IOS users: Do you really need to pay for the apps before you can download it?

I plan to buy an iPhone, but they said that you have to pay for the apps there?

This is Apple, of course you do.

There are free apps and there are paid apps, the free ones are obviosuly free and you don't need to pay anything. This is how it works, doesn't matter if it's Apple, Google or Samsung.

Not all, but yes there are fees attached depending on which apps you want. Same with Android, same with Windows Phone & BlackBerry OS (when they were around)

Yes, the apps that have a price must be paid for before you download them. However, most apps are free to download and run so you can get some basic usage and see how it's going to work for you. If you want the full Monty you buy the extra features with an In-App Purchase.