Apple vs. OnePlus: Pros, Cons and Everything in Between

A research paper titled “Factors Affecting Smartphone Decisions of Generation-Y” published in the 2017 Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, assesses the factors playing a role in influencing millennial mobile phone purchase decisions. The findings from this paper suggest a significant co-relation between the procurement of a smart phone and four external aspects sub-divided into primary influencers i.e. brand image, and secondary influencers i.e. product features, price point and social influence. Bearing this in mind we can begin evaluating the pros and cons of investing in products from both tech giants, Apple and OnePlus.

The primary influencer; branding, cannot be discussed without mentioning Jean-Noel Kapferer, an internationally recognized thought leader on brands and brand management. He defines branding as a fulfilment in customer expectations and consistent customer satisfaction. He went on to further divide branding into six segments i.e. physique, personality, relationship, culture, reflection and self-image. These six elements comprise what he termed as a “Brand Identity Prism”. It was his opinion that an establishment which clearly defines and communicates all the afore-mentioned to their intended target audiences, has successfully managed to brand themselves and therefore stand to reap the benefits of said branding. The illustrations below highlight the differences between brand identity prisms for Apple and OnePlus.

It is evident that both brands are unique in their approaches and target audiences. Regardless of this it’s safe to say they have successfully implemented a well-planned strategy, which can be summarised as – Apple follows a more consumer-image based take on branding while OnePlus follows a performance-based stance. The afore mentioned was in fact proved in a research paper titled “The Comparative Study of the Relationship Between Smartphone Choice and Socio-Economic Indicators” from the International Journal of Marketing Studies. Findings from the paper stated that the primary distinction in user intention to purchase between iOS android based operating systems was the socio-economic element or “prestige purchase”.

In other words, you buy an iPhone to look good and you buy an android to work good.

Additional findings reveal that users further inclined towards positive intent to purchase from the Android based operating systems identified more strongly with being tech savvy and maintaining a personal preference for customization. Having discussed the primary influencing factor, we can now proceed to the secondary ones. To better understand these secondary factors, Gadgetshieldz will be using a comparative analysis between latest launches from both firms; the iPhone SE and the OnePlus 8. The table below illustrates this comparative example, beginning with – product features.

The features are clearly listed out and can be discerned by any average smart phone owner. This factor is a variable shifting from one user to the next depending upon personal preferences and so on. However, it is clear both do not fall short of each other in any regard, making the decision much harder to make. This aspect can almost be negated due to how on par both devices are with each other, leaving us with the assessment of remaining factors; price point and social influence.

The iPhone SE is priced at ₹ 42,500 INR (considerably less for Apple) and the OnePlus 8 at approximately ₹ 50,000 INR. Surprisingly, the latter is higher. But not by a significant margin. At this point it would be safe to say since both price point and features of the phones differ only in few areas, the final decision would come down to branding or – how we perceive ourselves, and social influence – how we would like to be perceived.

So, if we were to think of ourselves as individuals more susceptible to the adoption of new technology, then the OnePlus 8 would be the obvious choice despite the price. But if we were to be under the influence of our peers and would prefer to make a prestige purchase, we may be more inclined towards the iPhone SE, now made accessible through its lowered retail price in comparison to its predecessors. Would this decrease in MRP lead to a negative impact on the intention to purchase amongst veteran Apple disciples? Unlikely. Because as they say, “If you don’t have an iPhone, you don’t have an iPhone”.

We don’t actually have evidence to back this up, but if you’ve ever felt the strong urge to punch an iPhone user in the face, that’s proof enough.

The flipside of this situation would be, that if you’ve been pining for the approval of your peers in terms of owning the Gucci belt equivalent of the smart phone industry, then the iPhone SE 2020 comes as a blessing from above. Not to disapprove the OnePlus 8 Pro, being the most expensive phone launched by the company yet. So, chances are if you love the latest in technology and have a combined need for garnering the approval of your social circle from a status point of view, your likely to “Never Settle” and gravitate toward the OnePlus 8 or 8 Pro.

Either way you’re likely to have your own reasons for choosing what you choose. We’ve analysed the facts and done a thorough job as well, so you can pick wisely. What we do advocate to the fullest however is choosing Gadgetshieldz to safeguard that choice.

Despite all that research we couldn’t care less what you buy as long as you slap on one of our Skinnova vinyl phone wraps or full body screen protectors.