Chinese influencers reportedly using Lebanon pager attacks to spread iPhone rumors

Some Chinese influencers are urging users to switch their iPhones to Chinese vendors in a misleading video.

Things have been tough for Apple in the Chinese market lately. Due to a wave of patriotism, locals are buying smartphones from Chinese vendors, decreasing Apple's market share and sales.

Given that Apple Intelligence features will not be available in China due to local regulations, the trend doesn’t seem likely to change.

It appears that some users may also be deterred by misleading information spreading on Chinese social media.

CNN reports that Chinese social media networks, which are tightly watched by the government, have allowed the spread of a 13-year-old video of an exploding iPhone. Some are even misleadingly comparing iPhones to the pager attacks in Lebanon, CNN’s Will Ripley says.

Chinese influencers are reportedly using the video to spread rumors about iPhones and Apple, suggesting without evidence that ordinary iPhones may cause an explosion.

According to CNN, while some state media channels are trying to debunk fake information, the rumors are spreading. One construction company has reportedly banned their employees from bringing iPhones to work and is offering vouchers to switch to local Chinese brands.

Of course, there is no way that an iPhone – or any other smartphone, could make a significant explosion on its own. Over the years, there have been some models, including Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7, older iPhones, and other brands catching fire or even causing small explosions, though they were very limited.

The original video of an iPhone exploding was made by YouTuber Chris Boden, who hooked the device up to a high-voltage machine. To cause the explosion, he had to have a power supply bigger than that of a refrigerator and weighing about half a ton.