I've been fighting this stuff for years. At some point, the best way to fight is just to stop giving them money.
The cost/benefit ratio of having a smartphone is no longer favorable, so I won't have one. That seems like a reasonable stance. I don't know what's unwise about it -- whether or not I own a smartphone will not affect the world in any way.
> whether or not I own a smartphone will not affect the world in any way
But it will: in addition to not giving money to Qualcomm and co, I am giving money to the alternatives and constantly reminding all banks and organizations that alternative systems exist apart from the duopoly (whenever they offer me their apps).
I figure that to the extent anybody is paying attention, I am reminding everyone that there is at least some business being lost because of their abusive practices.
I don't need to go to all the hassle of trying to validate what phones and apps are safe or not to make the point.
