Apple's iPhone 16 Series Faces Scrutiny: Zero Innovation? Pricey?

Apple's iPhone 16 Series Faces Scrutiny: Zero Innovation? Pricey?Following Apple's fall launch event, Luo Yonghao, a prominent Chinese entrepreneur, voiced his criticism on Weibo, stating that the iPhone 16 series is "another innovation-less release." Previously, he had ridiculed the iPhone 13 series, stating "two cameras rotated 45 degrees make a new generation? If this were my subsidiary, I'd fire every product manager and designer

Apple's iPhone 16 Series Faces Scrutiny: Zero Innovation? Pricey?

Following Apple's fall launch event, Luo Yonghao, a prominent Chinese entrepreneur, voiced his criticism on Weibo, stating that the iPhone 16 series is "another innovation-less release." Previously, he had ridiculed the iPhone 13 series, stating "two cameras rotated 45 degrees make a new generation? If this were my subsidiary, I'd fire every product manager and designer." This year, the controversy surrounding the iPhone 16 series seems to be greater than in previous years, particularly due to the disparity in features across different regions.

The EU version of the iPhone 16 series supports sideloading, allowing users to uninstall pre-installed apps (including the default browser), but it lacks support for Apple Intelligence. This implies that EU users have more freedom to choose third-party apps but also miss out on the convenience provided by Apple Intelligence. This regional differentiation strategy has sparked questions about Apple's motives: why treat consumers differently based on their location?

Furthermore, the price difference between different storage versions of the iPhone 16 series has also ignited debate. It's understood that the price gap reaches 2000 yuan between different storage options, prompting users to question if Apple is "selling storage as gold."

Renowned Apple journalist Mark Gurman believes that a major upgrade wave is unlikely this year, partially attributed to global consumers tightening their budgets. However, a more crucial factor is the device itself. The new iPhones appearance is almost identical to last year's model. While some minor upgrades have been implemented, a completely new design is necessary to entice consumers to purchase.

Luo Yonghao's comments and Mark Gurman's analysis highlight the unprecedented challenges facing the iPhone 16 series. Consumers increasingly prioritize innovation and value for money, and Apple seems to be failing to meet their expectations.

Regardless, the launch of the iPhone 16 series undoubtedly represents a technological feast and will spark reflection on the smartphone industry. In the future, smartphone manufacturers need to constantly innovate to earn consumers' approval.