The system works!

This is very “You can’t fire me, I quit!” energy

Do you really think iOS users view iPhones as a status symbol? That seems like a major incompatibility right there.

It has nothing to do with wealth, iPhones are cheap.

As another commenter states, it’s about taste or “weirdness”. Similar to making assumptions based on clothing or clothing or other chosen attributes.

Ease of interaction.

Higher resolution photos, location sharing, in-line replies and emotes, etc etc

Group threads with a single Android user get annoying.

iPhones are popular. I grew up when almost nobody had cell phones or even pagers, and remember the exact same thing happening for having the wrong shoes, jacket, Trapper-Keeper, Walkman, bike, skateboard, etc. or, in high school or later, car. This is why there’s such a booming industry in counterfeit clothes or rapid knockoffs because certain people really prize being able to fit a trend.

If Google gets everything they ask for, the shallow people will instantly move on to something else because that’s how people like that work.

I think its similar to how people might prefer dating people who dress well, it's a reflection of their taste and what they value.

People judge you on your clothes, your shoes, your car, your hairstyle, so why not your phone?

Yes, but a few of the cousins/nieces I asked are in England.