Woman with iPhone 17 Pro Max still travels by bus, sparks a debate on affordability
The woman shared her vision of having the best of both worlds, after buying the latest Apple smartphone, and still taking public transportation, starting a discussion online as to what it means to own the latest and the greatest.
The release of the latest smartphones, or new technology in general, may create a false perception that most consumers can afford to renew their smartphones despite their high cost.
Considering that there are different ways in which users can afford the latest, and often more expensive, devices, can we still make assumptions about people's social status, income, and similar matters based on the devices they own?
An Instagram user from India, under the username @lifeofswa, shared a video where she stands in a packed bus. The woman started the video caption by writing: “Bought an iPhone 17 Pro Max with my own money. Still standing in a bus like the rest of the country.”
The woman continued by adding “Because success doesn’t always look aesthetic. Sometimes it looks like public transport, tired legs, and quiet pride.”
Her post started a debate online with some praising the young woman whose post revealed that in India a person with an iPhone is quite often seen as someone wealthy, with this Instagram user wanting to show that everything is possible through hard work.
In the US, the iPhone 17 Pro Max costs from $1199, while in India it’s ₹1,49,900 (around $1650), notes Livemint.
While some commentators applauded the woman, some users were quite skeptical of the post.
‘“iPhone’ is a liability not an asset. [...] Buying scooty, 2nd car or hiring driver would provide you with comfort and relaxed mind,” wrote one user.
They weren’t the only ones pointing out that the woman should’ve used the money to, for example, get a better means of transportation.
“No wonder ur travelling in a bus. I guess u had ur priorities set wrong,” noted another Instagram user.
“iPhone on EMI when u know how much u r struggling financially. Not an intelligent choice at all,” shared another user referring to Equated Monthly Instalment, which is a payment method that allows buyers to pay for an item through fixed (monthly) payments.
Several users assumed that this is how the woman purchased the smartphone, reflecting the fact that this is a common choice among consumers when obtaining a new device.
It’s been reported by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) that in the US, 55% of phone buyers choose to pay for their smartphone through an installment plan.
Such plans are usually provided by a company, for example, Apple iPhone Upgrade Program, or by a carrier.
The woman’s post also questions how consumers view technology, hinting that everyday electronic devices may also be used to draw conclusions about one’s social status or income.
But has this changed in any way, considering that even the most expensive tech can be obtained through loans?
“It is possible to own an iPhone and yet be financially pinched, anxious, or in debt. At the same time, genuinely affluent people often keep old devices for years because they don’t feel the need to signal anything,” shares Steve Athwal from The Big Phone Store.
But does the same count for every country, in every culture?
“Cultural relevance always counts. In some countries, an iPhone symbolizes upward mobility because of its high cost relative to income, global status, or because of importation,” notes Athwal.
“In America and Britain, this symbolism doesn't really exist anymore. iPhones can be found everywhere, bundled into contracts. Most view buying an iPhone as functional rather than an achievement,” concludes the expert.
The topic reminded Nick Whitfield, founder of City Unscripted, of their business's start: “I decided to keep it basic and save on things like communication systems so that funds could go to technology and infrastructure.”
“This woman's spending choice reflects sophisticated financial prioritization that business leaders should respect,” says Whitfield, looking at this situation through an entrepreneurial point of view.
“She invested in tools enabling income generation and professional development while maintaining lower fixed costs through public transportation that many successful entrepreneurs embrace strategically.”
When it comes to Apple smartphones, having the latest and greatest may soon mean that one can afford it, but rather it is a necessity, as the company is discontinuing more of its older models and adding them to the list of vintage and obsolete devices.
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