I did install iTunes on my laptop and got the same exact results. It was Apple who had me try this because my laptop has Windows 10 and my desktop has windows 7 (they were trying to blame it on Windows 7) I have been thinking the same about Apple seeing I'm using MediaMonkey and forcing me to reset ...

I have always used iTunes to sync my phones for backup, never for music I always have used MediaMonkey for that.

Which has worked for every previous iPhone I have owned.

The problem is when MediaMonkey places music on my phone it makes it so iTunes thinks it has an issue and has to be reset.