The fact that android wasn't closed like apple's ecosystem was the exact reason I rejected apple for android.

You aren't wrong. Only minor quibble is that a reason many of us use android is that it's been more open. Apple treats its customers like shit, and locking their hardware and software down like android is about to move even further toward, is all part of that overall contempt apple shows for customers. I would guess that if apple didn't lock their ecosystem so tight, Google may not have planned to make this change. They've probably been talking for years about how they can do it if apple gets away with it. They finally decided it was going to be worth pissing off a segment of users. Fucking assholes.

Yeah, it was cheaper and there's a much wider selection in different styles of phones running Android than just a one single type for Apple phones.

Like the glass back panel is an absolute non-negotiable for me and that already excludes iPhones.

Other aspect is price, iPhones are usually the most expensive choice and they don't have any features that justify that price tag in my eyes. So once again when choosing a new phone, iPhone is at the bottom of the list.

Then come all the useless additions, for me. Like an additional 5th camera lens or making it even thinner.
Single camera a decade ago was already good enough for me and phones have always been thin and light enough. No point to upgrade those anymore.

Make phones more durable, easily repairable, longer battery life. Previously gaming performance was a good addition, but nowadays most phones are powerful enough for simple games.

Last time i chose Blackview 9000, nearly a 1cm thick and 400+ gram behemoth of a phone. Battery lasting 2 days with full daily usage. Aluminum frame and using hex screws rather than adhesive. While the operating system isn't that open or good, mandatory ads after some update, the phone itself is solid.