I could, the S8 is a good example, and it can be purchased new for 750. I may very well get the S8, I'm undecided tbh. I do enjoy the iOS experience, and I'm well invested in the ecosystem. The point I was making is that Apple is charging a hefty amount, no matter how you slice it, and there are other phones on the market for less using the same features.
I agree with the bolded. Do those other phones perform at the same level (hardware, software, and integration wise) as the iPhone. The answer is subjective and can only be answered by each individual user.
At times, I do think that a,b and c features should already be on the iPhone. And then I realize, that Apple may not think said features would integrate well enough at the moment, they have something better, or are going in a different direction.
In my mind, the benchmark should not be keeping up or even surpassing what other companies may do each year. For me, the standard is does my current product or new product from Apple meet my wants or needs on several different tiers. If it does, it really doesn't matter to me what the other companies are doing, unless their product offering can integrate into my Apple ecosystem at the same level or higher, that I am pleased with.
As to price, I do agree that Apple is going higher and higher, thus giving me pause at times, which isn't a bad thing, as it gives one a chance to truly compare a want to a need, not to mention dollars versus features benefit.
I may be in the minority around here, and that is fine if that is the case. I prefer Apple to do what they do the best they can each and every time, instead of worrying about being across the finish line first every time to beat Samsung.
