You see, it's hard to fault the product you paid thousand(s) of dollars because, to some, this implies in also faulting their own decision making process, which is painful.

The walled garden, predatory behaviour from Apple takes this to a new height. Because once you're invested enough in Apple gadgets that mostly only integrate and depend on other Apple products, you might have to fault your decision of spending $10k+, which is just too painful to most.

I go in eyes wide open and I’m fine with it.

I know the product is optimized for compactness and efficient use of space. It’s optimized for ruggedness, and water resistance.

I would never do a self-repair and expect the cover to be held on with Phillips screws and a bulky o-ring.

And if I choose to do a self-repair I fully expect that I’ll need to buy expensive tools I can’t use with any other brand. And I don’t expect Apple to create a manual for “how to do janky iPhone repairs at home with a multi-tool and silicone caulking”

I’m well aware that if this is not the kind of phone I want, then I’ll keep looking for another phone manufacturer.

It’s like buying a Porsche and complaining it’s hard to fit a car seat in or ask “why isn’t there room for hauling building materials”. If I want those things I don’t look at Porsches.