Yeah. I hope to change my next year for a top level Android if I get a job, if not I'll probably keep it two years.
Sure, if you count Samsung, Panasonic, Sanyo, Sharp, Intel... who all make parts for the iPhone as one maker... not a single hardware part is made by Apple.
They're more expensive then the Android phones of the same class, and more expensive than top of the line Androids.
The providers have to pay Apple for the phones... If they have to pay more the plans are more expensive.
Like I said, more expensive plans are also because the phone is more expensive for the providers.