I am an apple phone user from iPhone1. (While I do not consider myself apple fanboy, switching to android phone is just too much hustle), I have not purchased dongles for myself ever. I have purchased one dongle for my family - for daughter to use it with her headphones, (but androids are not better here with headphone jacks). I do not want to spend much money on my phone, so I buy top model of the phone and wait about 5 years before I switch. Apple is excellent with software updates so all the iPhones always run the latest software. I suspect this would not work as well with droids - software support at least few years ago was less long. So I totally think that I save money with iPhones. Also, have you looked at flagman android phone prices? They are similar or even more expensive than iPhone.
I do understand, of course, that different patter of phone usage may lead to androids being better/cheaper for other people, but not for everyone.