The OS restriction aren’t merely based on the region settings, they are also based on Apple Account region/country and on the detected physical location of the device.
Most of them are, some are annoyingly missing. It’s possible to install apps from two different app store accounts, but it’s 10 times more annoying than on Android. Additionally, there are some EU only features, such as third-party NFC payments.
Apple’s performative DMA outrage is getting more pathetic by the iOS version.
You can easily change your account region back and forth on iOS. Meanwhile Android has a bunch of extra checks and includes a 12 months delay before being able to switch it again.
A family member lost years of irreplaceable photos and paid apps due to account lock, and doing this across two countries they were legitimately residing in triggered it.
In my experience it only locked me out (of just the payment or account settings I think) for like 24 hours when I switched like 4 times in a single day.
From my personal experience I found it easier as a user. I had no balance or subscriptions at the time so I could quickly switch regions back and forth to get all the apps I wanted.