Right like someone who can only afford a $100 phone can buy the cheapest iPhone which is 5x more expensive.

This is about like the geeks who hate the idea of ad supported services and think that everyone should just pay for every service they use.

FWIW: I do exclusively buy Apple devices, pay for streaming services ad free tier, the Stratechery podcast bundle, ATP and the Downstream podcasts and Slate. I also pay for ChatGPT and refuse to use any ad supported app or game.

I think that OP's point was that the alternative is even more locked down. There is no option for people who don't want to be nannied.