http://www.bbc.com/news/business-31012410
They don't appear to be doing too badly.
I recently purchased an unlocked Note 4 for the following reasons:
A) Removable storage
Removable battery
C) Unlocked, off-contract from a retailer selling approx. $200 below retail
I was comparing both the 6 Plus and the N4, which won out for the above reasons. However the reason I wanted a removable battery was in case the stock battery wouldn't cut it, like the pathetic slab that came with my S4. So I'd have an option to throw in an extended battery, if I were to need it. My experiences with iPhones in the past have been generally favorable with regards to their power management, so a removable battery wouldn't be as big a concern. There are Android phones with sealed batteries and no external storage as well, the Nexus 6 and the new S6, to name two.
Removable storage is also very nice, but to be honest my usage hasn't exceeded ~30 GB so it wouldn't be a deal breaker.
Then there's the price. $200 below than retail sweetened the deal.
As for 3c phones, consider how much more you'd be paying over the course of that contract term versus buying the phone outright. With the installment plans now available if you aren't able to front the full cost of the phone, the contract plans make zero sense, "3c" phone or not.
So I don't come off as some sort of Apple apologist, I own a Galaxy Tab S and an S4 currently. But I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the iPad as the best tablet hands down for the sheer number of apps, ease of use, and general polished feel of the user experience.