You need to be able to relock the bootloader after flashing firmware. Pixels can do it and that’s it.

It’s specifically the ability to relock the bootloader with custom software. Pixels are the only phones that can do it.

I wanted more up to date packages in the “stable” branch of updates and less kernel updates (I already have a debian laptop using testing or unstable packages). It’s fine. I’m just gonna yeet snap. I’m using it for ML and Data Science stuff for school work. I can easily explain Ubuntu to people.

Agreed. I installed kubuntu on my desktop today and I’m super happy with it. Not snaps etc but kde plasma feels like a cross between windows 7 and 10. Like you know it’s not windows but it’s close enough where you can pick it up. I’m used to openbox so it feels very different.