Recently, I posed the question, “How the Apple iPhone is synonymous with the status symbol in our circles is beyond my understanding” on social media. The question extended, “And how not owning seems to be a curse for people who do not own despite affording it”. While posing this question, I was more interested in showcasing the perception that is often tied to this lucrative device, not the technology part, which propels people to own it. I got mixed replies to my post, with most agreeing to my concern, yet they had reasons to own it. During my professional life, I have lost count of how many times I have been asked why I don’t own one, to which I have a simple answer- Because it is freaking expensive! Based on the reaction, particularly the interesting ones, I decided to jot down this piece here.
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The Apple iPhone – Mixed Reactions
I will share the reactions of most of my well-placed friends here in India and abroad and connect with social media. The majority of them agreed on the fact that it is a symbol analogous to modern-day jewelry. Yet, technologically it is strong enough to render you better security, privacy and even good photography with the iPhone, particularly the latest versions. However, a few called it difficult to operate as these aren’t that user-friendly when compared to Android phones. On the other hand, a few compared Android phones with iPhones calling the latter less durable and comparing the tenure to use.
So, when one changes an Android phone max after three years of use, the iPhone’s life is better, and it could stretch to six years or so. Hence, the iPhone still sounds like a decent choice in the long run. Yet a majority pointed out the money aspect calling it a waste of money in the name of just owning it as a privilege or modern-day jewellery to flaunt among their respective friend circles only to prove that they are not poor. One interesting comment suggested that most people don’t buy iPhones but own iPhones via mobile subscriptions wherein they pay monthly, similar to what they pay non-iPhone or a little more. Some even went sarcastic by saying you should own it to love it, and similar suggestions of getting one rather than expressing my views on social media. The overall story seemed interesting, and I value everyone’s opinion as it helped me to get diverse ideas helping me to jot down this piece.
iPhone – Let’s Get real
With all said and done, one has to be realistic, despite not being willing to spend on the perception of the technology aspect of the iPhone devices to give an edge over Android devices. This makes us feel the reality, which are enlisted below:
The apps Ecosystem- It has a wide range of apps available in the App Store that allow users to take advantage of various online services. These apps are designed to work seamlessly with the device and offer a convenient way for users to access and manage different types of information, such as banking, news, music, searching for information, reading books online, email, weather, etc. Additionally, many apps are optimized for the iPhone’s display and touch screen, which allows for a better user experience.
Design and Build Quality: iPhones are known for their sleek design and high-quality build. They are crafted from premium materials, such as glass and aluminium, and have a premium feel, getting an edge over the other brands in the market. Contrary to the usual belief, the iOS operating system is designed to be easy to navigate and use, making it an excellent option for people of all ages and technical abilities.
Robust Security: iPhones have several security features designed to keep personal information and data safe. Some of the key security features on iPhones include:
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Touch ID and Face ID: These biometric authentication methods allow users to unlock their phones and make purchases with their fingerprints or faces.
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Encryption: iPhones use encryption to protect personal data stored on the device and in backups. This means that even if someone gains access to the device, they can only read the data with the correct encryption key.
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Secure boot: The iPhone’s secure boot process ensures that only Apple-signed software can run on the device, helping to prevent malware and other malicious software from running.
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Automatic Updates: iPhones automatically install security updates, which helps to keep the device safe from known vulnerabilities.
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Sandboxing: iPhones use sandboxing to isolate apps from one another to prevent them from accessing sensitive data on the device.
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App Store Review: Apple reviews every app before it’s available on the App Store, which helps to prevent malware and other malicious software from being distributed to users.
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Two-factor authentication: iPhones allow users to enable two-factor authentication, which requires them to enter a code sent to their phone and their password to log in to their account.
Best Cameras – Yes, iPhones are known for having some of the best cameras on a smartphone. The cameras on iPhones are designed to take high-quality photos and videos and come with various advanced features and settings. The following features define them:
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Advanced lens technology: iPhones use advanced lens technology, such as optical image stabilization and wide-angle lenses, which help to reduce blur and capture more of the scene.
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High-resolution sensors: iPhones use high-resolution sensors, which capture more detail and produce sharper images.
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Advanced processing: iPhones use advanced processing algorithms, such as deep-learning-based image processing, to improve the quality of photos and videos and reduce noise.
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Smart HDR: Smart HDR, a feature in iPhone, takes multiple photos at different exposures and then combines them to create a photo with more detail and less noise.
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Night mode: Night mode, a feature in the iPhone, uses advanced algorithms to take photos in low-light conditions and produces a sharp and well-lit image.
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Portrait mode: Portrait mode, a feature in iPhone, uses advanced algorithms to create a blurred background effect, and it also allows you to adjust the lighting on the subject.
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Video recording: iPhone supports various video recording formats such as 4K, slow-motion, time-lapse and more which are very useful for professional videography.
Is iPhone a luxury or a device with a higher value of money?
Whether an iPhone is considered a luxury or a useful device is a matter of perspective. Some people may view it as a luxury item because of its premium design and high cost, while others may view it as a helpful device because of its advanced features and capabilities. From a functionality standpoint, iPhones are widely considered valuable devices. They offer a wide range of features and capabilities that make them suitable for various tasks, such as communication, entertainment, productivity, and more. iPhones have a smooth performance and can easily handle multitasking and heavy-duty apps. On the other hand, as iPhones are considered premium devices and relatively expensive compared to other smartphones, they could be viewed as a luxury item for some people.
Wrapping up
In summary, whether an iPhone is considered a luxury or a helpful device depends on the individual’s perspective and priorities. Some people may view it as a luxury item because of its premium design and high cost, while others may view it as a useful device because of its advanced features and capabilities. Yet, judging people with their presence in their pockets or bags is an exercise in futility. The device has an edge only with its wide range of features, which others might not offer. Calling it a status symbol is an attempt to trivialize the device and give undue importance to people who advocate such a feeling of pride. It’s the use and not the luxury that matters at the end of the day!
By,
Mohd Ziyaullah Khan,
Content Head, Asst. manager, Digital marketing team at an MNC company IT park Nagpur
