I mean, the people this was targeted at were Kenyans who otherwise couldn't afford a phone, I don't think the people this applies to can afford to chose a phone model

If I were to simultaneously demand:

• a phone with a relatively non-evil brand (thus obscure), and
• a rootable phone (thus a mainstream one)

that leaves me with no phone at all. Because only popular mainstream models get rooted and they’re all made by the worst companies.

When my current phone loses its usefulness I might even go without. Or possibly get one 2nd hand although the 2nd hand market still supports the 1st hand market.