[SonicTheSith]

Whether or not Apple has a monopoly is difficult to say, especially in the traditional / original sense.

The thing is, let us take the US as an example, even though there is a duopoly between IOS and Android, depending on the social circle people may not have a real choice. Remember the green bubble blue bubble fiasco in that even children are peer pressured into getting an iPhone. And until Apple won't offer iMessage on Android with exactly the same features IOS user are kind of forced to staying on IOS or look for other less wane friends. If this bind is gone, the argument we often hear here: "just buy an android" becomes valid.