But there are two point really:
1. I think it's worth fighting (and they have had some success). 2. May telecoms vendors have volunteered more information than required in the past, I think it's unlikely Apple would.
Moveover, just having a large company challenge these issues changes the political environment.
Apple builds iOS to sell hardware. Google builds Android to vacuum up more data to sell.
Have you had a look at the iOS Security white paper [1]?
"Spotlight Suggestions never sends exact location, instead blurring the location on the client before sending."
"iOS also uses a randomized MAC address [...] so it can’t be used to persistently track a device by passive observers of Wi-Fi traffic."
Spotlight: "Unlike most search engines, however, Apple’s search service does not use a persistent personal identifier across a user’s search history to tie queries to a user or device; instead, Apple devices use a temporary anonymous session ID for at most a 15-minute period before discarding that ID."
Apple Pay: "Full card numbers are not stored on the device or on Apple servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is created, encrypted, and then stored in the Secure Element. This unique Device Account Number is encrypted in such a way that Apple can’t access it."
iMessage: "Apple does not log messages or attachments, and their contents are protected by end-to-end encryption so no one but the sender and receiver can access them. Apple cannot decrypt the data."
FaceTime: "The audio/video contents of FaceTime calls are protected by end-to-end encryption, so no one but the sender and receiver can access them. Apple cannot decrypt the data."
"Location Services can be turned off using a single switch in Settings, or users can approve access for each app that uses the service. [...] Additionally, users are given fine-grained control over system services’ use of location information."
Plus you have fine-grained controls for access to microphone, camera, pictures, etc. per app. Has Android caught up with that, or is it still all or don't use the app?
[1] https://www.apple.com/business/docs/iOS_Security_Guide.pdf
All of those features don't matter if there's a backdoor, and from what I read of the FBI case there is one they just foolishly closed it.
But i could never believe the "user rights" thing. They may stand up in a few cases, but ultimately this kind of thing lies beyond their reach. I don't trust any phone maker with data.