I don't understand why it would be too late for "the community" to get an alternative OS for their smartphone to tinker with. Especially since there aren't any

I don't understand why it would be too late for "the community" to get an alternative OS for their smartphone to tinker with. Especially since there aren't any open-source and free alternatives yet (notwithstanding Android maybe ?). I own an iphone 3GS and Samsung ??1500 and I really don't like them (I am not using them, their were dropped on my lap by some friends who took pity on me). My old sony-erricson Naite suits me better but I can't help waiting for something like the upcoming Ubuntu phone or a Jolla phone (or a clone ?) to get on board. PS: I might have missed it but my comment falls flat if you consider Android the only tinkering smartphone OS (I don't have any opinions regarding that statement though).