About five years ago, non-tech folk would switch from Apple (which was paid for by family) to Android (which is what they could afford entering the job market). As a tech geek, I actively pursued Android offerings with the latest stuff (waterproofing! encryption!) and got good results from it. The general rule was to buy a phone from the manufacturer and use the base OS rather than the hobbled offerings from the telecommunications stores.

I own both, a iphone X for work and a cheap Motorola G series phone (200 euro).

I prefer my Android phone, the customization, ease of use. With Android you feel more like an Admin, iphone you are just a user for overpriced stuff

If people give me shit about my Android phone, I point out that their phone can fold exactly once before they'll need a new one. Android is still the only option for power users.

Effective marketing.

only reason I have an iphone is that the mini's are so awesomely small. Never will return to a phone larger than 5.4!

but that's for convenience and I never ever see a phone as a status symbol. I mean the are basically all the same and can do all the same, so why the fuzz?