Which is really weird because I thought it didn't, per https://www.theregister.com/2025/05/07/linux_kernel_drops_48...

Maybe there's some detail I don't quite follow, like is has support for 486, but only those with a built in FPU?

pretty sure 486 support only _just_ got disabled, and will be gone with 7.1: https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-7.1-Phasing-Out-i486

Not for long anymore, apparently.