Aniket Bin
Apple unveiled their new line up of iPhone 16s on September 20, 2024 creating a buzz among buyers around the world. In today’s tech world, iPhone remain the top choice for many Indians despite the wide range of Android phones available in the market, which are much cheaper and also arguably more efficient. But why are Indians so obsessed with iPhones? Let’s take a closer look into the reasons why iPhones have such a huge fan base in India.
Social Perception – In India, iPhone is seen as a status symbol as it is associated with luxury. Many people perceive iPhones as a sign of financial success which contributes to the social pressure of owning one, regardless of their income.
FOMO Among people – FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) with iPhones is all about wanting to fit in the society and not feel left behind. When people see their favorite influencers or celebrities with the latest piece of tech in their hands, they too feel the pressure to get one.
Marketing Hype – Apple uses simple marketing strategies to fill excitement in the air. They release limited quantity of phones, creating a fake under-supply like situation, pushing consumers to buy as if they are in urgency. Launching new models during the Festive seasons adds to the buzz, making Indians eager to get their hands on the latest iPhone.
Technological innovation– iPhones are known for their user-friendly interface and a hassle-free experience. Each time Apple comes with a new product it is believed to set a benchmark in the tech industry.
Brand Loyalty – Apple is known for providing a holistic and interconnected user experience. Users who become part of the Apple ecosystem find it very difficult to switch to any other brand.
Let us look at some examples of what kind of desperation iPhones has led to.
A Teenager’s Desperate Hunger Strike for an iPhone
The obsession for owning the latest iPhone has negatively impacted India’s youth. As seen in the viral case of a flower seller’s son recently, the young teenager went on a hunger strike for three days to force her mother into buying him an iPhone.
This story shows to what extent today’s teenagers can go just for a piece of tech, even at the cost of emotional and financial dent on their families.
Teen’s Tragic End Over iPhone Promise
Another incident took place in Maharashtra in 2022, where a teenage girl kills herself after her parents failed to buy her an iPhone.
As per the officials, the girl’s parents had promised her that they would get her an iPhone, but the family was not financially capable of fulfilling her wish. This made the girl depressed and hung herself from the ceiling fan. This incident was reported from the Kharbi area of Nagpur City. This shows that consumerism has impacted our minds so badly, even the minds of underate youths, that they would rather choose death rather than not having the latest gadget.
Lucknow Horror: iPhone COD Order Ends in Tragedy as Man Kills Delivery Executive.
A tragic incident occurred in Lucknow, where Gajanan, a local resident, ordered an iPhone 16 worth ₹1.5 lakh from Flipkart, using the Cash on Delivery (COD) option. When Bharat Sahu, the delivery executive, went to Gajanan’s house to deliver the phone, Gajanan and a partner in crime planned to kill him to avoid paying for the expensive phone.
After murdering Bharat (in photo), they dumped his body into the Indira Canal. This canal is a large waterway, and authorities are currently working to retrieve the body, which has been difficult due to the canal’s size.
After the crime was reported, the police acted quickly, arresting Gajanan. The case is being investigated, and the exact details of how the crime was carried out and the accomplice’s role are still emerging. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Shashank Singh, confirmed these details, and the investigation is ongoing.
This shocking crime highlights the extreme measures some individuals are willing to take to avoid payment.
Conclusion
The obsession with owning the latest iPhones is proving to be harmful to India’s youth. These tragic incidents, including hunger strikes, suicides, and even murder, reveal the emotional, financial, and social dent this obsession places on families. In some extreme cases, such as the murder of a delivery executive in Lucknow, people can be seen so desperate that they have resorted to murder to get their hands on this gadget.
As the demand for iPhones continues to soar, it’s essential for individuals and society to sit down for a moment, think reflect on the emotional and financial burden these devices place on households. What exactly do they gain from such expensive gadgets? Is it really worth such a huge sum of money? Is it really worth more than someone’s life, including their own?
If you are extreme rich, getting an iPhone is understandable, but its appeal shouldn’t come at the cost of mental health, relationships, or personal safety. The most important question is – Why are educational institutions not addressing these problems and helping youths deal with the negative outcomes of consumerism?
