Kroko

Thanks for mentioning Gadgetbridge. I finally checked it out. It is surprising that it supports other devices besides smartwatches.

You can't get RCS without Google Messages. An option is using a messaging apps like Beeper https://www.beeper.com/, which can connect to Google Messages (bridge) so you can read your messages in Beeper.

I heard only about Curve pay and Vipps for Nordic countries.

You can uninstall YouTube and most other app with ADB https://github.com/Universal-Debloater-Alliance/universal-android-debloater-next-generation

winutil (ChrisTitusTech) doesn't apply some setting. ShutUp10++ have more options.

List of all Linux phones https://linmob.net/resources/#smartphones

rooted device

You can hide root and all other stuff. Only thing you can't get long term is Google Device and Strong integrity.

Yes, NFC works in custom roms. You can replace Google Pay with Curve Pay and others more local options. Some countries have independent payment systems that work ass contactless payment.

https://github.com/melontini/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame/blob/main/brands/huawei/README.md

Good to know.

Unlocking phones has more to do with the phone's manufacturer than the SoC it uses. Developing custom ROMs for MediaTek is more difficult. However, that doesn't mean there aren't devices with MediaTek SoCs that have custom ROMs.

Unlocking is possible outside of China https://github.com/melontini/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame/blob/main/brands/xiaomi/README.md