Many might not have a choice. If you need a SmartPhone and can’t afford an iPhone, you’re out of options. Most of the apps people actually need has to be installed via the Play Store.

You basically get a (more) privacy focus OS from a luxury brand or you get your OS from an advertising company.

I don't, but I have no other alternative that feels better to me.

1. Buy a standard android but spend ages trying to de-google it.

2. Buy an iphone, but then I just have to trust another trillion $ company, and pay much more too.

3. Live my life without a phone.

I choose 1 because that seems the least worse option right now.

For one, I don't. But since having a smartphone is mandatory, I have one.