I think what's worrying is what the landscape will look like when it's done. E-sims are a very bad sign for the future. It gives much more granular choices in what phones they permit on the network.
I worry that as long as Apple is out here spouting bullshit about scanning people's messages to protect them from "nudes", eventually we'll reach a place where any phone that isn't actively monitoring its user will be perceived as doing something criminal and blocked out.
You mean the EU and German government proposals for a few years? :/ Luckily courts block that so far but who knows what will be next and where in it will happen!
Sxmo postmarketos pinephone is definitely daily driveable! Fediverse apps have webapps n stuff. Its doable, but you gotta be willing to put up with a lot :/
But there are several small projects currently working on a linux-based alternative to iOS and Android. A true 3rd option has been sorely needed for a very long time, but never as much as it is now.