LinkedIn takes hit as backlash follow controversial post

By Zion Rufus

Professional social platform, LinkedIn has found itself under intense criticism after users began to react to a “highly controversial” post on Thursday evening which reads in part “Apple has just released its new iPhone 14 but will Africans actually buy it?”.

The post which has been tagged “offensive and insensitive” follows the recent launch of Apple’s new iPhone 14 series, Watch Ultra, and Airbuds.

Freelance journalist and LinkedIn user, rheiner W stated in his response: “Being from, and living in Africa, I find this remark to be offensive. In South Africa we have various malls with Apple Stores and all 3 our carriers have Apple IPhones as part of their contracts. It is always a question of: how affordable is the handset, and what can I do with that handset? We are indeed more in Africa than less. Disappointed with #Linkedin and Linkedin News Africa.

Although there will be no price increases on the newly launched iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max which features Emergency SOS via Satellite and much-improved cameras(amongst many other thrilling features), the question of its purchase by Africans further flagged concerns as “tons of Africans bought the iPhone 13 series and there isn’t much price difference..”

“This is an insult to Africans I must say,” tech expert Ayomide Faseun said in a LinkedIn post. “The percentage of users may not be huge, but why will you insinuate that we can’t afford it?”

Joshua King TL, an affiliate marketing coach said: “For the record, the richest man and woman in Africa are Nigerians. So when you say Africa, kindly remove Nigeria from your list. Nigerians will go for anything they love especially those who can afford it. iPhone sells in Nigeria for two reasons: photography (clear quality photos) and most importantly ‘status’”.

LinkedIn user Habineza Remy briefly reponded: “I found the title of this article offending.”

Digital marketing strategist, Unopa Mazwigwila pointed in his response: “Brand loyalty works differently here in Africa. Those that can afford can buy it just to be on brand.”

However, The higher-end iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Max will include an always-on screen and a streamlined cutout for the front camera that can also display notifications. The new products will retail for US$999 and US$1,099, respectively, and orders will open Friday 9th September 2022.

The more basic iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus will start at US$799 and US$899. Apple also announced the outdoorsy Apple Watch Ultra, which has a more durable titanium case and can get up to 60 hours of battery life. It will start at US$799. Apple’s new AirPods Pro will have MagSafe charging, an on-case speaker, touch volume control and upgraded noise cancelation. They’ll retail for US$249.

According to a report from Statista, Google’s Android is the leader in the mobile operating system market in Africa. In June 2022, it accounted for 86.05 percent of the mobile OS market, with Apple’s iOS the next major competitor with a 12.19 percent share.