Is it becoming less of a status symbol to own an iPhone?

Raggsokk · 03:33 PM

It used to be cool, owning an iPhone. You were a techno freak, up to date on the newest in mobile technology. You were cool, trendy, and proud!

However, at a christmas party the other day, I sat around a table with some friends, all boys. We were taking photos, and they all pulled out their android phones. And there I sat with my white iPhone.. Further down the table there were two girls. They both had white iPhones, one with a "diamond" back cover on it.

For the first time I was somewhat embarrased of owning an iPhone. I tried a friends Samsung phone, and quickly realized that this was advanced stuff. Had I gotten so used to my user friendly iPhone, that I'd lost the ability to quickly understand new technology, as I did before?

Today at the university, it seams like the "cool" boys use android phones. The ones who loves new tech, and knows what they want. While the iPhone is reserved for the technological impaired.

Point is, has the sociological aspect of owning an iPhone changed that much the last years?

This is copied from a Norwegian forum, with the original title "Is iPhone becoming a girls phone?" (didn't want to get too flamed..)

EDIT:
To clarify: I was not the author of the original post.

This post was not to discuss whether or not forum users care about the status of their iPhone. But how a change in this will affect the iPhone/iPhone sales, or other topics.

The iPhone today is in many ways a safe phone. For people who know nothing it's cool, it works and the world of (iPhone-prized) android devices can be quite intimidating for many.

But what would happen if the iPhone lost it's "coolness"?

maxosx · Jan 10, 2013, 08:30 PM

iPhones are very common where I live.

They ceased being special a long time ago.

wxman2003 · Jan 10, 2013, 08:33 PM

If you buy an iPhone, or any smartphone as a status symbol, there is something wrong. People who do that are, in my book, an idiot.

Raggsokk · Jan 10, 2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxman2003

If you buy an iPhone as a status symbol, there is something wrong.

I agree, but that's what _a_lot_ of people do today. And also with previous iPhones, but back then it was a different group of people who did so, and for different reasons. Which is what I find interesting.

DMH3006 · Jan 10, 2013, 08:37 PM

He tried a Samsung and he quickly realized this was advanced stuff?
dude if you want an excuse to get a 5-inch phone you don't need one okay?
most tech dudes i know go with android because they can pirate games and apps.

Zaft · Jan 10, 2013, 08:39 PM

depends where you are. where I live majority are iphone owners including family. everyone I text and know has imessage

bigcstyle4 · Jan 10, 2013, 08:42 PM

It hasn't been since the iPhone 3G. The $199 carrier subsidy changed that.

12dylan34 · Jan 10, 2013, 08:48 PM

Smartphones are pretty much the standard now. You used to buy one only if you needed to be able to email, etc. on the go, but it's pretty much the definition of the cell phone now.

thekev · Jan 10, 2013, 08:51 PM

If you live in or frequent any major city, you see smartphones constantly. If someone reaches for their phone, it's actually uncommon to see anything else.

comptr · Jan 10, 2013, 08:52 PM

why buy a certain smart phone because its a status symbol. People should buy the phone that fits their needs. After using android for almost 2 years and will be switching back to the iPhone I can now see that its not as cut and dry saying get one phone or another people should purchase the phone that works for their needs as a phone.

SomeDudeAsking · Jan 10, 2013, 08:53 PM

You can buy a new iPhone 5 at Walmart with 0% financing. WALMART! WITH 0% FINANCING. That is an immediate red flag that tells you the iPhone is the opposite of status symbol. The iPhone ceased to be cutting edge back with the iPhone 4 and instead is now like a Dodge Caravan, common and nothing special if you have one.

Mrbobb · Jan 10, 2013, 08:55 PM

The downside of its own success.

mrsir2009 · Jan 10, 2013, 09:00 PM

Yeah, they are getting pretty common now. I wouldn’t call it embarrasing to own one, but it’s now just the symbol of a decent phone, rather than the holy grail it was 2 or 3 years ago.

AbyssImpact · Jan 10, 2013, 09:07 PM

Who the hell cares what people think?

TacticalDesire · Jan 10, 2013, 09:08 PM

Perhaps it was when it first came out and a year or two after when having ANY smartphone was still a novelty, but I don't really think the iPhone ever was that much of a status symbol. It's been the same
Price as other flagship phones for ages. That being said, I see everyone and their mother (literally) with an iPhone. Although recently, that number has been dropping where I live. With this recent update cycle, I'm seeing more and more android phones. Particularly the galaxy s3 and some of HTCs recent offerings. I think the apple hype is dying down slightly. Not a bad thing, just something I noticed.

