As technology races forward at breakneck speed, smartphones have infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Regardless of whether one lives in the city or the countryside, it seems everyone’s daily routine intertwines with their mobile device. When it comes to choosing a smartphone, aspects like price, features, and user-friendliness all influence consumer choices.
Recently, Xiao Wang bought an expensive Apple iPhone 15 Pro as a birthday gift for his father in their rural hometown. However, not only did his father not like the gift, but he also complained about it, arguing that the device was even less useful than Uncle Zhang’s Xiaomi 10S. So what’s the reason behind this preference?
This article offers a comparative analysis of these two smartphones to explore why a rural senior might favor the Xiaomi over the iPhone.
Price Comparison
Price is one of the most critical factors for consumers purchasing smartphones. As Apple’s flagship product, the iPhone 15 Pro comes with a hefty price tag. The 256GB version costs about 9,000 yuan, which is undoubtedly a significant expense for many elderly people in rural areas.
In contrast, the Xiaomi 10S is a mid-range phone that has been on the market for two to three years. It can now be purchased for just 1,000 to 2,000 yuan, making it far more affordable at 10-20% of the iPhone 15 Pro’s price, thus more acceptable to rural seniors.
Although Xiao Wang’s intentions were undeniably out of filial piety, rural elderly often do not wish their children to overspend, and their phone needs are relatively modest.
Ease-of-Use Comparison
For many rural elderly, the challenge of climbing the steep learning curve associated with smartphone use is real. They prefer phones that are straightforward and easy to operate. While the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is powerful, its iOS operating system may present some learning challenges for beginners.
The Xiaomi 10S runs on the MIUI system, which focuses more on the user experience, offering a clear and simple interface which aligns closely with the habits of users in China, thereby providing greater convenience to rural seniors.
Indeed, the elderly of that era have not been exposed to much technology and use fewer features overall; they barely play games or use the camera. Ease and functionality are the traits they most associate with a good phone.
Feature Comparison
Sound Quality: Sound quality is critically important for many rural seniors. They often use their phones to play music and traditional operas to enrich their lives.
The Xiaomi 10S excels in audio quality, thanks to tuning by Harman Kardon and optimized hardware and software, resulting in a more pleasant and melodious sound. Although the iPhone 15 Pro also has decent audio performance, it slightly falls behind the Xiaomi 10S in this regard. In fact, the loudspeaker performance of the Xiaomi 10S is challenging to match today, and this feature, frequently used by rural seniors, is deemed slightly superior to that of the iPhone.
Screen: For seniors whose eyesight may be deteriorating, screen size is also crucial. The Xiaomi 10S features a large screen, making video viewing and picture browsing clearer and more comfortable.
On the other hand, while the iPhone 15 Pro has a high-resolution display, its size is relatively small at only 6.1 inches, which is not as user-friendly as the 6.7-inch screen of the Xiaomi 10S, potentially posing a challenge for those with poor vision. Bigger fonts make for a more comfortable viewing experience.
Performance: In terms of performance, the iPhone 15 Pro is undoubtedly at the top of its class with its powerful processor and optimized system, ensuring smooth operation for various applications. However, for the rural elderly, such high-level performance is not necessary for running large games or complex apps.
Instead, their focus is on the stability and durability of the device. The Xiaomi 10S also performs well in these areas, with its mid-range processor meeting the everyday usage needs of seniors and offering good stability and durability.
Social Factors Comparison
In rural areas, social factors cannot be overlooked when considering the elderly’s preferences. Many seniors prefer to use the same brand of phone as the people around them, as it facilitates communication and sharing.
Xiao Wang’s father was impressed by the fact that Uncle Zhang’s Xiaomi device provided great sound quality, a large screen, and non-laggy performance, all of which formed a favorable impression of Xiaomi and led to the belief that it was better than the iPhone. From a psychological perspective, this “herd mentality” can significantly impact the purchasing decisions and experience of older users.
The Xiaomi brand, while perhaps perceived as less prestigious among some city dwellers, resonates emotionally with those in rural areas, who are often involved in grain cultivation and may thus have a natural affinity for the brand.
In summary, although the Apple iPhone 15 Pro has significant advantages in performance and quality, for rural seniors, factors like price, ease of use, practicality, and after-sales service may weigh heavier in their decision-making.
In these respects, the Xiaomi 10S undoubtedly performs exceptionally well, and consequently, it wins the hearts of the rural elderly. This explains why Xiao Wang’s father might consider the Xiaomi phone to be more functional than the Apple iPhone.