Facing crazy iFans, Chinese enterprises should be more confident and competitive

By Little Jelly Source:Global Times Published: 2015-9-21 19:18:01

An article published last week in your newspaper argues that Chinese increasing number of iFans has made the country the first-wave market to get the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. I strongly agree with it. After the new iPhones were released on September 9, pre-orders sold out in China within only 12 hours.

Admittedly, the iPhones' outstanding performance has contributed to the strong demand. China's purchasing power has also strengthened in recent years to satisfy its customers' increasingly strong appetite for high-priced Apple products. But for some Chinese, it is false pride that pushes them to purchase the newest generation of iPhones.

Costing at least 5,288 yuan ($649) - almost a month's salary for many young Chinese - the newest iPhone is regarded as a symbol of social status.

Ironically, while these fans are happy to spend thousands of yuan on a smart phone, they are unwilling to buy a useful app for just a few coins.

In addition, these investors, after purchasing, cannot wait to jailbreak their handsets. The original stable and well-knitted iOS system will, in this way, be ruined by its crazy "fans." For these customers, the sense of false pride in possessing an iPhone, instead of its practical use, is the most important.

Some economically disadvantaged people, on the other hand, are under huge peer pressure. They have no choice but grit their teeth to buy an iPhone which is far beyond their budget. Some insensible youngsters even starved themselves in order to save money for an exorbitant priced phone. They even joked about trading kidneys in exchange for it.

It seems that some people in Chinese society are very adept at judging others based on what they use and wear. It is completely wrong for people to boost their self-esteem by purchasing unaffordable and unnecessary items. Some domestic phones, for instance, Huawei and Xiaomi, have similar functions but are much cheaper than iPhones.

Instead of catering to snobbery, people, especially the young, should have confidence in themselves. Everyone has his or her own taste and there is absolutely no need to compare with others. Purchasing an iPhone out of vanity only reveals the shallowness, rather than the social status of the person.

On the other hand, domestic Chinese enterprises should draw on experiences from foreign firms and enhance their management in order to become more competitive in the international market.

"Made in China" products have long been characterized as poor quality. Enterprises at home should try to get rid of this image. Xiaomi and Huawei are winning an increasing number of fans. We hope that some day people will be proud to have a China-made phone, rather than showing off their US products.

Little Jelly, a white-collar worker based in Tianjin

Posted in: Letters

blog comments powered by Disqus