I think the "Linux hasn't succeeded on its own merits" argument isn't quite apt. Arguably, Windows didn't succeed on its own merits, either--it was a "good enough" platform backed by significant business acumen and, with time, platform lock-in.
That said, it does feel a little strange to credit Linux at large for what is largely an Android revolution. A good parallel is Unix and OS X; however purely Unixy the core is, it would still feel awkward to count Apple's market share under "Unix."
That said, it does feel a little strange to credit Linux at large for what is largely an Android revolution. A good parallel is Unix and OS X; however purely Unixy the core is, it would still feel awkward to count Apple's market share under "Unix."