When can I buy parts at a reasonable cost?
I hope we'll gradually see decent alternate compatible parts, with a better self-fixability.
How much does it cost to replace a similar part on an Android phone released the same year?
For Android: I have actually asked the repair shop a few minutes ago, and the answer ranges between 50€ and 400€ depending on the actual model, because the Android market is much more diverse (EDIT: for Android phones released around the same period).
But with a more low-end Android phone, you can get cheaper repairs.
I still hope that a bit more options for parts will lead to lower prices, because I prefer to keep devices as long as possible.
An iPhone SE uses high quality parts that are highly durable.
An iPhone SE, as you noted, is on the low to mid range for repair when compared to other smart phones.
If you use a low-end Android phone you can get cheaper repairs. Presumably because they’re cheaper, lower quality parts.
I’m not entirely sure what the complaint is about.
There is just a hope that a more open situation on iPhones will lead to cheaper yet decent quality repairs for older iPhones, so that it is more encouraging to repair rather than replace.
I think that’s it’s unlikely to see much lower prices (while maintaining quality) given that Android has that more open repair situation yet the iPhone repair pricing is on the low-mid range even now for high-quality, high-durability parts.
To make them cheaper, with high quality and high durability you need the volume pricing that Apple commands from suppliers.