But no everyone wants an analytical review of the phone, some people just want to know the opinion of the reviewer on what he is reviewing.

I really liked that Vlad opinion piece. First he was obviously using hyperbole, he doesn't think the iPhone is akin to Notre Dam. Secondly he explains why the iPhone gets the attention and good press. It's the most iconic, well known and best selling every year with a great track record for customer satisfaction. Is there a phone manufacturer with such good track record as Apple? No. So as the leading smartphone of the last 10 years of course it is going to be use as reference to compare every phone and of course the media is going to give it the most attention, because it is what generates money. That creates bias in the media, because they give more attention to the iPhone. He wasn't saying that he is bias towards apple in a sense that he will give them a better review, but a bias of attention. At least that what I took from the article, and of course you can have a different reading from mine.

To be clear I don't really like the iPhone, not fond of the general UI. But if someone ask for a recommendation every year the iPhone is one of the phones I recommend.