I agree that this is profit maximization, but the only monopoly Apple has is on sucking less than others at particular things that particular niches care about

I agree that this is profit maximization, but the only monopoly Apple has is on sucking less than others at particular things that particular niches care about (privacy, UX, ecosystem integration come to mind). A non-Apple device will do all the same stuff. It just might not do it the exact way you like out of the box. I pay the Apple tax (albeit exceedingly infrequently) because I can afford it & it reduces friction in my life, not because I have no other options.