Is Rocket Lab's Neutron Rocket a True Competitor to SpaceX's Falcon 9?

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Rocket Lab's Neutron rocket is being developed to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9, utilizing composite materials for its tankage and airframe. SpaceX initially explored composites for the Falcon 9 but ultimately chose stainless steel for its cost-effectiveness and thermal resistance. The Falcon 9 features aluminum tanks, with carbon fiber and aluminum used in the interstage and fairing. Neutron will employ an expendable second stage, allowing it to avoid the challenges of atmospheric re-entry at high speeds. This strategic design choice differentiates it from SpaceX's reusable approach.
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The Neutron is the rocket that Rocket Lab intends to compete with SpaceX's Falcon9. Still in development Rocket Lab is planning to use composites for tankage and airframe. Didn't SpaceX try this for the Falcon but abandoned it in favor of proprietary stainless steel?

https://www.teslarati.com/rocket-lab-reusable-neutron-rocket-first-hardware/
 
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The Falcon 9 tanks are aluminium, the interstage and fairing are carbon fiber plus aluminium.
SpaceX originally wanted to build Starship using carbon fibers and got a giant tool for it but then switched to steel - cheaper, faster to work with, and it can withstand higher temperatures.

Neutron will use an expendable second stage so it doesn't have to worry about atmospheric entry at orbital velocities. The first stage is much slower.
 

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