AOSP generally isn't the problem, as I said, but the question of "is it the year of the Linux phone" the answer is still no, because practically almost all real

AOSP generally isn't the problem, as I said, but the question of "is it the year of the Linux phone" the answer is still no, because practically almost all real smartphones available are user hostile and locked down. The very point why people want Linux on the phone is so they can install any os or software they want to install without the manufacturer or google etc placing roadblocks. So my tldr is AOSP could be considered merely an unconventional Linux os but its moot unless you have the "master keys" to your device ie a root shell, unlocked bootloaders etc.