There was a time when it was true that using a non-stock android distro was hard, I use CalyxOS now, i installed it by plugging it in and running the installer on my computer, and i never had to think about it again, just installs the OS updates in the background every couple weeks.

As for the idea that an iPhone is more secure, thats very unlikely to be true since the code is secret, so its apple V. every govt and millions of other adversaries, their licensing makes them alone in that battle, security researchers are not allowed to help. There is no indication that one should place any trust in them and plenty of indication that it is foolish to do so. Apple products are statistically garenteed to be insecure in ways that Apple cannot yet see and that the public has no hope of seeing either. And they are surely insecure in ways that are profitable to Apple because well profit is the whole point.

I suppose willful ignorance is willful bliss.