The first flagship smartphone I purchased was the iPhone 5C in 2013, which cost me ₹42,000. In an impulsive moment, I called up two close friends and convinced them to join me at the mall for a collective purchase. It was the first time I was shelling out such a hefty sum for a mobile device.
Fast forward twelve years, and I found myself purchasing a phone—the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 that costs five times what I spent on the iPhone 5C. This post isn't about my purchasing prowess; it's about the experience of switching between two operating systems, iOS and Android, and, more importantly, exploring the question: "Why do we do what we do?"
Mobile phones have become extensions of our personalities. We aspire to a higher status of living, and it's no surprise that we often satisfy this desire with phones that exceed our budget. Capitalism is adept at exploiting this aspiration, making it ridiculously easy to make big purchases through enticing no-cost EMI options.
I've owned the iPhone 5C, 8, 11, and 14 Pro, effectively marrying myself to the Apple ecosystem. Apple's design language is a true differentiator; the seamless user experience across their tech and software is second to none. However, in recent years, there has been a troubling sameness to the iPhone series. While there have been incremental improvements, the iPhone has lost its sense of fun. Apple seems hesitant to take risks, now prioritising revenue protection over innovation. They can't afford to experiment like others, such as Nothing, and as a result, they're playing it too safe.
In my quest for something fresh, I purchased the Nothing Phone 2 to experience its new design philosophy. However, the excitement faded quickly, and I ended up giving it away. Nothing's design may be good enough to attract new consumers, but it lacks the strength to retain them.
As my 14 Pro approached its third anniversary, a long time for me, considering how often I change phones, I found myself excited to try Google's Pixel series. I almost bought it, but the draw wasn't strong enough.
Then, a few weeks back, I stumbled upon a YouTube video about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. It looked fun and exciting, and the idea of having an 8-inch tablet within a phone was incredibly tempting. Even though I generally dislike watching content on a mobile device, I couldn't ignore the convenience it offered. Almost all the tech YouTubers advised visiting a store to appreciate the phone truly, and I took their advice. Within just 15 minutes of using it, I was floored.
Ultimately, my switch stems from Apple's reluctance to take risks with new features, while Samsung offers a sense of novelty and, yes, some genuinely wild gimmicks. While they may seem gimmicky, several of these features are surprisingly innovative.
Here is a great balanced review from a user on Reddit. I don’t think I could have written a better review than what this random 40-year-old, middle-income Scandinavian person has shared.