The iPhone 5 – a status symbol

| by Victor Cherubim

( September 18, 2012, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The social impact of innovation is hitting us hard. The days ahead are likely to be dominated by Apple, not because of the jury’s verdict against Samsung, but as feverishly anticipated, two thirds of UK iphone users hope to treat themselves to the new model, iphone 5, when it hits the stores this week (21 September ’12). It was released in San Francisco, USA on 13 September, and already it is a big hit. Incentive trade- ins, we are informed, will be on offer to entice buyers.

iPhone 5 has been touted as the most beautiful consumer accessory. The US technology giant, Apple stated that their new model iphone 5,is the thinnest smartphone made so far, with an anodised aluminium body measuring 7.6mm,18% thinner and 20% lighter than its predecessor, i phone 4.S. It has 4G service.

On the software front, the new handset comes with 200 new features which include a new version of Maps app, Facebook integration, passbook organisation, a larger number of features and languages, including mobile payment facility. Its special feature is its longer battery life.

The iphone from its inception has been recognised as a status symbol. As an upcoming fad, it appears everyone who has already seen the iphone 5, is enchanted with it. But there is bitter rivalry among its competitors, Android fans and Windows Phone 8. Not to be outdone, Samsung plans to announce its Galaxy S4 launch in February 2013 at Mobile World Congress at Fira Gran Via, Barcelona. We are told its S4 model could be longer than the 64GB iphone 5

The main sticking point is its price for its upmarket model 64GB. For many its price tag of £529 for an outright purchase or as part of a package from a provider at £199 plus a monthly charge of £46, may just tip the scales against purchase just yet. At the same time, price competition is fierce with Samsung and Nokia, expected to reduce the prices on their earlier models anytime.

Why is the iphone a status symbol?

Considering many iphone users don’t know the technicalities, it seems the iphone 5 will become as much a status symbol as anything else. Besides, when you have the young seeking upward mobility, the upmarket price makes it a status symbol rather than a mobile.

Apple’s business strategy has always been making people think their iphone 5 is more of a status symbol. It does not mean, it cannot be a good device as well. For people who know electronics, it signifies a trend in replacing older models at regular intervals with more expensive but better models, (such as touch screen vs. keypad) and more often than not replacing a device with a app which makes things more difficult than the original device.

The feeling that it is nice to own an iphone 5 which no one has. However, already critics are questioning whether the hype for this phone is largely in line with its expectations of its fans and the media.