After much anticipation, and months of over churning their brains, the rumor mills can finally retire. Apple Inc. released their series of new phones yesterday and the Internet is abuzz with critics and fans alike. Unfortunately, despite being a fan of lu
After much anticipation, and months of over churning their brains, the rumor mills can finally retire. Apple Inc. released their series of new phones yesterday and the Internet is abuzz with critics and fans alike. Unfortunately, despite being a fan of luxury, we seem to fall under the former category of critics for the hole the new iPhones are going to drill in our pockets. To call the top of the line model-iPhone X ridiculously expensive is an understatement.
Photo: Internet
However, we are not here to scratch the wounds this may have inflicted on your heart’s desire, but rather to explain the difference in the 3 released models. 
iPhone X Photo: Internet
Of course we expect all ardent Apple fans to have meticulously surfed the internet and probably stay up to catch the live broadcast, but for those of you who are caught in the day-to-day mundane life in Shanghai trying to make ends meet, we thought of simplifying it for you. We request all technology geeks to put off their thinking hats and read further with the novice of a technologically challenged or amateur tech fan’s perspective, ‘cause believe it or not, the mass population falls under that category.
iPhone X Photo: Internet
So lets start with the base facts: Apple Inc. announced three new models of iPhones releasing globally, on Sept 12, 2017 from their new headquarters in California.
Entering its 10th year and decade long anniversary, this was a crucial year for one of the most sought after smartphone companies in the world. And thus there’s a lot riding on these new models, namely; iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the next gen cool kid’s choice- the iPhone X (where in X stands for exclusive, and rightfully so because it comes with a heart sinking price tag of $1400 or 9688 RMB!)
Please selected the payment menthod for your Iphone X Photo: Internet
iPhone 8 Plus Photo: Internet
iPhone 8 Photo: Internet
To be very generic, the most special feature on the iPhone X is its graphics chip. Released with an OLED multi touch and Super retinal high definition display with a resolution of 2346 x 1125 and 458pi.This basically translate to sharper looking images, and brighter colors. Introducing a 12 MP camera with a telephoto lens, it also boasts of two newly introduced features for taking photographs with its Front Camera which are exclusive to this X model: the portrait mode which was available from the iPhone 7 Plus series, but was previously for its rear camera only. For those that don’t know what the portrait mode does, in layman terms, it basically focuses on the object of the photograph and blurs the background to keep singular focus.
Photo: Internet
The other new feature on front camera is move expression. The iPhone X also brings with it the very interesting Animoji (animated emoji) feature that allows users to use the Face ID feature, again exclusive to the iPhone X to merge their facial expressions and plaster it on any emoji of their choice tocreate customized reaction emojis.
Photo: Internet
Finally the two visible distinguishers, the iPhone X features the largest existing iPhone screen with a diagonal measure of 5.8 inches and does not have the home button, is completely multi touch operated.
Photo: Internet
If you’re as swept off the floor as we were, think again. This phone retails at 8388 RMB for its 64GB model and lets not talk of the price of its 256GB model again, we really will cry. Apple has slyly mentioned an additional charge of 1414 RMB as VAT and additional tax plus an extra 1688RMB for 2 years of technical warranty which brings their top of the line model up to a jaw dropping 12790 RMB!
The phone is available only in two colors- silver and dark grey, pre orders open on Oct 27, 2017. I’ll give you a moment to recover from that mini heart attack you just suffered…
Photo: Internet
In comparison to its elitist version, the iPhone 8 falls short. Featuring a 4.7 inch retina HD display with a 12 MP camera sans the telephoto lens, a touch ID instead of the Face ID, an LCD screen in place of the OLED display and 1334 x 750 pixel resolution with 326pi; the iPhone 8 is passable. While the iPhone 8 Plus is closer in features to the iPhone X, we still firmly believe it doesn’t measure up to the exclusive club that makes us want to switch our phones every year. With a 5.5 inch display screen, LCD multi-touch, retina HD lens, touch ID, it sounds an awful lot like the iPhone 8, except for its telephoto lens and the additional portrait features (rear camera only like iPhone 7 Plus) and 10 x zoom lens, which are the same as the iPhone X. Better resolution at 1920 x 1080 pixel, 401pi, still doesn’t bring the phone’s value up to its market price of 6688 RMB for 64 GB and 7988 RMB for its 256 GB counterpart.
Photos: Internet
The iPhone 8 although still super expensive, seems rather meek in its ‘humble’ price range of 5888 RMB- 71888 RMB. Both the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are available in 3 colors- silver, gold and dark grey for preorders starting September 15, 2017. The good thing is that all the new iPhones come with a longer battery life, and A11 chip and they all come with wireless charging. Compared to all of these new swanky phones, the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus now seem remotely affordable. However, we believe Apple is starting to lose its market share due to its pricing and cheaper alternatives being available with similar features in Chinese markets. China based company Huawei recently over took Apple in global market share and for good reason- their highest end model is close to half the price of the iPhone X!
Photos: Internet
Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo could give cut throat competition in local markets and despite the luxury factor at play, a lot of Apple loyalists have been forced to reconsider their purchasing patterns with such an expensive release. The products are no doubt tempting and drool worthy but if you’re telling us we should consider paying almost an average Shanghai person’s entire if not more of a paycheck on a gadget when cheaper options are available, we’d beg to differ. To each his own, but for us, this iPhone release is an eyeroll and scroll. Beginning to dig for our pre-Apple loyalty, hopefully Android will be kinder to us.
Xiaomi Photo: Internet
Oppo Photo: Internet
Vivo Photo: Internet
Watch this space for more. Let us know in comments what you think and if you think you’d be buying this extravagance. And if you feel generous enough, give us a shout out with the likes, comments and shares but we’d be more than accepting of your appreciation in iPhones too. Just saying.
