If you really have a difficult time distinguishing any difference between Apple's and Google's business models, I don't know how to even begin explaining to you.
If you want to use a smartphone, you basically get to decide who you trust more with the device that holds a lot of your digital life: Apple or Google. I know how Apple makes its money, and I know how Google makes its money. This makes the decision very, very easy.
Your argument basically is "yeah, I know one of these companies is already actively exploiting my data for profit and the other isn't, but hypothetically they might some day in the future so that means they're indistinguishable from each other today". Which makes it close to impossible to treat you as arguing honestly and in good faith.
My point is that an object that you don't control can't be trusted for privacy, that's all. Both iphones and stock android phone fits in this category, you don't control any of those.
Edit : If Apple change it's business model and decide to use the data gathered, what do you do? It's exactly the problem of privacy, having control of the data you consider private. Controlling data over time is a really important part.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/14/google-paying-apple-3-billio...
If I'm also not mistaken, you have the obligation to use the apple store to install app, so the app you are using are tracked. Even installing an app can give some very personal information (depending on the app of course).
I know it's not part of their business model so far, but they still collect and own a lot of your data.
As long as a phone comes with apps you can't remove (either if it is from google, apple or whatever manufacturer), I don't see how it can be trusted.