Part of the problem with trying to reuse smartphone and tablet e-waste as alternatives to SBCs or servers is how much flexibility is dependent on a single MicroUSB/USB-C port. Say that the touch screen is busted and gliding your finger potentially brings glass shards. Your best chance is that your USB hub has an HDMI/DP output and it automatically works for both Android and any other ARM compatible OS.
If it doesn't work, one now has to tinker with LVDS/eDP output on the level of SMD pins and pads.

Getting guitarists to do basic soldering of 3-way switches and potentiometers is already a challenge, and I strongly doubt the average 'techie' influencer or person has the patience or knowledge to work on SMDs.

And this doesn't even touch on enabling more I/O than just video!

>Why even install Linux, Android has all the important stuff like Termux and Obsidian and Emacs!
One just ends up with a good amount of performance left on the table, especially if one is using the factory install and not AOSP/Lineage. Android is functionally like any other proprietary OS where they will push back against any attempts to pare back or remove unnecessary features or programs.

>Just get an SBC
Show me a Cortex A53 board with 4GB DDR4 memory under $45 total, and I've share with you a feature complete ReactOS.