No other phone manufacturer is that tightly HW/SW integrated.
Apple relies very heavily on customized silicon to provide an edge (Lower power consumption, for example, or extra features). This means that there might be a part out there that's sorta close, but not quite. Once Apple starts pushing their customized silicon, the off-the-shelf part doesn't keep up.
This is complete nonsense
Other phone manufacturers aren’t as prolific in updating the low level firmware of their devices once it’s on the market?