There is something a little crass about this angle of iPhone marketing.
But marketing the iPhone as a luxury status symbol could be a little dangerous for them since they really only make one flagship phone. Even here in Vietnam I see iPhones all over the place and it just isn't a very effective signal of wealth anymore. But when I pull out my S3 people always want to look at it and play with it.
The phrase "luxury status symbol" caught my attention. More often than people realize, the utility of luxury is independent of signaling status.
There are many well designed and built items which people would own and use even if no one sees them using or knows they own it. For me, Apple products fit into this category.
I'm in Saigon and I would disagree. I pull out my Nexus 7 and nobody gives a shit. I pull out my iPhone and people ask me if its the iPhone 5 (some weird racial correlation between white americans and Apple).
You do see iPhones everywhere though, but when they still cost a good 2-3 months salary for most of the people here, it can only be a signifier of wealth, afaic. I think people still view it as the "right" pair of jeans versus Android's kind of cheap impression.
But that's just my observation, I'm probably wrong.
Edit: Also, if you're in Saigon, we should grab a coffee or something. jon@interfacelab.com
Normally I'm happy to meet up with other hackers here but you were such an extravagant douche to me earlier on HN and to other people here I think I'll pass, thanks.
But marketing the iPhone as a luxury status symbol could be a little dangerous for them since they really only make one flagship phone. Even here in Vietnam I see iPhones all over the place and it just isn't a very effective signal of wealth anymore. But when I pull out my S3 people always want to look at it and play with it.