>> the alternative was people's phones being infested with malware and viruses.

That's a very weak argument. Actually this is a part of Apple's marketing for ignorant people.

I have been using various Linux distros and Android phones for years and never got a malware and virus because: - I install software from trusted sources or compile from the source - I keep SW, OS and kernels up-to-date - It is getting harder and harder to exploit modern systems thanks to improved sandboxes in browsers, namespaces, ASLR and other techs

What people just need is a bit of training on how to use a computer. They don't need Apple.