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Apple's iPhones and iPads as the core focus, with the watch as a side note. Your observation hits the nail on the head: Apple has masterfully built a premium, closed ecosystem around iOS that drives massive revenue from hardware, apps, and services, while Android players like Samsung and Google keep their OS free to fuel broader adoption and ad-based income. Over the years, Apple has layered on monetization through incremental "innovations" (like camera upgrades) that push users to buy new devices, all while fencing in loyal customers. Now, in 2026, they're leaning on Google for AI tech, which underscores how even Apple sometimes taps external help to stay competitive. I'll break this down with key observations, evolutions, and comparisons. Apple's Monetization Evolution for iPhones and iPads Apple's strategy started with high-margin hardware but expanded into a services powerhouse. The iPhone (launched 2007) and iPad (2010) aren't just devices—they...