I am not the right market for flagship phones because I don't have thousands of dollars to put towards disposable income, but I would expect a premium phone to come with a premium warranty and repair service... Do they typically not?
replyNo they don't. Even waterproof phones damage due to simple water spill get denied warranty (even from Apple).
replyhttps://www.apple.com/applecare/
replyAppleCare specifically covers water damage of any kind, and is what I would assume OP would be referring to as a "premium warranty and repair service".
That isn't my read.
replyApplecCare is as much a warranty as their Apple's phone are guaranteed waterproof.
It's marketing.
The 3 year warranty add-ons is an insurance. One can get an insurance for any device.
Eh... get protection plan, or trade up every year for big discount on the next flagship. Or with AT&T plans you are getting a "free" phone fairly often if you don't intend to leave the carrier for a few years (most people wont). The parent comment you replied to makes some assumptions that you have to spend full price all at once every year which is false. Also, there's almost always a deep discount on Pixel phones around most holidays.
replyAnd if you truly are ultra budget $300 phone guy then sure this doesn't apply to you.