not all android redistro uses Chrome, but they all use webview components afaik from like android4 on -- so you're getting most of the engine.

>not all android redistro uses Chrome

Preinstalled Google's proprietary apps on GMS Certified Android Hardware are Google Search, Google Chrome, YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Play Store, and more. If your devices are not certified, you will not have access to any of Google’s proprietary apps.

It's all or nothing. So if the OEM has certification from google, Chrome is compulsory. Also, the manufacturer MUST release ALL their phone models with it. They cannot release some models with the open sourced android.

AFAIK, Google and Microsoft are using the same playbook. Google simply learned from MS's mistakes early and created illusion of choice with open source.

Microsoft in turn, has learned from Google and is gluing "must have" services to open source VScode.

https://www.androidauthority.com/google-oem-licensing-345806... https://socialmobile.com/gms-certified-devices/

Big difference between open sourcing an Atom clone vs a browser engine and operating system. Microsoft only open sources the minimum to try to attract developers away from Linux and get them working in a Microsoft bubble.