Search “tool only” and you’ll find tons of power tools with no batteries. You have to own their batteries already. For example, I own about 20 dewalt tools and only 3 batteries. When I buy a new tool, it’s usually cheaper for me to buy dewalt because I have the batteries. Most manufacturers do this, or the common ones you’ll find in big box retail. I’m not sure if it’s US only thing though.

I don’t buy the wealth/income factor. A company prices their products and if you can’t afford it, you shouldn’t buy it. That’s a pretty universal concept.

>I own a number of power tools, I've never seen one come without a necessary component for basic operation.

it's very common for power tools to be sold "body only", i.e. without a battery or charger

To add to this clarification, the reason is that the power tools from one company typically have interchangeable battery packs, therefore if you have purchased a few full sets with battery and charger, often you do not need more, therefore tools can be purchased "body only".

Here is an example: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-HP-18V-Brushless-Cordl...

Edit: GP asked for link to tool that costs similar to an iPhone that is body only, here's one priced at $2500: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-18V-LXT-Lithium-Ion-Cordl...

Thanks for the link!

So, I own some Makita equipment. There's a big difference in what Makita is doing and what Apple is doing. Makita sells a baseline product with no battery for the reasons you mentioned at $2500, they sell a bundle with two 5 Ah batteries and a charger for an extra $100, and you can buy batteries and a charger separately for significantly more: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-18V-LXT-Lithium-Ion-High-... (This is one battery with less amp hours)

Apple lets you buy the phone and charger separately; there is no bundle.

I asked for links. I've never bought something like a drill or battery operated saw that didn't come with a battery. Did they come with drill bits or a blade? Not always, but I think a customer can expect a battery and a way to charge it.

You can usually buy it both ways, with or without the batteries.

You can buy most cordless power tools “bare”, without battery+charger. Because those are a significant portion of the cost and if you already have several tools in that family, you probably don’t want to pay for another battery. (Or charger…. I admit to having a couple duplicate chargers, which bugs me.)