New iPhones Fail to Wow Chinese Consumers

Despite being among of the first to receive the new Apple models, Chinese netizens still feel cheated over both price and size

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Ng Han Guan / AP Photo

A journalist uses her Apple's mobile device during a media event held in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013.

Apple’s unveiling of new iPhone models sparked disappointment among social media users in China, despite news that the country’s market would be among the first to gain access to the devices.

“Too small” was a frequent comment among netizens, who have grown fond of the larger screens of rival brand Samsung. But the main contention was the price of iPhone 5c, heralded as Apple’s new “budget” option. At 4,488 yuan ($733), the device will be more expensive in mainland China than the high-end iPhone 5s will be in Hong Kong. “I feel cheated,” one user wrote on China’s Twitter-like microblog Sina Weibo. “The ‘c’ in 5c is supposed to mean ‘cheap.’”

Whereas others ridiculed the iPhone 5c’s plastic case and spread pictures comparing the multitude of color options to Crocs footwear, there were also positive comments calling the device “colorful,” “cute” and comparing it to the iPod mini, a budget-priced audio player that was discontinued in 2005.

[South China Morning Post]