From my post:

An Apple account, or a Google account is required to use an iphone or pixel in its default config, and all the features it entails.

Are you suggesting Google is selling Pixels with pure AOSP? Context counts.

>> regardless of what arbitrary goalpost the average person considers accessible.

You stated I was wrong. I am, and was not. This is because I have contextually stated that I am referring to the average person's reality.

I was specific in this point, because yes aosp exists. If you want to discuss conditions outside of those I mentioned, that does not make me wrong.

Instead, that means you are discussing something else.

Aosp existing does not mean the average person may or even can use it. This matters, for consumer protection is aimed at the 99.9%.. not 0.1%.

One sad example, many banking apps won't work without firebase and google play. You cannot, as an average user, even find such apps without the Play store.

A play account, or apple account has serious gatekeeping ramifications for the average person.

Pretending otherwise is ignoring reality.

It lets them win.