The alibi open source version of android that only runs on hardware in the +1000 USD range.
A bargain for a test device or a daily driver for the not so wealthy.
You want to change something? Want to be recognized for making anything better?
Port it on sub $200 devices.
That's where the masses are.
That's where you start the degoogle revolution. Where you can build a sustainable business.
You might be confusing LineageOS with GrapheneOS.
The device that I am typing this on (which runs LineageOS) cost me around $170 new.
GrapheneOS has support for all non-end-of-life Pixels including the budget 'a' series which are available at low prices for new devices. We don't continue indefinitely supporting devices lacking updates to firmware, drivers, HALs and in practice also upstream kernel updates once those become unreasonably insecure. We do provide extended support past end-of-life but we stop once we believe it's doing more harm than good by encouraging people to use insecure devices and especially to buy those to use it against our advice. It's a privacy and security project so we can't reasonably have official support for devices where it's highly insecure.
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Did you even check the device list? Half of the chinese models are $200 or less. It's never been a price question