What? there's probably millions of programs for Linux.

Sure there is. But not for wha people use their phones for.

Can I call an Uber from a Linux app? Pay for things with tap to pay? Food or grocery delivery? Public transit passes? Etc.

Windows phone tried to unseat the duopoly. The OS was surprisingly good. But, no one made apps so it died.

Same thing for Linux phones.

edit if Apple didn’t go through great lengths to cripple PWAs then it wouldn’t be as big a problem. But even all the various services are crippling their own websites to direct people to apps for that sweet sweet data harvesting.