It's funny how some of the comments in this thread seem to be angled at Apple hate for a $1500 phone....that no one even knows is real or not.
There's no need to argue or complain about Apple or about pricing for a device that's purely conjecture.
NOW with that out of the way I'll mention two things, were this unicorn $1500 iPhone a reality:
- iOS. Say what you want, I've used Android and I've used Google and utterly and completely detest both. I don't like the way the screen is laid out, I don't like the minor animations...I just plain don't like the way the device operates. On top of that, Google as a company is one of the most detestable corporations on the planet. I used to say the same thing bout Microsoft, and I hated Windows Phone 7 until I used it firsthand (and then had to eat my words because I thought it was actually pretty slick). I'm very disappointed in some changes that dropped in iOS10 but it's still on an entirely different scale than Android.
- Build quality. Some of you don't care whether your device is plastic or metal. I do. The quality of the materials means much to me; and there's no denying that superior quality materials feel better, look better, and last longer overall. They also carry higher resale value. I've tinkered around with some "premium" (so called) Android phones and have been unimpressed at best with the build. I'm one of those people who owns little but it's most very good quality.
Would I pay $1500 for an iPhone? Hell no, but I buy my phones second hand anyway, so the price would be considerably less. Were it
the only phone Apple made, then yes I would buy one. I keep my phones for one or two years, so while that's mighty steep I can also rationalize that it's a device I used a lot every day, for work and fun.
I actually quite appreciate your describing it so well.
The audio difference between the Android and 7+ actual makes sense, the same stereo recording for the party video is the same stereo that's recording the tic tacs; but I'm an audio nut anyway - when I first read they removed the audio jack I was upset, then realized the audio signal is stronger (thus, generally better) from the power source anyway. I changed my mind on that front, plus I never charge and listen at the same time anyway.
The camera quality is very nice to know - I take pictures constantly with my phone.