So they could be completely blocked from accessing hardware I don't want them to (e.g. location) and communicating with other apps. Right now Android is way too open, every app can see what other app is on my device if I so much as need to share 1 photo.
I was pleasantly surprised by that. I upgraded from an Xperia X, where Sailfish had the old Android 4.4-compatible runtime and nothing worked. I kept an Android phone around, just for these three apps. As that one was also getting old in terms of OS (Android 7) and security updates, I'm very happy to no longer need it.
I have however come across Android Apps that don't work: - Betala P (Parking app for Stockholm, no clue why this doesn't work) - OI.Share (for remote-controlling OM-D cameras. I assume it has to do with it trying to control the WiFi on the phone)
It's pretty decent hardware, mine still lasts 2 weeks on standby. Granted, I don't do much with it, I just use it to test out new lineage updates. No SIM in it. But it does receive some push messages through MicroG. I'm surprised how well it aged.
Not a fan of its hardware design though, with its overcomplicated ridges, seams and edges.
Jolla's Android emulation is unreasonably excellent, one of their technological gems. If other Linux devices ever lift off, this will be one of the killer features that Jolla can license out. (And why not? I'm absolutely in favor of vendors selling Linux software.)
As for Sailfish - it still offers the best, most consistent, simplest UI/UX of any currently available mobile device.
Edit: and I don't have to root my phone. I can SSH into it (or use the included terminal emulator with my Bluetooth keyboard) and I have access to the full Linux filesystem. For app development, there are no hoops to jump through (like Apple's developer license).
Mobile Linux is already here, and it works!