iPhone is pretty accessible - the SE is a bargain at $399 given the features and how long Apple supports their devices. You only spend $1000 if you are adamant about the “Pro” line.
Ouch. That's a lot more than a refurb Android. And given we have 4 people in the household, it would add up to quite a bit. My son's cell phone went missing, and showed up on the sidewalk outside the school, crushed.
That’s not a genuine comparison though, because you can get refurb/s&d iPhones for even cheaper. On Swappa you can get iPhones for ~$200 and still run the latest iOS version on them. I doubt an Android for $200 is something I’ll feel comfortable with on the long run.
And this is coming from someone who has been on the Android train since Donut times. I reluctantly switched once the 12 mini came out.
Indeed I'm also paying a price in aesthetics and marketing. I'm familiar with the appeal -- I used Apple products in the mid 90s. And I ride a second-hand bike.
