I think you just answered this yourself 
Well… Do the PCIe interfaces work for attaching a WiFi modules? Are the NICs usable? Can I boot OpenWrt?
If yes, then it basically does all what I need it to do. 
yes, yes and yes. but depending on the need, with flaws.
R4Pro base support is applied for next so it lands in next LTS kernel (6.19)
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/mediatek/linux.git/log/?h=for-next
- SFP need pcs and usxgmii patches
- eth-mux requires phy-port representation series when going mainline
- 10G phy needs mainline driver updated (currently working with christian marangi on it)
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who’s gonna backport to openwrt? 
It is not even complete…i guess daniel will work on it if he finished r4lite (not yet asked if he have a board for testing). Openwrt should also support the phy and sfp and mux when backporting.
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Will the board be available on ali-express after the pre-sale?
Or will there be a slight delay until the patches are merged upstream first?
The upstreaming is independ of hardware sale. The base support (bootup,temp,usb,pcie,management-ethernet-port) will reach 6.19 (next LTS) when it is out…i guess daniel will backport this too,possibly with additional patches i cannot send upstream because of missing base (usxgmii/pcs, ethmux, downstream phy driver).
Any rough estimate for when the board will be available on ali?
I’m impressed, For once a board with proper upstream support.
As i said,some parts are still missing (same for R4) which cannot be upstreamed currently as there is discussion on base frameworks (pcs/phy-port). If this is solved i can upstream dts for full sfp support and the ethmux. Maybe we found out why mainline phy driver does not work first.
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