Chinese netizens heavily criticize the iPhone 15.

Apple introduced the iPhone 15 series in September. Data shows that China – the world's largest smartphone market – wasn't entirely impressed with Apple's new smartphone. Bloomberg , citing data from research firm GfK, reported that iPhone 15 sales in its first week of release there were 6% lower than those of the iPhone 14.

A Chinese customer examines the iPhone 15 Pro and the Huawei Mate 60 Pro. (Photo: Reuters)

Chinese social media is also flooded with opinions about the iPhone 15. According to Business Insider, posts related to the iPhone 15 have attracted over 100 million views on the Weibo platform.

While some criticize the high price and lack of new features compared to competitors, others compare the iPhone 15 to domestic smartphones like the Huawei Mate 60 Pro – which launched a few weeks earlier and is being hailed as a resounding success.

"It's not that Huawei is superior, but that Apple is too weak. If it were you, would you upgrade to the iPhone 15 just for the USB-C charging port?" one person questioned on Weibo.

Another commenter wrote: “Except for Apple’s software, everything else is terrible. The price is also much higher. Now, Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo are on par with, if not better than, Apple.” “Even my 5-year-old Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro still works well. It doesn’t freeze, and I don’t need to carry a power bank when I go out. What is Apple doing with its phones?” this person added.

Some people expressed admiration for the minimalist design of the iOS operating system but didn't forget to criticize Apple for only making minor improvements compared to previous models. "There's no big difference between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15," one person pointed out that both phones have the same screen refresh rate. "The camera hasn't improved much. The battery is small. Charging takes a long time. The phone signal is poor. No upgrade needed," the author continued.

Negative reviews of the iPhone 15 weren't limited to China. When Apple first announced the product, the company faced strong backlash from fans, who called it "extremely disappointing."

On Weibo, one person asserted that "the iPhone 15 has ceded significant market share to the Huawei Mate 60" because both companies target the same user segment. "iPhones aren't cheap. Apple makes huge profits from iPhones. Buying an iPhone is like giving cash to Americans," this person wrote.

Apple is facing pressure in China amid continuing US-China tensions. The American tech giant's position in the world's most populous nation is becoming increasingly precarious. The Chinese government has banned some officials from using iPhones and launched an investigation into Foxconn, Apple's main contractor.

China is a crucial market for Apple, serving as both a manufacturing hub for iPhones and a major source of revenue. Approximately 18% of Apple's total revenue comes from China. The iPhone is one of the most popular smartphones in the country. In the fourth quarter of 2022, one-quarter of mobile phones sold there were Apple products, according to research firm Counterpoint .

(According to Insider)

iPhone 15 Pro Max continues to arrive in Vietnam, the price of the natural titanium version has dropped . Authorized Apple retailers (AAR) in Vietnam report that the iPhone 15 Pro Max is now back in stock, with sufficient quantities to meet user demand, and the price of the natural titanium version has decreased compared to its launch price.

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