Applejuiced · Jan 10, 2013, 09:09 PM

If you want a status symbol get a Ferrari.

TacticalDesire · Jan 10, 2013, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 12dylan34

Smartphones are pretty much the standard now. You used to buy one only if you needed to be able to email, etc. on the go, but it's pretty much the definition of the cell phone now.

Yeah. I'm waiting for the day we stop calling smartphones smartphones and just start calling them phones...

WillFisher · Jan 10, 2013, 09:10 PM

In my eyes, I bought my first iPhone to check my email and merge the iPod and Phone into one. I found it brilliant.

My mates on the other hand bought them to show off to the high school girls. Made them look like fools.

I have never found it to be a status symbol, but just a very useful part of day by day life.

jqc · Jan 10, 2013, 09:11 PM

In manhattan where i live 'm only slightly exaggerating when I say that EVERYONE had an iPhone. AND an ipad. AND a MacBook.

iPhones really became common with the 4 here.

jav6454 · Jan 10, 2013, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raggsokk

It used to be cool, owning an iPhone. You were a techno freak, up to date on the newest in mobile technology. You were cool, trendy, and proud!

Buy a Rolex from Tiffany and Co. if you want a status symbol.

Applejuiced · Jan 10, 2013, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jav6454

Buy a Rolex from Tiffany and Co. if you want a status symbol.

That's right.
Bling bling

ezramoore · Jan 10, 2013, 09:18 PM

I think the rule is it is only a status symbol if you can spell "status symbol." Otherwise its just a phone.

iHailCarlo · Jan 10, 2013, 09:24 PM

I guess I really didnt know that it means that much to people. I really enjoy my Apple products but I dont think they make me better than anyone, just smarter than most. lol.

NeshyD · Jan 10, 2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AbyssImpact

Who the hell cares what people think?

This.

ucfgrad93 · Jan 10, 2013, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxman2003

If you buy an iPhone, or any smartphone as a status symbol, there is something wrong. People who do that are, in my book, an idiot.

Agreed. Buy what fits your needs, not because it is cool.

Jan 10, 2013, 08:25 PM	#1
Raggsokk macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2012	Is it becoming less of a status symbol to own an iPhone? It used to be cool, owning an iPhone. You were a techno freak, up to date on the newest in mobile technology. You were cool, trendy, and proud! However, at a christmas party the other day, I sat around a table with some friends, all boys. We were taking photos, and they all pulled out their android phones. And there I sat with my white iPhone.. Further down the table there were two girls. They both had white iPhones, one with a "diamond" back cover on it. For the first time I was somewhat embarrased of owning an iPhone. I tried a friends Samsung phone, and quickly realized that this was advanced stuff. Had I gotten so used to my user friendly iPhone, that I'd lost the ability to quickly understand new technology, as I did before? Today at the university, it seams like the "cool" boys use android phones. The ones who loves new tech, and knows what they want. While the iPhone is reserved for the technological impaired. Point is, has the sociological aspect of owning an iPhone changed that much the last years? This is copied from a Norwegian forum, with the original title "Is iPhone becoming a girls phone?" (didn't want to get too flamed..) EDIT: To clarify: I was not the author of the original post. This post was not to discuss whether or not forum users care about the status of their iPhone. But how a change in this will affect the iPhone/iPhone sales, or other topics. The iPhone today is in many ways a safe phone. For people who know nothing it's cool, it works and the world of (iPhone-prized) android devices can be quite intimidating for many. But what would happen if the iPhone lost it's "coolness"? Last edited by Raggsokk; Jan 12, 2013 at 03:33 PM.
	7

Jan 10, 2013, 08:33 PM	#3
wxman2003 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2011	If you buy an iPhone, or any smartphone as a status symbol, there is something wrong. People who do that are, in my book, an idiot. __________________ iMac I5, Macbook, iPad 4, iPhone 5, iPod, ATV 3
	36

Jan 10, 2013, 08:51 PM	#9
thekev macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2010	If you live in or frequent any major city, you see smartphones constantly. If someone reaches for their phone, it's actually uncommon to see anything else. __________________ Legend has it that a bad GPU driver killed Intel's father. To this day intel can't bring themselves to write a good one.
	1

Jan 10, 2013, 08:52 PM	#10
comptr macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2007	why buy a certain smart phone because its a status symbol. People should buy the phone that fits their needs. After using android for almost 2 years and will be switching back to the iPhone I can now see that its not as cut and dry saying get one phone or another people should purchase the phone that works for their needs as a phone. __________________ 2.33 Macbook pro, 2GB Ram, 160GB HD, ATI X1600 256 meg ram – Replaced 2.4 Macbook pro, 2GB Ram upgraded to 4GB, 200GB, Nvidia 8600GT 256Meg – Replaced 2.8 Macbook pro, 8GB Ram, 256GB SSD
	3

