I don't see anything elitist. Anyone can learn assembly language, C, and even C++ and Rust with a bit more dedication.

Anyway, much of the work getting these phones ready as daily drivers is in getting apps that run on them mature. There are lots of languages adequate for apps.

Or learn Swift or Kotlin, and target iOS or Android instead.

Or even, you know, not.

Though a bit elitist, his comment isn't discouraging anybody, and does hold some truth in that getting closer to the hardware allows you to do things you can't do otherwise.

I feel like it's unfair to disparage him as harshly as that.

What's elitist in learning a craft properly? Working with a higher level language doesn't mean that learning C, C++, algorithms, data structures and a bit of math isn't terrible useful.