All you are saying is that symbols of status and "brand loyalty" are more important to some buyers than features and functionality. That's just a fact about som

All you are saying is that symbols of status and "brand loyalty" are more important to some buyers than features and functionality. That's just a fact about some people. You might argue that it's foolish and irrational, but it doesn't change the fact or that people buy based on their personal criteria, which may be different to yours. Your choices are not intrinsically more rational than theirs. They value status. You don't. It would be silly of them to buy in the way you buy because they don't value the same things. Apple serves a very large market of people who consider status more important than features (if we accept your initial assertion). Their designs are made to appeal to that group.