Technology

iPhone 15 in Pakistan: A status symbol?

Nigah Mir | Oct 02, 2023

Apple’s iPhone – one of the most famous products that has managed to place the world firmly within its chokehold. Its worldwide popularity is not something that can simply be ignored or underestimated: not only has it been able to amass a fervent worldwide user base, but has also made its place within the world of tech giants so firmly that running into a mention of it, if not becoming a user yourself, is practically unavoidable.

It is no different in Pakistan; people are switching to iPhones in an ever increasing amount with every passing day. And with the newest model, the iPhone 15, being released very recently on September 22, the population’s eagerness to flock towards the markets once more has become quite apparent.

Having an iPhone comes with its benefits, certainly. There are even many who remain loyal users of the company no matter what. However, it is undeniable that there are perhaps equally as many, if not more, that have been finding themselves wondering if owning an iPhone has simply become little more than a status symbol in Pakistan – especially with the new iPhone 15 coming out.

There is little room for argument that having an iPhone certainly comes with its own benefits:

The huge quantity of storage that an iPhone offers its consumers is one of its greatest benefits, currently unmatched by any other mobile provider. In fact, the iPhone 15 features an entire terabyte of storage, which is the equivalent of the amount of information that can be stored on paper made from 50,000 trees.

The incredible camera quality that iPhones offer is another unquestionably significant detail, and perhaps one of the main points which leads people to buying iPhones. Photos taken by the new iPhone 15 have up to 4x the resolution of the previous model.

Perhaps one of the most noticeable upgrades in the iPhone 15 is that it can now be charged using USB-C cables, making it more feasible for people that previously had to carry multiple cables for charging their Apple and non-Apple products.

In addition, the iPhone 15 has been advertised as the best gaming powerhouse compared to any and every smartphone device yet released, promoting a chip that prevents it from overheating even when playing heavy games. 

While these are the upgrades that come with the iPhone 15, it still provides a lot of other attractive features that it already did with its older models, for example, its unique user interface and its dynamic island, among others. However, it is easier to be blindsided when just considering the positive qualities without looking at all the drawbacks.

Product reviewers that have bought the iPhone 15 are noting that while the storage space and camera quality do not disappoint, it is coming with its own new problems.

For one, there has been no improvement in its battery life. Despite advertising that it has a full day battery life, it is actually only providing a few hours of uninterrupted usage. Also despite advertisement of its non-overheating quality, users have reported that it overheats with heavier games.

And the overheating is not only restricted to heavy usage, but rather users have also found that it also overheats severely if they use a regular USB-C cable for charging their iPhone 15 instead of using an Apple-produced USB-C cable. Certainly a thinly veiled ploy by Apple to keep having their users buy Apple-produced chargers.

In another complaint, product reviewers who did the shatter test on the iPhone 15 stated that not only did it fail the shatter test, but rather it surprisingly breaks a lot easier compared to its older models.

And, of course, to mention the biggest association with iPhones: the price tag. In Pakistan, the iPhone 15 is getting its premium price tag set above Rs. 400,000, making it one of the priciest, if not the priciest, smartphones on the market.

Yet, despite all these flaws and the extremely expensive cost, people are still flocking to buy it. Despite the fact that one can get android phones with more practical functionality and more durability at a fraction of the cost of the iPhone 15, users of the brand are remaining loyal to it, and more people are turning over to it every day.

The reason is perhaps that the iPhone has become something more than perhaps just a smartphone; it has transformed into a symbol of social status. It's no longer just a device; it's a statement, a reflection of success and prestige. And perhaps understandably so.

People are not just buying a phone – they are investing in an image. Despite its drawbacks, like the high price and technical problems, people still willingly choose it. Why? Because owning an iPhone isn't just about owning a piece of technology. It's about belonging to an exclusive group that has achieved a certain level of success. And in a society like Pakistan’s where appearances matter quite a lot, the iPhone becoming a visible symbol of fortune and modernism is indeed a hidden truth long accepted by many. People buy it not just for its features but for the story it tells about their place in the world, making it a prized possession despite its many imperfections.