I don't think we do... I already addressed your firmware point and I believe I said proper Custom ROMs. If you're calling GrapheneOS, DivestOS, CalyxOS or LineageOS and many more as unsecure and claim they don't have up to date security patches I don't know what you're talking about. Considering that the big Android brands such as Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi etc... Lags behind in such security updates as far as one year or never provide such security updates for old devices. You must be ignorant of this fact.

I have an OnePlus 7T Pro which was released in October 2019 and I bought it in 2020 and I still use it with the latest Android and security patches thanks to Custom ROMs. Mean while OnePlus doesn't provide any updates since January 2023. So, by your claim my phone would be more secure with 2023 security patches than having a proper Custom ROM that has 2026 security patches. Tell me you see what's wrong with your claim please.

These Custom ROM projects are followed very closely by the community, like Linux project. They provide proper support via Android Open Source unlike your claims to reverse engineered drivers, because the companies are legally forced to provide their source codes. Some companies do it in a timely manner some do it late. From my personal experience phones that have Qualcomm chip sets don't have problems with having the drivers and source codea. Only the proprietary chipset such as Samsung's exynos and Mediatek are the problem that needs the revers engineered drivers.

So, to sum up, no, we don't talk past each other! It's clear you don't know what you're talking about when it comes to Custom ROMs, Android Open Source, how the software and firmware works on Android.