It could be signalling one is a far more attractive target to exploit, because e.g. harden shell, soft interior (M&M architecture). Or maybe Apple patches quicker and gets them out quicker, so exploit lifetime is shorter. Just to be clear, I don't know if that's true, but it's equally plausible explanation for the exploit price

That's a good point- there are nine times as many Android devices out there as iOS devices, making exploits for the former more valuable in certain ways.

The people with iOS devices probably have 9-times the money mind you?

As far as I know the consensus is still that iOS is more secure. Of course there are different definitions of that. Certainly Android is more ripe for abuse by apps downloaded from the store, for example; they can run freely in the background and do things like draw UX over other apps.

Also, privacy != security. iOS is absolutely in a better position on privacy, even after this new development.

iOS has been worse for privacy for a very long time. You cannot even develop apps for your own device without telling Apple who you are or download apps without creating an Apple account. You cannot get your location without also sending it to Apple. Android suffers from none of these problems.

Theoretically, maybe, I have no idea. Realistically, not at all, considering that even flagship Android phones tend to receive updates with an insane delay (except Pixel ones), not even talking about non-flagships or any android phones that have been released 2+ years ago.

Last Android phone I have bought was Galaxy S8+, just a few months after the release. Had to wait about half a year (if not more) for the next major Android update after it had already dropped for Pixel devices.