It would be understandable if the user was presented a clear choice of extra features that required more hardware, versus less features and snappier performance.

Apple uses dark patterns to get you to update and then blocks the downgrade path. __That__ is the part that's infuriating.

I installed the last iOS update on my iPhone 4s because Apple explicitly wrote that older devices would become faster. The reverse was the case. This was when I decided to never again buy an Apple device.

I think that should be illegal.

If a consumer buys something, there should always be a way to return it to the state it was at the time of purchase.

If you truly want control of your device you simply cannot buy anything that runs iOS.

When Apple decides that the support for your iOS device ends, you have no choice but to upgrade, or risk running outdated vulnerable software.

The laptops, desktops are a different story since you can breathe new life to them by installing a free operating system.

You can’t put a laptop in my pocket and carry it around though.

The only realistic options for a smartphone are android and iOS. Between the two (and I have used both), I much prefer iOS.

Not for features or smoothness, mind you. I actually felt like my Android experience was better.

With google, however, I always felt like they were trying to sell me something and harvest my data through android. Not the case with Apple.

Of course you can run Android without the Google services eg. with LineageOS.