The argument that users should have the option to control their own phone (which perhaps only a small fraction of users would select) seems pretty reasonable, b

The argument that users should have the option to control their own phone (which perhaps only a small fraction of users would select) seems pretty reasonable, but what if it less about Apple execs being control freaks, and more about support costs. I can certainly imagine that if even less than 1% of Apple users exercised the option to escape from Apple control, that small fraction could have support costs that quickly matched the support costs of the 99% that stayed in the garden. So perhaps Apple could a more-unlocked iPhone that enabled more user control, but cost 2 - 3X as much as the "locked" version. My guess is that even with a 50% surcharge, which would be unlikely to cover additional costs, it probably would not sell.