I phone and Apple products do not last. Do not invest in them

My I phone 11 only lasted a year and a few weeks before dying. It has not been abused, dropped or mistreated in anyway. I have the phone on contract with VODACOM the phone was a R19,000 unit at the time. I have been quoted a ridiculous R11,500 to repair the phone. I did not take insurance for malfunction, as I find it hard to believe that such an expensive item does not last even for the contract period. VODACOM admits that it is an electronic malfunction, but will not honor repairing without me paying this crazy amount. This reflects very badly on Apple products, and I will NEVER purchase an apple device again. The issue may well sit with Vodacom, however this is reflecting very badly on Apple products. I cannot find a single way to escalate this issue with Apple; I only get recorded options on the phone, none of which enable me to speak with someone about this shocking experience.