I've also struggled to install GrapheneOS and Calyx on my iPhone Pro Max. /s
(I actually do have both and definitely prefer the Pixel -- especially the cameras on the Pixel are amazing in low light, but it's a bit annoying how the official Gcam app seems to expect that Google photos is installed.)
How funny is it that the best way to de-Google is to buy a Google device, and that Apple is incredibly prescriptive about knowing exactly who you are, connecting to wifi, and getting your purchasing on file before you can even get through the initial setup on an iPhone.
The one thing I like about iPhone over Android is that the animations are a bit nicer and more polished, and the stock color scheme is pretty bright (but awful at night), and everything else about Android seems to be better.