Are Apple fans really more loyal?

by geekzhang on 2013-05-03 11:24:11

Every survey result seems to indicate that the user loyalty of Apple products is higher than other brands. However, some people believe that users are not really loyal; their loyalty stems from insufficient temptation. If Apple's competitors Samsung and Google launch more dazzling new products, would Apple's fans still be as lenient with Apple and commit for life as they are now?Loyalty of Apple FansTrusting others is like believing that the bus you're waiting for will arrive on time. Fundamentally, humans are fickle. In today's world where everything must be shared, people have become increasingly selfish because they need to spend more time considering how to publicly display themselves.Yet, Apple continues to enjoy boundless loyalty from its fans, which is somewhat surprising. A visit to any Apple retail store reveals it's packed with people.Whenever a brand loyalty survey is conducted, Apple seems to always rank at the top. Not long ago, a survey aimed to find out which brand people were least willing to buy. Blackberry appeared to be the brand people were least willing to purchase; Apple ranked last in this list.This week, market research firm Yankee Group stated that by 2015, the number of iPhone users in the U.S. will far exceed Android users. It claims that the number of people indicating an intention to buy an iPhone in the future is twice that of those intending to buy an Android phone.Moreover, it believes that such loyalty isn't just due to the influence of Apple products themselves, but also due to the entire Apple ecosystem. According to relevant statistics, only 9% of Apple smartphone users plan to switch to Android for their next phone; while 24% of Android phone users indicated they would switch to another phone, with 18% planning to switch to an Apple phone.It's not hard to imagine that such conclusions seem to make sense. Those who truly fall for Android phones appear to be more technically-focused insiders, seeing advanced technology in Android. It's difficult to find anyone who thinks Android surpasses Apple in aesthetics or any other emotional factors.Loyalty and Its LimitationsHowever, the more fascinating question is how far this loyalty can go.When you think about people who are loyal to you or whom you are loyal to, you often feel that in such relationships, people tend to overlook certain minor flaws in each other. Yes, she tends to become aggressive when nervous, but I can forgive her because I am loyal to her. Indeed, he behaves rudely politically, but in times of crisis, he always helps me.The entire Apple ecosystem may have its own limitations, but it's relatively easy to navigate. Moreover, the company has rewarded loyal fans, such as having cheerful employees in blue uniforms standing by to help customers with questions. Yes, they do wait right there in the store.The current test is whether this loyalty can bring even a bit of tolerance. Numerous human nature case studies have found that people are always eager to pursue new things. Their expectations are irrationally driven by various fresh things technology allows them to do, such as meeting in a vacuum or painting with their fingers.However, Apple has not met people's nearly疯狂desire—at least in the eyes of some. If a competitor launches a product that makes Apple immediately seem inferior, then people might not be as lenient with Apple as they are now. Their expressions would resemble the look of disdain shown by the wife in movies before eloping with someone else, towards her gradually aging husband.The Temptation of Samsung and Google GlassesSamsung's introduction of larger displays is undoubtedly progress. But it's not enough to dim Apple's shine, although it does pose a certain threat.Some believe that Google Glasses could completely transform the entire market. They envision a new future where everyone will mount their portable computers on their noses, freeing their hands to do more things.This is undoubtedly a different way of thinking.Ultimately, user loyalty to Apple may follow the same path as loyalty in any relationship. You stay because doing so still makes sense, or you haven't found anything elsewhere attractive enough to make you leave.You stay because you still believe things will get better, and you still feel at ease. You might think people are trapped in Apple's ecosystem, but if they don't feel that way, then they aren't trapped.Should I go or stay? This question may depend on the stunning product mentioned by Apple CEO Tim Cook (Tim Cook) during the earnings call last Tuesday, set to launch in the fall.But I believe that people's loyalty to Apple won't fade away instantly.