Apple flagships iPhone, iPad: are they that good, or is it all just Stockholm syndrome?

Why is it so hard to break away from Apple? Is there some Cupertino magic at play where repeated use of the iPhone changes the user’s state, increasing the release of dopamine and increasing the desire for another scroll?

Of course, there are some “defectors” who have switched sides and are now setting up camp on Android Island. There are still those who swing both ways and rock the Pixel and iPhone (one in the left pocket, the other in the right), but such progressive minds are few. There is also a group of people who have abandoned the iPhone in favor of Windows Phone. The last statement, by the way, could turn out to be a complete travesty.

There is no need to list all the groups of people: life is strange, and in it you can find all kinds of associations. However, there is a group of mobile technology users who simply do not believe in using any mobile gadget that does not have the Apple logo on it.

They never wait to hear what you have to say. You might want to give them $15 million, but they’ll never let you finish.

This was confirmed once again:

Let’s dive deeper.

What does the data say?

The article above cites a survey that highlights the heavy dependence of Apple users on their devices, especially the iPhone. The study found – hold on to your hats – that 83% of iPhone owners will replace or repair a lost or broken device within one to two days, with nearly half taking action on the same day.

Overall, 96% of iPhone users wouldn’t go more than a week without replacing or repairing their phone, highlighting its central role in their daily lives.

iPad and Mac users also showed significant dependence on their devices, although to a slightly lesser extent. Among iPad owners, 58% said they would replace or repair a broken or lost tablet within two days, and 27% would do so the same day. Meanwhile, 85% are ready to solve the problem within a week, and only 4% are ready to wait more than a month.

Mac users showed the same sense of urgency, but what does that mean?

Are Apple’s flagships that good?

We must pay tribute – Apple knows how to make mediocre gadgets. iPhone, iPad and Mac may be great for your needs; You don’t have to be a hardcore Apple fan to recognize this. Of course, some iPhones fall far behind on some features (like fast charging speeds) that Chinese competitors offer. Of course, iPhones aren’t cheap. But millions think they’re great, with smooth software and cameras that make you look like a National Geographic photographer—if you know your rules of composition, light, and storytelling.

All this is wrapped in such a close ecosystem that it seems like a virtual hug. Features like FaceTime, iMessage, and AirDrop find make life easier.

You’re not just buying a phone; you enter a high-tech utopia where everything just clicks.

…or is it all just a cult?

But hold on!

It’s all fun and games, but it’s not too outrageous to say that Apple’s ecosystem doesn’t just let you stay connected; he is blocking you. Try switching to Android and suddenly you’re a green bubble in a group chat. Suddenly, your Apple Watch doesn’t allow you to use all of its features.

And let’s face it: owning an Apple device isn’t just practical; it is a social currency. Having the glowing logo on your MacBook at the local vegan bistro is a sign of social status for many people. Apple knows how to make you feel like you’re in the tech VIP section.

But if you have an Apple smartphone, Apple tablet, Apple headphones, watch, laptop or computer – and when one of the devices fails – it’s simply not practical. You are locked.

Meanwhile, Android offers real variety.

A little bit of both, really.

Are we hooked on Apple because their devices are good, or are we all just caught in a shiny cage of Stockholm Syndrome forged in Cupertino? I’m not one for extremes, so I think – as with many things in life – the answer to the question is: both.

The devices are so well designed (and sold so well) that they become indispensable, but Apple’s ecosystem and status game make you stick around longer than you originally intended.