Honestly this just kind of hits how it has always hit, amirite? This has "been" the status quo since, shit the 80s. We've always had to learn how to install additional ram, add expansion cards to our computers, integrate peripherals, understand coding and function, and it seems to me that the "smooth" experiences are often controlled by the conglomerates.  This is somewhat of a filter, wherein those who choose to put the additional effort reap the rewards, and those who dont are properly rewarded with their proof of work proportionally.  I do hope that we are able to smooth out our ramps, our workflows, and the experience in general, however I fear the smoother the ability, the higher the adoption, the more broad the base.  Even though we all want freedom technology for the world, i'm not crying about the fact that there is a certain degree of mental power you have to put into these things, it serves in a way as a barrier preventing completely mindless and lazy persons from mucking up my experience. 

 it's my hope that you don't have to be a technical genius to be able to experience mobile privacy. some day. 

 when you say it that way, yes for sure. but what do you expect of a large conglomerate? the phone isnt nessesarily ours, its theirs. its got their hardware in it, their software. its unfortunate, but its expected. they're gonna do what they want with it.

now if you were to perhaps, take the alternative hardware, configure it so it's plug and play and distribute it to persons, that could be a way to make it easier for people to reach.  actually it would be a decent proposal to startup a co that takes X phone, that is fully customizable, and performing the setups and selling them to clients interested in high levels of privacy, but little technical knowledge. 

 The issue here is a company like this would need to operate in the red for several years. You just can't penetrate the market in a meaningful and profitable way during the first few years when 95% of it is controlled by 2 companies. You also need a hefty wallet to get started with suppliers to be able to negotiate cost effective components or you'll be priced out by completion. It's a daunting task for any new player. Many startups have tried and failed here. Block could do this. They have the hardware experience and the deep pockets to operate at a loss for the first 3 years. Jack mentioned looking into it. I'm not sure if anything has been done here. 

 Simultaneously though it wouldn’t be a huge company to start. It would be profitable while its scale was small prior to exposure.but you’re right, you would need an immense amount of staying power