Being real, not as long as it's limited to niche phones/devices and/or having to be installed by users. Otherwise, even if it eventually becomes perfect in every other way, it'll always be enthusiast level only.

That being said, a lot of the projects are reaching the point that all they need is oem support and they'll be ready to go as an oem level os.

The app market will follow that.

No. Until tap to pay works it’s a non starter.

I think they can. Obviously fundamental stability and features are still lacking, but we are getting very close there. Once the software works, I think a compatibility layer for android apps will make Linux a true alternative to android/iOS for enthusiast users.

For the mass market, Linux phones will only break through with OEM support. I'd have said that was impossible until Motorola announces their deal with Grapheme, so if someone adopts Linux and doesn't completely shit the bed, the ski will be the limit.

Become? Maybe. Is? No.