Google+ and ancillary Google spyware must be installed by default for playstore compatibility test suite to pass.

Is that pure android? Bloat? Crapware? Or just plain shit?

Apple also ships with a bunch of their apps that I would classify as crapware but unlike on Android I can't replace them as defaults with 3rf party apps of my choosing.

These also happen to coincide with the apps that you can't delete from your device. Apple refuses to give third-party developers access to sensitive APIs, such as those relating to the Phone app or SMS, due to the potential for abuse.

I think this is a valid criticism of stock android phones -- even ones sold directly by Google. But it's a slightly different criticism than the main crapware criticism here because FB is really a 3rd party.

I really do agree with your criticism though. People worry about FB's privacy issues, but then totally overlook all of Google's builtin privacy issues.

My pixel doesn't have google+ installed. But I can use the play store.

And I am not sure what spyware apps you are referring to.