Exactly. And I'm so surprised by how many people on HN (smart people who understand psychology) don't seem to understand that people don't use rational arguments (security, specs, price, etc) when making purchase decisions.

Even if alternative smartphone exist, the iPhone is still all about status signaling. It's about implicitly communicating that you are part of the successful tribe. And Apple watches are now another such symbol.

Lol I bought an apple because it doesn't try to find out every aspect of my behavior and then send it off to 3rd part advertisers. also they get updates for 2-3x as long as android phones. The specs are close enough and I see my phone as a tool and most people I know do as well. I can't say I've ever heard someone say "ewwwwww you have an android?" . Maybe teenagers say that crap, but I've never heard an adult care.

I generalized of course. I know some people use more rational (less subconscious) reasons for buying Apple products.

But it is nevertheless useful to use generalizations and ignore the outliers (like you, for example) for understanding trends and social phenomena. People like us reading hacker news are statistically insignificant.

iPhones cost about the same amount as the equivalent from Samsung and Google though? The value per dollar on Apple products is very competitive.