Considering Apple charges a 40-60 % premium for last years products it damn well should be free.
Of course we know, nothing is truly free, unless it’s that Gubment money.
But, if you don’t like the offerings; there are a plethora of cheaper products from literally hundreds of other competitors.
People pay a premium for Apple, usually for a reason. Apple products tend to last longer, they tend to be built to a higher standard (and that costs money). Like most things in life; nice things cost more than commodity products.