Jan 10, 2013, 08:55 PM	#12
Mrbobb macrumors 68020 Join Date: Aug 2012	The downside of its own success. __________________ Solution: FREE, Explanation: Is gonna cost ya.
	3

Jan 10, 2013, 08:30 PM	#2
maxosx macrumors 68000 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Southern California	iPhones are very common where I live. They ceased being special a long time ago.
	9

Jan 10, 2013, 08:37 PM	#5
DMH3006 macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2011	He tried a Samsung and he quickly realized this was advanced stuff? dude if you want an excuse to get a 5-inch phone you don't need one okay? most tech dudes i know go with android because they can pirate games and apps.
	7

Jan 10, 2013, 08:39 PM	#6
Zaft macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2009	depends where you are. where I live majority are iphone owners including family. everyone I text and know has imessage
	1

Jan 10, 2013, 08:42 PM	#7
bigcstyle4 macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2012	It hasn't been since the iPhone 3G. The $199 carrier subsidy changed that.
	6

Jan 10, 2013, 08:48 PM	#8
12dylan34 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2009	Smartphones are pretty much the standard now. You used to buy one only if you needed to be able to email, etc. on the go, but it's pretty much the definition of the cell phone now.
	2

Jan 10, 2013, 08:53 PM	#11
SomeDudeAsking macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2010	You can buy a new iPhone 5 at Walmart with 0% financing. WALMART! WITH 0% FINANCING. That is an immediate red flag that tells you the iPhone is the opposite of status symbol. The iPhone ceased to be cutting edge back with the iPhone 4 and instead is now like a Dodge Caravan, common and nothing special if you have one.
	5

Jan 10, 2013, 09:00 PM	#13
mrsir2009 macrumors 604 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Wellington, New Zealand	Yeah, they are getting pretty common now. I wouldn’t call it embarrasing to own one, but it’s now just the symbol of a decent phone, rather than the holy grail it was 2 or 3 years ago. __________________ How to Prevent your Mac from Overheating
	5

Jan 10, 2013, 09:07 PM	#14
AbyssImpact macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2010	Who the hell cares what people think?
	15

Jan 10, 2013, 09:08 PM	#15
TacticalDesire macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2012	Perhaps it was when it first came out and a year or two after when having ANY smartphone was still a novelty, but I don't really think the iPhone ever was that much of a status symbol. It's been the same Price as other flagship phones for ages. That being said, I see everyone and their mother (literally) with an iPhone. Although recently, that number has been dropping where I live. With this recent update cycle, I'm seeing more and more android phones. Particularly the galaxy s3 and some of HTCs recent offerings. I think the apple hype is dying down slightly. Not a bad thing, just something I noticed. __________________ LG Nexus 4 8gb (Android 4.2.2) Black iPod Touch 5th Generation 32gb (iOS 6.1.2) Black iPad Mini 1st Generation 16gb (iOS 6.1.2) http://www.nrastandandfight.com/
	1

Jan 10, 2013, 09:09 PM	#16
Applejuiced macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: At the iPhone hacks section.	If you want a status symbol get a Ferrari.
	14

Jan 10, 2013, 09:10 PM	#18
WillFisher macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2011	In my eyes, I bought my first iPhone to check my email and merge the iPod and Phone into one. I found it brilliant. My mates on the other hand bought them to show off to the high school girls. Made them look like fools. I have never found it to be a status symbol, but just a very useful part of day by day life. __________________ 2011 Mac Mini 2.3GHz i5, White Audioengine A2, Blue Snowball Mic 2010 13" MBP 2.4GHz C2D, 256GB Samsung 830, BookBook iToys: White iPhone 5, White iPad 3. ATV3.
	4

Jan 10, 2013, 09:11 PM	#19
jqc macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2007	In manhattan where i live 'm only slightly exaggerating when I say that EVERYONE had an iPhone. AND an ipad. AND a MacBook. iPhones really became common with the 4 here.
	2

Jan 10, 2013, 09:18 PM	#22
ezramoore macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Washington State	I think the rule is it is only a status symbol if you can spell "status symbol." Otherwise its just a phone.
	3

Jan 10, 2013, 09:24 PM	#23
iHailCarlo macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2012	I guess I really didnt know that it means that much to people. I really enjoy my Apple products but I dont think they make me better than anyone, just smarter than most. lol.
	1

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