PENT.SHOP BUYING GUIDE / UPDATED 14 SEPTEMBER 2026
NetHunter phones: Full, Lite and Rootless
Kali NetHunter brings Kali Linux security tools to Android, with a terminal and KeX desktop for portable network and web testing. Choose the edition around the work you want to do, then choose the handset.
What you actually use NetHunter for
A NetHunter phone is a portable Kali workspace: run command-line tools, work through a lab exercise and use the KeX graphical desktop. The rooted editions also provide the NetHunter Android app. Full adds support for selected wireless and USB workflows through a matching device kernel; the exact phone, driver and accessory still determine which functions work.
For example, a learner following Kali-based network exercises may value the familiar tools and documentation. Someone who needs a particular USB or Wi-Fi function should identify that requirement before choosing a Full device. Compare the three Android platforms by what they do.
Compare our six featured phones
Start with the software you need, then compare the screen, storage and selected handset price. These are the same six phones featured in our pentesting shop; the table combines the current catalogue with manufacturer specifications.
Swipe across the table to compare every detail.
| Phone and price | Preparation included | Hardware to compare | Why consider it |
|---|---|---|---|
| OnePlus 7T £189 | Full Kali NetHunter | 128GB - 8GB RAM Preloved condition 6.55-inch display, up to 90 Hz · Manufacturer reference | Compare this Full NetHunter option when the purchase budget is your first constraint. Check the chosen build and any required external adapter before deciding. |
| OnePlus 8T £287 | Full Kali NetHunter | 128GB - 8GB RAM Preloved condition 6.55-inch display, up to 120 Hz · Manufacturer reference | A similar screen size to the 7T with a different display specification and hardware generation. The refresh rate describes the screen; it is not a pentesting-speed measurement. |
| Google Pixel 6a From £238 | Choose NetHunter Lite, eligible ANDRAX-NG or StrykerOSS | 128GB Choose condition on the product page Approximately 6.1-inch display · Manufacturer reference | The smaller-screen Pixel choice here, with 128 GB catalogue storage. Choose the Android platform you want to use; this listing does not include a Full NetHunter kernel. |
| OnePlus 11 £595 | Full Kali NetHunter | 128GB Preloved condition 6.7-inch display · Manufacturer reference | The largest display among these six picks. Compare it when screen space matters, while keeping the agreed ROM, kernel and accessory requirements central to the purchase. |
| Google Pixel 7 From £288 | Choose NetHunter Lite, eligible ANDRAX-NG or StrykerOSS | 128GB / 256GB Choose condition on the product page 6.3-inch display · Manufacturer reference | More catalogue storage choice than the Pixel 6a: 128 GB or 256 GB. Useful to compare when you expect to keep larger toolsets or lab files; free space is still checked after installation. |
| OnePlus Nord (5G) £227 | Full Kali NetHunter | 128GB - 8GB RAM Preloved condition 6.44-inch display, up to 90 Hz · Manufacturer reference | A smaller display than the 7T and 8T, with a 128 GB / 8 GB RAM featured offer. Confirm the regional model and any cellular requirements with the prepared build. |
Prices use the current catalogue and your selected display currency; confirm the exact option and total on the product page. Display sizes and refresh rates above are manufacturer specifications checked on 2026-09-14, not battery-life, speed or compatibility results measured by pent.shop. The listed prepared build may differ from the manufacturer’s original Android release. Accessories are separate unless the listing includes them.
For Full NetHunter, ask for the agreed regional model, ROM and matching kernel. For a Pixel app bundle, choose one platform; the advertised bundle does not include a Full NetHunter kernel. In both cases, tell us which external adapter or USB function you need before preparation. Why a full Kali download does not establish Full NetHunter support.
Three editions, different hardware access
Kali documents Rootless for unrooted Android, Lite for rooted Android, and Full NetHunter for supported devices with a matching custom kernel. Rootless and Lite do not promise the kernel-specific USB and wireless features of Full.
| Edition | Starting point | What to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Rootless | Unrooted Android | A portable Linux learning environment |
| Lite | Eligible rooted Android | Rooted preparation without a NetHunter-specific kernel |
| Full | Source-listed device, ROM and kernel | Specific kernel and peripheral requirements |
All Full-kernel device modules, in one catalogue
Our device catalogue includes all 123 modules and 270 kernel variants in Kali’s registry snapshot checked on 12 September 2026. Each device page shows the ROM, Android version and kernel records. Some refer to older Android releases. Source-listed compatibility and a current security patch are separate facts.
We can root and prepare your device
The £149 Full preparation service is for a customer-owned eligible device. NetHunter Lite preparation is £89. A handset is not included in either service. Send the exact model, Android version and intended use; we agree the build before work begins. If the agreed eligible configuration cannot be prepared, the service is refunded.
Choosing a supplied handset
Choose a supplied Full NetHunter phone or a rooted Android phone with Lite, eligible ANDRAX-NG or StrykerOSS. A rooted app bundle includes the selected handset price plus £39 for one platform setup. Compare storage, condition, colour and included accessories. Select your options on the product page and add the phone to your basket.
Shop supplied Full NetHunter phones · Compare rooted Android app bundles
Plan the complete connection
List the features you need and the accessories you will attach. A rooted app, an external Wi-Fi adapter and a working USB gadget mode each depend on different parts of the setup. Ask for the complete combination, including cable and power arrangement, to be checked.
What to expect in the preparation record
A useful preparation record identifies the exact equipment and software together. Before dispatch, the agreed scope should record the model and region, Android/ROM and kernel where relevant, installed platform release, included accessories and the checks performed. A successful app launch is a different result from a verified external Wi-Fi or USB feature.
- Supplied phone: confirm the selected storage, colour and condition, preparation included and any separately purchased accessories.
- Your existing phone: agree eligibility and backup requirements, then wait for the sending instructions. The service does not include a replacement handset.
- Specific function: name the adapter, cable, power arrangement and requested behaviour so the result can be assessed against that complete configuration.
Manufacturer specifications and upstream kernel listings help define the work. A completed check record describes what was actually observed on one configuration; it does not certify every phone with the same model name. See our preparation and delivery terms and sending-your-phone checklist.
Archived Pixel 8 rooting walkthrough
For an example of the work involved in rooting, PrivacyPortal published How to Root Google Pixel 8 and install Magisk in 2025 on 27 January 2025. The 8-minute-40-second walkthrough identifies Pixel 8 build AP4A.250105.002 from January 2025.
This is an archived, build-specific reference. It is not current instructions for another release or handset, and it does not demonstrate NetHunter, a Full NetHunter kernel or the six featured models above. Use the current instructions for your exact device and agreed preparation.
Project references
Requirements checked on 12 September 2026. The projects maintain their own software and documentation. pent.shop is an independent retailer and preparation service.
