Comment by seba_dos1

> terminal can already be done through things like termux

For me, the terminal itself isn't really the value proposition, it's just one of the consequences. What actually matters it that I get to be the real administrator of that device. I can grab any package - whether an application, library, shell or system daemon - and hack on it and patch it however I want, the exact same way I can do it on my laptop's OS. I can replace entire components. I can write scripts that interact with any part of the OS or the hardware. Back when I was a teenager myself, I used to code my own replacement for messaging UI (among other things) in Python, on the phone itself - it really kickstarted my programming skills. These things are just not possible with Android, where patching stuff up is a PITA even when you do it on a PC. Android development follows a completely different philosophy which I don't really subscribe to.

> I feel like the issue for me not being able to tinker is monetary of sorts

Yeah, unfortunately the best option is quite pricey. Viable alternatives may include PinePhone and OnePlus 6, though note that the former is noticeably lower-end and the latter isn't as well supported. However, either of them may end up being enough if you're motivated to tinker.

> seems like a fever dream

What if I told you that when you have a USB power source around for a moment, you can even hot-swap the battery without turning the phone off? :D