There's lots of $1000 phones now. As with most Apple phone changes, the other OEMs and users complain at first ("no more headphone jack!", the iPhone-X front screen bevel) then end up doing it themselves.

And let's not forget some go higher than the iPhones like the $2000 Samsung Galaxy Fold.

Also, Apple always makes older gen phones available if you're price sensitive -- the iPhone 7 (and 8) is available starting at $300 on their site for example.