我承认,我现在正拿着一部iPhone打字。几乎每个人都用着iPhone或安卓手机,而我当初选择iPhone,只是因为人人都用,不想显得格格不入。六年级时,我入手了第一部iPhone 5,当时最新款是iPhone 7。虽然比我之前的老式翻盖手机好太多,但这开启了我对苹果产品复杂情感的序幕。
每年,人们都趋之若鹜地购买新款iPhone,仿佛这是某种仪式。我个人是每四五年升级一次,只要电池耐用,能看YouTube,能打电话就足够了。但总有人在新品发布时就排队抢购,这让我百思不得其解。
苹果的营销策略:升级的幻象
我曾经也是追逐新款iPhone的人,但随着年龄增长,我逐渐意识到苹果的升级换代被严重夸大了。他们是在割韭菜! 产品本身功能正常,但营销宣传却将新款包装成“最佳”、“最伟大”的产品,这是一种欺骗。
iPhone 14和15的差异微乎其微,例如所谓的“更多光学变焦选项”,实际提升有限。苹果公司频繁更改充电接口(从Lightning到USB-C),也给用户带来诸多不便。早期iPhone的升级幅度更大,价格也更低,如今却反其道而行之。
价格上涨与虚假升级
即使升级幅度微不足道,苹果也会不遗余力地提高价格。这种行为令人气愤。 每年发布新机,却缺乏足以支撑高价的实质性升级,这才是苹果产品的最大问题。
网上流传着一种荒谬的说法:用安卓手机的人“穷”。这简直是无稽之谈!三星Galaxy S24的价格与iPhone相差无几。我虽然没用过安卓手机,但我知道它绝不会差到哪里去。这种偏见和刻板印象,实在令人反感。
苹果生态的牢笼
我和许多人一样,陷入了苹果生态的牢笼。我拥有iPhone、iPad、AirPods、甚至冲动消费的AirPod Max。AirPod Max的降噪功能确实出色,但500美元的价格,我依然觉得不值。
苹果的产品线扩张到了令人难以置信的地步:Apple TV、Apple Wallet、Apple Watch,甚至还有传闻中的Apple AI助手。他们似乎想要渗透到生活的每一个角落。 每次去苹果店,都会被推销一些价格昂贵且不实用的配件,例如20美元的手机支架,50美元的充电线延长器。
每次离开苹果店,我都会忍不住问自己:我为什么要花这么多钱?这根本不值得!即使是免费升级,运营商也会想方设法提高我的月费。Verizon就曾试图让我添加第二条线路,增加月支出。
苹果电视和Vision Pro:高价与低性价比
苹果电视增加了我的娱乐成本,而更让我难以接受的是Apple Vision Pro。3500美元的价格,简直是天价! Meta Quest只需300美元,性能也毫不逊色。除非我卖了灵魂,否则我绝不会买Apple Vision Pro。
电池寿命与产品更新
苹果产品的易损性也是一个问题。AirPods容易丢失或损坏,电池寿命也短得惊人。用了一年多,电池续航能力就会大幅下降,这显然是苹果公司故意为之,以促使消费者频繁更换产品。
为什么我依然选择苹果?
尽管对苹果产品有诸多不满,我依然选择继续使用。原因有三:一是社会压力,二是习惯使然,三是产品功能尚可满足我的需求。
苹果与安卓之争,如同游戏主机之争,没有绝对的优劣,只有个人的选择。 但苹果的高溢价和营销策略,确实值得我们深思。
People often feel the need to upgrade to the latest iPhone for social validation and to be seen as early adopters. The media often films those waiting in line, reinforcing the idea that having the newest iPhone is a status symbol.
Critics argue that Apple's annual iPhone releases lack significant upgrades, with only minor changes like additional camera lenses or charging port changes. This leads to a perception that Apple is more focused on generating revenue through frequent releases rather than substantial improvements.
The speaker believes Apple is a 'scam' because they perceive that Apple is not making significant improvements to their products but still charging a premium price. This, combined with the constant need for upgrades due to battery life issues, reinforces the idea that Apple is exploiting consumer loyalty for profit.
The iPhone 15 introduced a switch from the lightning cable to USB-C, which the speaker found unnecessary and disruptive. They also criticized the lack of significant upgrades compared to previous models.
The speaker continues to use Apple products because they are accustomed to the ecosystem and find the products functional. They also acknowledge that other brands like Samsung might use similar tactics, making it difficult to switch.
The speaker finds the Apple Vision Pro overpriced and unnecessary, especially when compared to more affordable options like MetaQuest. They believe it's a product targeted at celebrities and wealthy individuals rather than the average consumer.
The speaker views the Apple versus Android debate as similar to the console wars, where brand loyalty and perceived superiority play a significant role. They find both sides to be somewhat exaggerated and driven by marketing.