What's the alternative, iOS? That's great for people with financial stability in developed nations, but that leaves out swathes of those in developing nations.

Old & new previous-gen iPhones are available at Android prices, including “free with contract” (in the US at least).

They aren’t cutting edge, but neither are the equivalently priced Androids.

I have an Android dev phone that cost £19, no contract, about half-to-a-third the price of a then-equivalent second-hand iPhone. In third world countries even a £19 device is worth stealing, as a friend of my partner experienced.

Wow, that is cheaper than I expected. What brand?

Vodafone sold it (pay as you go, no contract) with only their brand visible, but I think it’s an Alcatel device under the paint. The model is no longer being made, but their current cheapest model is almost as cheap.

Old iPhones are still prohibitively expensive in developing countries. Brand new low/midrange Android phones usually cost half or less.

Good catch. Didn't even think about that.

F-Droid