By phrase reference to desktop, I mean that desktop experience on Linux for me is now comparable, if not noticeably better than Windows. I am genuinely more productive now despite certain gripes with Gnome. Stuff generally just works. The stuff that does not work, I can emulate or put in VM.

Now when I try to compare my current linux phone ( Pine ) with default Ubuntu to a cheapest android phone, the experience is just lacking. I know other OSs are available, and they were still underwhelming at the time. Has it gotten any better? I would love to try Librem, but I can't justify dropping $1999 for US version ( the non-US version has heavy lead time now ).

I am not saying the option is not there. It is just not ready for prime time.