> what’s the point of having an iPhone Air or any other premium built phone at all?

The ecosystem?

Its a phone, not a tank.

People not using cases on their phone are insane to me. I can't even sit these spaceships down on a non-flat surface without them sliding off. They're the thickness of playing cards.

Similar to: "I bought my phone for identity, for style, for a feeling if being on the technology edge."

Yeah, I bought a phone with a web browser in an ecosystem I like.