Editorial: Why Nigerians Don’t Like The iPhone (Yet)

With each launch of an iPhone, the streets of Washington DC are always filled to capacity with fans of the hotly anticipated device trying to quickly lay their hands on it

Apple has over the years earned a reputation for producing top quality products and were equally crowed the most valuable brand in the world, overtaking the prestigious Coca-Cola, while Google and Microsoft looked from below the spot. Needless to say why majority of Americans are hyped by the release of a new iPhone?

Unlike other mobile vendors that changes a few things when releasing a new smartphone for the sole purpose of milking innocent consumers, Apple has always taken a very different approach with its mobile devices, ensuring that every new iPhone is a massive upgrade over its predecessor; the reason why you don’t see a stack load of iPhone products everywhere. It would be near impossible to have an instant idea of how many mobile phones China based Tecno has produced in the last five years. If you don’t lose count of it, then it’s safe to have the genius tag attached to your name.

It’s no secret that iPhone users continues to lag behind other smartphones users in Nigeria, most of whom have found love with Android mobile devices. There is a clear different show of enthusiasm between when a new Android mobile device is launched as compared to when a new iPhone is launched.

Americans eagerly waiting at an AT&T store to get their hands on an iPhone

For instance, a stroll in the nation’s commercial hub Lagos, will reveal a massive usage of Tecno mobile products on the palms of smartphone users. Further study reveal that most of them are willing to swap their current Tecno mobile devices for another smartphone and not necessarily the iPhone.

In the reverse, iOS is a closed OS. It requires a great deal of task to effectively manage it. You need to own a personal computer to initiate a successful media transfer between your iPhone and PC. An attempt to sync your iPhone on a friend’s PC will automatically mean starting things again from the scratch.

First iPhone 5S owner showing off his trophy

A traditional iPhone won’t let you accept media easily as in the case of Android devices. While this has it own advantages, including the bragging rights of not being susceptible to digital viral infection. It is really crazy to see stuffs you like on another mobile device, and you can’t have it to yourself because Apple won’t give you that privilege.

The iPhone battery is non-removable. Although there are a few Android mobile devices that won’t let you rip off your battery, but you have a choice to avoid them altogether. I really get nervous when I am on a call; is my iPhone going to die on me? I can’t have an extra battery so if the worse happens, I have to look for a wall jacket to hug, that’s pretty insane especially being in a region like Nigeria where the poor state of power transmission doesn’t force anyone to give a hoot.

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Now, this is hilarious but I guess it can be treated as another reason why Nigerians don’t like the iPhone. Apple won’t dump for good, the traditional 4-inch display. A lot of Nigerians are very much comfortable holding a 5-inch mobile device and many have even found love with 6-inch mobile phones. It could be safe to say the bigger the screen, the bigger the sales? I don’t fall for big displays, however. But it’s a trend that has become popular in recent years. I believe mobile phones should be compact and not so big that it causes a scene when you are on a call in public places. Too big and it no longer qualifies for a phone as in the case of Tecno A3. Could that really be termed a smartphone?

Tecno A3

Finally, the iPhone is expensive. Before Nokia lost his relevance in the smartphone world, they had taken a jab at Apple, mocking the company with it’s belief that the iPhone was never going to get a main stream appeal because of the outrageous price slammed on it. Thanks to AT&T, a deal between Apple and the telecommunication giant saw the price of the original phone fall as low $200. Within few weeks, the result was obviously an instant surge in sales. Every other iPhone have had various incentives for the Americans to quickly pick one up, including the capacity to own a new iPhone and pay later.

Such a thing would impossible to replicate in Nigeria, because we lack a comprehensive database that can make any company take that risk. Since majority of Nigerians can’t afford the iPhone, the alternative which is equally good becomes the desirable. Tecno Mobile is a huge beneficially of the price factor. This has really helped in transforming Nigeria from a feature phone nation to a smartphone nation.

So, you are a Nigerian and you want a smartphone, but you don’t want an iPhone? What could crop this idea, really?

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