Apple sells around 200 million model year units at a profit of around $400 per device. That's $80 billion in potential profit, less R&D costs.
You think you can build something at least as compelling as the iPhone from the ground up for less than $80 billion? Apple is spending $30 billion on R&D a year just to improve what they already have! Good luck...
And you only get one year to capitalize on that investment, more or less. By year two, without even more investment, the competition will have you smoked with their latest offerings. You might not even get a whole year if they see you as a credible threat. Nothing says the iPhone must be released on a yearly schedule.
You think you can build something at least as compelling as the iPhone from the ground up for less than $80 billion? Apple is spending $30 billion on R&D a year just to improve what they already have! Good luck...
And you only get one year to capitalize on that investment, more or less. By year two, without even more investment, the competition will have you smoked with their latest offerings. You might not even get a whole year if they see you as a credible threat. Nothing says the iPhone must be released on a yearly schedule.