Apple’s 64-bit, 4.7-inch iPhone 6 “has become an incredibly important social status symbol in this part of the world,” Jay McGregor reports for Forbes. “The power of Apple’s brand in Hong Kong is not to be understated. It means that Apple’s insistence on rationing the available handsets feels like a cruel game to see what lengths people will go to to buy one. Lengths I’m currently deeply embedded in.”
“For six days I’ve been trying to buy an iPhone 6 with [Apple’s online reservation] method and I never get past this stage.,” McGregor reports. “Frustrated with my lack of progress I decide to just try and buy an iPhone 6 at the Apple store, in person, and hope I get lucky. As I enter the foyer and ask a clerk if it’s possible to buy one, I try to pretend like a dumb tourist who hasn’t spent the last six days getting up early playing iReserve roulette. The clerk looks at me with utter bemusement. She wears the expression of someone who’s politely greeting a hated acquaintance.”
“As I jump on the subway (MTR) and head back to the apartment, I begin to notice iPhones everywhere,” McGregor reports. “Everyone, every child, every mum, dad and dog has an iPhone 6. This is more than just a popular phone, it’s a cult, a status symbol and a validation of one’s place in life all rolled into one 4.7-inch slab of Appley goodness… Apple products have become synonymous with a particular lifestyle. Everyone wants to look young, wealthy and carefree. Flicking through selfies on the MTR says that – even if it’s far from the truth… In January 2015, the scalpers are still there, outside the Apple store in Causeway Bay, haggling with desperate passers by.”
Much more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “David E.” for the heads up.]
Sounds like the real obsession is this writer’s obsession with something Apple
I bought my iPhone 6 128 GB used on eBay for $800 (that’s $100 less than retail if you include sales tax). I’m TOTALLY in love! Best iPhone I’ve ever had! My deepest sympathy for those who have to pay full retail or wait on lines…
It’s $100 less than retail because it’s used.
The main problem is scalpers bought all the iPhones here in HK , holding stocks keep as hostage to generate high demand for better price, then smuggle back to China!
Actually, HK people are not everyone would or could afford the iPhones, the majority of demand are from China, many of those use the iPhone as a gift to bribe their way in business or government department. Its sad but true, but its fxcking China, any shit could happen….. 🙁
Looks like the author should work a little harder on his spelling instead of tracking down an iPhone 6. At one point he uses “afinado” in an apparent attempt to write aficionado.
Must be maddening. Kindly order one on the website, and get on with your life. 🙂
Seriously. It’ll arrive eventually.
That’s an exaggeration. Many people have Samsungs, HTCs and iPhones. There are more iPhone 4, 4s and 5 than all the others combined but not everyone has the iPhone 6. iPhones are popular mainly because the jail broken iPhone 1 was the first smartphone to be able to write Chinese characters. That one capability alone made masses of Chinese people switch in 2007. Ever tried typing Chinese on the Blackberry keyboard? You’ll become suicidal after one sentence. I live here and I see this everyday. iPhones are not the status symbol in Hong Kong. An LV bag, Amex Gold Card and Mercedes is. Your ‘perceived wealth’ must be visible to all! That’s why Apple Pay might take a while to catch on here. You wanna display your credit cards all in a row in your wallet to impress the checkout clerk or waiter.
[quote]You wanna display your credit cards all in a row in your wallet to impress the checkout clerk or waiter.[/quote]
Did we just hit by a DeLorean and got sent back the 80s? Put those plastic cards away and get off the line already grandpa!
Well, Hong Kong is still old fashioned in many ways, marskah. By saying ‘put those plastic cards away …. grandpa!’, you just made my point about showing off. Just telling you how the mentality is in Hong Kong. I’m an American living and working here.
Snooty Apple staff?
Bad karma.
The offender should be given a severe talking-to, or sacked.