I think is a matter of opinion and taste. As you said, you can not compare
one thing or another. One is hardware and the other is software. I didn't
meant to say that we should support samsung phones as much as support
replicant and participate on its community, which may mean you may have to
use a cellphone to participate on it.
I use to think that creating our own device was a better way, but then I
realize that would left out many people which own and android phone already,
which is the majority.
In any case, is a matter of opinion and taste what you consider is the way to
go, and what you prefer to support the better.