In terms of their computers, there has absolutely been a decline in quality, but in terms of their other product lines (and you specifically mention phones), I don't really think this is correct.
I mean in terms of phones, the iPhone X is pretty much top of the line -- are there other phones that exceed it in a meaningful capacity? Bezel-free design, face recognition, fake-DLSR like camera effects, etc.
There's plenty of phones on par with the iPhone that blow it away in the cost department. Android hardware has had good screens, good cameras, good specs, and plenty of screen unlock gimmicks (face recognition unlock was introduced ~3 years ago if my memory is correct), and all of that usually well before an iPhone ever did; the iPhone's only compelling feature is that the stock software is kept pretty slim (but even that is slowly slipping away as Apple loses focus).
What Android hardware severely lacks is manufacturers that aren't bound and determined to destroy their products with shitware. It doesn't help that the platform isn't obnoxiously marketed as a social/economic statement, either.
The iPhone’s CPU is literally years ahead of comparable Android devices, with today’s flagship Android devices comparable to an iPhone 6s in terms of performance. One or two other devices may have a camera that matches Apple in terms of a spec here and there, but iPhone is still the gold standard. The fact you call Samsung and others’ garbage face unlocking from 3 years ago gimmicks might be the most accurate thing in your post, but those never worked reliably and in no way compare to Face ID.
And then you finish by noting that most Android OEMs require you to use their shit version of the OS. Well then, real convincing argument when the most critical part of any computer is garbage. This place is insane...
The Pixel 2 camera absolutely destroys the iPhone X. I have both and I've done a lot of side by side comparisons and my results jibe with all the online reviews that pick the Pixel. Apple is way behind here.
And that's on the back camera. On the front facing camera the quality gap is even bigger.
I thought the "face recognition" on Android 3 years ago was 2D and easily fooled with a likeness printed on a piece of paper? Not exactly equivalent, like a lot of "specs" that don't stand up to deeper inspection.
> What Android hardware severely lacks is manufacturers that aren't bound and determined to destroy their products with shitware.
This, plus lack of/severely delayed software updates in the face of critical security bugs.
> and is likely what is contributing to their lackluster sales numbers at that price point.
I think the price tag alone has a significant impact on iPhone X's sale not withstanding the effect that the older iPhones (especially 6s) are holding up really well if you don't want or need a better camera.
I mean in terms of phones, the iPhone X is pretty much top of the line -- are there other phones that exceed it in a meaningful capacity? Bezel-free design, face recognition, fake-DLSR like camera effects, etc.