>>fsflov+(OP)
As long as AOSP and its various flavors continue to be viable alternatives, Android is still better than Apple. If you run Lineage or Graphene, I'm sure you can still "sideload" just fine.
>>aftbit+t5
Google works pretty hard (e.g. with SafetyNet/Play Integrity) to ensure those are only viable alternatives for people with a very high level of technical sophistication and tolerance for hassle.