Speaking as someone who escaped the Apple jail I don't feel as if I've lost anything at all.

I've now got a phone I can install GrapheneOS on, which I have, so it's secure and private and I control what runs on it.

I have a laptop I can actually upgrade and repair myself without paying some condescending store clerk calling themselves a "genius" $900.

It's even modular. I can switch out the ports or replace one with extra storage and soon cool third party stuff like a dedicated DAC.

I can run whatever OS I like on it. Ubuntu works very reliably. If you prefer Windows or dual boot you can do that too.

I finally cancelled Apple Music in favour of Qobuz. No regrets at all. In fact I owe someone 420 sats for recommending it to me.

What is it I'm meant to be missing here? Overpriced hardware I don't actually own but many people consider a status symbol because it has a fruit logo on it?

I like to stay humble but I'll just say if I wanted to flex, my wristwatch is a much bigger flex than any piece of disposable consumer technology.