Probably in the long run the only way to go will be to own/carry two devices. A long supported phone with stock firmware and apps you are "forced" to use to interface with the world around you, and a second Linux portable machine where you have your freedom.

I wish I had enough clout / money to get a chinese tablet maker to allow me to install Linux. Luckily I could root it which is great, but outside that i'm lost. Hope someone will make my dream device with linux some day.

Which one?