> Google seems just as bad tbh.

It is a difference for Google to advertise their browser on their properties (eg Youtube) versus Apple hijacking the search bar of some other browser, and in general not allowing third parties to provide full browsers in the Apple App Store (and not just a shim which mandatorily has to use Safari behind the curtains)

And the Gmail app on iOS and iPad will never open in default browser window. It always opens in a capture browser window that defaults to chrome.

I don't want Apple's shitty AppStore on my iPhone. I'd like to replace it, but I can't because Apple doesn't think I should be able to install apps that aren't approved by Apple. They can go fuck off as well.