End up like RIM? Are you serious? Do you have ANY idea how much CASH Apple has in the bank? LOL. No tech company in history has ever generated as much revenue from their hardware and software as Apple. And you can be sure the next generation phone will set another benchmark even though the 4S wasn't anything special.
As to Android phones being cheap, I don't call the Galaxy Note at $299 cheap though the build quality of Samsung doesn't even come close to Apple products. I think the other thing that makes Android phones difficult is that the software is not designed exclusively for each device like Apple. Therefore, you get an array of overlays that may or may not help performance, user experience etc.
I have been looking at Andriod phones for several months now, since I feel that the iPhone is boring in comparison. HOWEVER, the iOS is very stable, rarely has problems like many Android devices and is supported by the many Apple stores across the nation. The iPhone I have now was replaced FIVE times due to battery issues which went way beyond the warranty. You find Samsung, HTC or Motorola doing that will you? And no, I'm NOT dissing Android phone.. simply making a comparison.