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IPHONE BECOMING A MEASUREMENT OF LUXURY AND HIGHSTANDARD

The iPhone is a line of smartphones designed by Apple Inc. Apple CEO Steve Jobs on January 9, 2007, made public the first-generation iPhone. Ever since it has had a profound impact on the mobile phone industry. It has become one of the most influential consumer electronic devices in history.

In recent years, the iPhone has established itself as more than just a smartphone; it has become a symbol of luxury and class amongst Nigerian youths. Young Nigerians have adopted the ownership of iPhones and Apple products in general as a medium of showing off their wealth.

The price of an iPhone ranges between $600 to over $1000. How can Nigerian youths afford this? Young people drop their savings and every other priority to get an iPhone. They feel pressure from their peer, even in low-income households the pressure to own an iPhone persists. Youths from wealthy families are eager to possess the latest iPhone models to display their family’s (imaginary) prosperity.

From their perspective, owning an iPhone reinforces the perception that they are cared for and belong to a higher social circle. This desire to show their social standing often leads these young people to pressure their parents for the latest phone models.

While iPhones offer an array of advanced features and capabilities, it is essential to acknowledge that they are not a necessity but a luxury of sorts. However, due to the prevailing societal perception, owning an iPhone has become a symbol of success. Its absence can lead to feelings of inadequacy and exclusion.

Parents are also caught in the crossfire of this phenomenon. Some may succumb to the pressure of providing their children with iPhones at a young age. They believe that doing so will convey a sense of care and prosperity. The desire to avoid their children feeling left behind in their social circle. This may lead parents to prioritize purchasing iPhones over other more essential investments.

The depreciation of the Nigerian currency against the dollar is alarming, but that is not stopping the youth from getting iPhones. The euphoria has found its way into the space of love and relationship. Some girls won’t go into a relationship with a boy if he doesn’t have the latest iPhone.

In conclusion, an iPhone is not a necessity. Young people crave attention and the feeling of being among others. That is why most Nigerian youths go for an iPhone over other brands of phones like Samsung, Tecno, Itel, etc. It is unfortunate that young Nigerians now rate people better for their phones having 3 cameras. Some have killed and stolen for it. There are more pressing issues that abound among young Nigerian and owning an iPhone should be the least of their worries. This particular scourge further exposes who we are as a people.