I've done Linux desktops on and off over the years but have had multiple Deb-based servers consistently for 10+ years now. Came time to commit to a desktop and I had to go Mint because I knew I'd be apt installing everything and cursing at myself if I went with anything else
I love 2D pixel art, but the 3D art style here does not do it for me - I wish them the best of luck, but I dont think I'll be picking this one up any time soon.
If you have economies of scale, and are competing on ground other than having the highest specs on paper, yes. If you're using the latest hardware and not moving Google volumes of devices though it's not as easy to keep prices down.
Biggest challenge GOS has is that most hardware vendors do not meet their fairly restrictive hardware security requirements, and those few that do don't typically allow bootloader unlocking. Pixel devices up until now have been unicorns in those regards.
Unfortunately a lot of "budget" items are being subsidized by your personal information, and the smaller market for privacy-forward goods and services makes economies of scale harder.
Unless governments start passing robust privacy laws, it will just continue to get more and more expensive to live privately with modern conveniences.
Shit I just dropped my phone in the sink! Just give me a minute to hop online... Commercial grade desiccant... 7-10 days shipping... Buy now... Great! In a week I'll have the driest phone ever!
And they didn't even try to solar power their ISP?!? The nerve of some people.