Intangibles, intrinsic values, and technicalities aside, the iPhone and Google Pixel offer too many compromises.
Apple: No wireless charging or quick charging, awful bulk with the Plus models, only a LCD panel, doing away with the headphone jack, lobotomized virtual assistant, amongst other things. The iPhone prices are expected to go up higher than they already are. The 7+ 128gb is $850 USD before tax, which is absurd for a new phone.
Google Pixel: Good luck finding one because the availability is low along with device financing flexibility. Google admitted they didn't include water resistance because they wanted to release the Pixel/XL asap. Pricing is too high, especially when you have limited channels, which makes you wonder why water resistance wasn't included in the first place? The Pixel XL doesn't feel as premium as other devices either.
With the OP3, you know you have an AMOLED screen, moderate VR support, incredibly fast quick charging, a high end processor, 6gb of RAM (stays more relevant with spec trends), a decent camera, a fast fp scanner, decent software updates. Are there ideal financing options, no? It's not the iPhone, but still the OP3 is affordable.
Why do you think Samsung needed to add more RAM to the C9 Pro and possibly the S8/S8+ in China? The iPhone SE exists in China as well. Apple and Samsung are worried about China because many Chinese people do not want to spend outrageous sums of $ to get very little economic value. Intangibles, intrinsic values, and technicalities are what makes the distinction between spending $ on Apple and not. I can't argue against intangibles, intrinsic values, or technicalities because those are open to interpretation.
Does Apple, Google, and Samsung make great products? Yes, if not they wouldn't have customers. Do they make devices that are reasonably priced? To me and others, no. To some, yes. However, there is a line we all have at some point (with different products) that we refuse to pay for a product or service. $850 for a iPhone Plus model is way beyond my line.