This is my instinct as well. I'm really surprised how many people here seem to think that just buying the status symbol a) will solve the problem and b) imparts the right lesson.
Seems like the kid never wanted an android phone. Why buy him one when there are plenty of iPhones at S20 prices? Don't force your kid to go to church, and don't make them choose your ideological side on Android vs iPhone.
And I say this as someone who really doesn't like Apple and has only had Android phones.
Because it often solves the problem. When someone is seen as "the other" because of some criteria, and you change those criteria, they are no longer "the other".
You can also buy them a pump gun and teach them how to deal with bullies, but that's being frowned upon.
