iPad Pro 11inch 2nd gen bricked after iOS 17.4.1 update

I have auto updates on, and this morning the iPad wouldn't charge. Restarting did not help. I went to the Genius Bar, and I was told that the update must have been interrupted somehow and the files got corrupted. However, he was unable to load a new OS or do anything except offer me a similar IPAD for $500. IE, my perfectly good, pristine IPAD Pro is a brick from a software update! It was also explained to me that I should have had Apple Care, and after 2 years I can pay monthly, then the replacement would have been free. I believe that 4 years of Apple Care is about $500 - so basically I buy the premium IPAD then need to pay a monthly fee to ensure I am protected from their ****** software? This is insane! If anyone has any hints, I still can't believe the software is that poorly designed that it bricks hardware if the download was interrupted. (previous sw engineer here)