APPLE’S iPHONE 15 SERIES: THE EPITOME OF OVERPRICED, OVERHYPED, AND OVERRATED
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has once again topped the rankings as the most shipped smartphone globally in the first half of this year (1H24), according to Omdia research. But is this a testament to the phone’s unparalleled quality or a reflection of the gullible masses’ willingness to part with their hard-earned cash for a device that’s essentially a status symbol?
Omdia’s research shows that the US-based firm shipped a whopping 21.8 million units during the period under review, marking the second consecutive year the high-end iPhone Pro Max series claimed the top spot. But at what cost? The average price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max? A staggering $1,199 to $1,599 (about R21,000 to R28,000). That’s right, folks, Apple’s flagship device is essentially a luxury item, marketed as a must-have status symbol for the elite.
And don’t even get me started on the standard iPhone 15, which ranks behind the Pro Max as the second most popular phone of 2024 so far, with 17.8 million shipments. Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 Pro holds the fourth spot with 16.9 million, and the iPhone 15 Plus? Well, it’s the least popular model of the series, with a paltry 3.7 million shipments, placing it at 28th globally.
But what’s behind this phenomenon? Is it the phone’s impressive features? The sleek design? The "revolutionary" artificial intelligence capabilities? Or is it simply the Apple brand’s reputation for exclusivity and prestige? After all, as the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for"… or do you?
In the meantime, Samsung’s Galaxy A15 is the third most popular smartphone, with 17.3 million shipments in 1H24. And what’s the secret to its success? A price tag of just $129 (about R2,200). That’s right, folks, you can get a high-quality smartphone without breaking the bank.
But don’t worry, Apple fans, the latest iPhones are launching on September 20, and I’m sure the iPhone 16 Pro Max will be just as overpriced and overhyped as its predecessors. After all, as the saying goes, "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it"… or in this case, "if it’s broke, fix it and charge an arm and a leg for it."
So, will you be joining the ranks of the iPhone 15 Pro Max fanboys and girls, or will you be opting for a more affordable option? The choice is yours… but let’s be real, you’re probably just going to shell out the big bucks for the latest and greatest from Apple, because, well, that’s what Apple fans do.
