It should be noted - grimly, that is - that Apple typically push out a new version of iOS right before new hardware is released.
It doesn’t take a paranoid conspiracy buff to note that each new iOS version places greater demands on the hardware (see also: Microsoft Windows) in what they hope will be a self-perpetuating cycle of upgrades to deal with the speed issues.
It’s also obvious that milepost versions (eg 9.0, 10.0) of iOS are invariably bug-ridden disasters. Apple has more money than God or the US Mint but they are quite content to let their hapless, helpless user base be a worldwide army of beta testers. And when an obvious, insurmountable bug is encountered what is the advice or action from Apple with their trillions of dollars? They tell you ‘go post something in the user forums.’ THE USER FORUMS?!?! Since when is a stranger across town or on the other side of the globe responsible for the software and/or hardware that Apple sold?
The rapid, steep drop in problems is also probably down to these bugs being resolved although for reasons unknown Apple is not very forthcoming about specifics other than to say ‘fixes and improvements.’
I say all this as an Apple iPhone owner but one who is quite accustomed to their pattern of behavior.
No, they're not. They have a few minor problems that some users experience in the first roll out. They are ironed out within a couple weeks with point releases. No body, not even Apple, can find every minor bug on the first release. There are too many combinations of software/hardware interactions that people use for beta testers to try. All in all, they are usually pretty rock-solid for the majority of users. There is nothing that comes out that is a "disaster" as you put it. You are posting FUD, unadulterated FUD.
Frankly, I doubt you really own an iPhone. You are not one of the 750 plus members of the Apple Ping List. . . that tells me a lot. Trolls who post FUD usually try to give themselves some authority by claiming ownership of an Apple device. . . but your unmitigated claims of 'disaster" on updates when they don't happen the way you claim really is false.
Interesting theory - yet Apple releases early betas to developers to test, then to ANYONE who wants to sign up (for FREE) to we in the public beta program. These public betas go through many revisions to address user-reported problems across many device generations. Most iOS releases are relatively bug-free (relatively), and additional issues that arise on general release are almost always quickly addressed with follow-up updates quickly.
If your primary profit is in hardware, would you release the "latest and greatest" hardware (at a premium price) with the older OS that may not even support the new tech you are introducing in your product (without having to kludge together something that may or may not be reliable)?
The conspiracy nuts here on FR, particularly when it comes to Apple, are just as idiotic and ridiculous as the Leftist/Marxist 9-11 conspiracy theorists all over the vast Progressive matrix.
I am not alone in the experience of having Android devices that were absolutely hosed by Android updates (which are almost always manufacturer-specific and pushed out. Slowdowns are the least of your problem when manufacturer updates literally brick your device.