alt Hacker News> Zero dependence on "the West" other than the phones themselves
A smartphone today is the most essential and private thing you have. This is as far from "zero dependence" as you can get.
> they think they have an alternative in Huawei and friends
Do Huawei phones work for banking in your country? If yes, does it mean, Google Play / integrity isn't necessary?
Huawei phones have their own alternatives to Play Services; none of the banks work on pure ungoogled and un-everything Android. You have to use a locked device which you have zero control over in any case.