Chinese netizens underwhelmed by iPhone 5
Staff Reporter 2012-09-13 12:39 (GMT+8)
The slightly longer iPhone 5. (Photo/Xinhua)
The long-awaited iPhone 5 was finally released in San Francisco on Wednesday, with the latest 4G-enabled version of Apple's smartphone featuring a taller screen and a lighter, thinner body. However, since it does not come with any revolutionary technology, many Chinese internet users have said they are disappointed and predict poor sales for the device.
Likes its predecessor the iPhone 4S, the latest model features several improvements but is not radically different from previous generations. Its 4" screen has a 16:9 ratio like a widescreen television, allowing users to add an extra row of apps but remains smaller than the models of many competitors.
The iPhone 5 works on Everything Everywhere's 4G mobile network, which is favored by telecom operators offering higher-speed data services, but its rival Samsung owns more than 800 wireless LTE patents and has said it will not hesitate to take legal action if Apple uses its 4G LTE wireless network, according to Want Daily, our Chinese-language sister newspaper.
The new model also features the new A6 chip which will enable the phone to run twice as quickly as previous models. Although its 8-megapixel camera is the same as the iPhone 4S and many high-end smartphones in the market, Apple's vice president Phil Schiller said the camera performs better in low-light conditions, according to the BBC.
The phone comes with Apple's latest iOS 6 and ditches Google Maps in favor of its own mapping service. Its sharing functions are also better integrated with Facebook. Voice assistant Siri also gets an enhancement of its search ability and is able to recognize more languages, Want Daily noted.
Although many Chinese internet users have complained about the lack of surprises with the new iPhone, it has nonetheless been the hot topic on the country's microblogs, with updates regarding the smartphone posted every two seconds. Analysts cited by Want Daily also predicted that Apple could sell 10-12 million handsets of the new model by the end of the month.
Before the smartphone was launched, a poll conducted by Hong Kong-based Phoenix New Media showed 32.34% of 8,000 people polled said that the new iPhone is a revolutionary product unparalleled in the market while 17.21% were unsure and will not make their verdict until it is released.
A Chinese internet user working in the IT industry said Chinese customers value function over brand because they have a variety options from domestic brands, many of them similar in function but cheaper than the big international names. If the new iPhone is not much different from its predecessor and has a similar appearance, buyers may not be impressed, the source said.
One Apple fan also said the last few versions of the smartphone have become too similar. The iPhone 5 can no longer raise expectations as in the past as other smartphones now offer more enticing functions and brand loyalty remains the biggest reason to stick with the iPhone, according to Want Daily.
An industry insider nonetheless predicted a bright outlook for the iPhone 5 in the China market since local buyers bought more than 50,000 of the iPhone 4S on the first day it was released, even though the version was likewise considered similar to its predecessor.
