self-repair, even for other models like Crest 5G. But they do not allow bootloader unlocking.
Check out Libretech.shop by Mostly Harmless.
Failing all, a pragmatic option might be to get Google Pixel phone which supports LineageOS and GrapheneOS well.
Custom Android Verified Boot keys is a feature which allows you to run a custom OS with a locked bootloader. It's rare to see a device which supports custom AVB keys, but some devices can be found here.
Sony has an Open Devices program supporting AOSP for its xperia smartphones, but Sony exited the smartphones category of India in 2019 and are unlikely to return.
Linux : Though Android too is based on Linux, some people prefer to avoid Android ecosystem altogether. The OS comes in many variants like Debian, Ubuntu Touch or PostmarketOS. Check out the following devices:
Mecha Comet (coming to Kickstarter in Q1 2025) - a handheld Linux computer in a smartphone-style form factor with several extensible attachments via GPIO
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