>Because the OS is one of the distinguishing features of a phone. It's one of the ways Android phones compete against each other.
An os is just a piece of software. There is nothing magical about general oses running on general purpose computers where an OS specifically magically depends on one model of computer. Desktop and server linux distros also compete among each other, I never heard a thing like Debian 12 being tied to one specific model of laptop etc
Because lets be honest, if people can upgrade and install any software they want, that reduces incentive for them to buy a new phone every 3 years. And thats the real reason, the crux of the matter. Well obviously not just profit, the power and control over peoples computers also counts for much more than mere profit.
An os is just a piece of software. There is nothing magical about general oses running on general purpose computers where an OS specifically magically depends on one model of computer. Desktop and server linux distros also compete among each other, I never heard a thing like Debian 12 being tied to one specific model of laptop etc
Because lets be honest, if people can upgrade and install any software they want, that reduces incentive for them to buy a new phone every 3 years. And thats the real reason, the crux of the matter. Well obviously not just profit, the power and control over peoples computers also counts for much more than mere profit.