see 0009634
downgrading back to 2025.1c makes it work
(and by downgrade, i mean installing 2025.1c from scratch)

kali-nethunterpro-2025.3-pinephonepro.img
also works.

for clarity, 2026.1 and 20260301 don't work.\
(kali-nethunterpro-2026.1-pinephonepro.img and kali_phosh_pinephonepro_20260301.img)

2025.4 and prior versions worked, but 2026.1 and the latest 20260301 version don't work.
here is a table that shows my testing (KALI NETHUNTER PRO, on a PINEPHONE PRO):

KALI VERSION        HOTSPOT    TETHER

2025.1c             works      works
2025.1c -> upgrade (lockout)
2025.3              works
2025.4              works      works
2026.1              fail       fail
20260301            fail