> It’s not like they have to buy an iPhone.

I'm so sick of hearing this, the current smartphone market is an american megacorp duopoly, both of whom are locking down their phones to such a degree that you cannot even claim you own the hardware anymore. There is essentially no choice.

And not buying a smartphone is not a choice either, if you want to actually exist in the modern world.

Google is still held back by the fact that their Pixel line isn't selling. They can't dictate terms to Samsung or Xiaomi. Apple owns the hardware and software.