I think the pressure is immense in the US. TBH I was getting the iPhone at 150 net due to a deal. While I spent 300 on the Pixel. I dont believe iPhones are expensive as such because everybody I know buys them through deals. But I think it is a clique- like a high school clique and they will pressurize you to buy it. To me, the iPhones are similar to diamonds- they are both meaningless and cost inflated and just to show people that you bought it. In reality, their value is kind of eh.

My problem with iPhones is the battery and build quality. iPhones break very easily in my experience- many of my friends have broken ones, my 6 broke twice in 1 year. Now with the glass back? Ha. Plus the battery used to barely last me 3 hours.. The stand by battery was good but when I actually used the phone, it would die. I cannot justify these two as my "cheap" android (that cost me same as iPhone on deal) lasts 2 days and is like a brick. To me, product should be worth it. I know people who take really nice care of their phones so their iphone does not work. They also carry batteries and charge phone in car, etc. for them it might be ok.