Yes the money is very real.Add it all up, the iPhone 7 is a massive increase in cost for what looks like very little gain. Back to the thread title, it's why I won't transition to the new iPhone for the first time in a decade. If Apple wants to hurt me financially with the new-every-two model, that's fine, I can fight back by holding on to the older iPhone for another year or two, it functions very well thank you. It's gone from play money to real money now.
Setting aside the small details and differences, the closet comparison between handsets of different platforms is my iPhone 6S Plus vs my Nexus 6P. I wouldn't part with either.
Both are premium aluminum, nearly the same size, each is 64GB, 5.5" vs 5.7" displays, each are the finest in there respective families.
The Big Difference is in the Price!
$849 for my iPhone 6S Plus
$475 for my Nexus 6P
You've got to really want that fruity logo.
Ironically price aside, my absolute favorite in the whole wide world is the Nexus 6P...