I propose a compromise. I am willing to give up apple care, my warranty, and any and all support relating to my device in return for a permanent bootrom unlock key for my device. I am even willing to buy the device outright so that I can prove that I am not beholden to a contract with a carrier. This way, I can put whatever version of the iOS (that is compatible of course) I want on the devices I own. I can tinker to my heart’s content. I can upgrade, downgrade, and even sidegrade, if that were a real thing.
semaphore: Dear Apple
Not sure I want to customize anything on my devices — maybe I don’t care anymore and just want to use the damn thing — but I do understand that need.