I don't agree with this. Using cars as an example, isn't that basically like saying the Honda Civic only exists so that people buy the Accord? IMHO, both products exist but cater to different Customers based upon budget, perceptions of pricing, needs and desires.
You could also say that the Pro could downsell someone to a standard model: "well, I could save $200 and just go with the 14". I know people that have done that between the two tiers in the past as well, even here on this forum as well as friends.
I'd imagine the point really is to get people to buy phones and spend as much as possible (which is why upselling is also more important), but at least to buy into something. This year might be a bad example though in particular though if Ming-Chi Kuo is correct: "Apple's iPhone 14 Product segmentation strategy for standard models failed this year".
While it would seem a little early to be judging poor demand for Apple's new iPhone 14 line-up, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has weighed in negatively this morning regarding the standard iPhone 14.
www.patentlyapple.com