The "Royonghao Phenomenon" After Apple's Foldable Phone Launch: An Analysis of Traffic, Emotions, and Truth in the Finance and Business World
Hello everyone, I'm your finance and business journalist. Today, we're not just talking about a new phone; we're also discussing a "traffic battle" that's taking place in the online discourse.
On September 10th, Apple released its first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, with a starting price of 15,999 yuan. As soon as the launch event ended, Royonghao took to Weibo to launch a series of accusations, claiming that Apple had copied everything from Android, even using the harsh phrase "carving dung on dung" to describe the way Apple handled the phone's fold lines.
But if you only see Royonghao criticizing Apple, you're missing the bigger picture. The core of this article is to dissect how a public figure can use "creating controversy" to gain attention in an era where traffic is king, and how we as ordinary people can see through the logic behind it.
Let me break down this phenomenon into five key points in simple language.
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1. Why is Apple's foldable phone the "biggest buzz" of the year? – Because it's the ultimate test for a latecomer
First, we need to understand why a phone can generate such a big reaction. In the finance and tech circles, there's a well-established rule: Apple's product launches always attract a lot of attention. It's like setting off firecrackers during the New Year; everyone looks, whether they like it or not. But this time it's different because it's about a foldable phone.
Previously, foldable phones were seen as the exclusive feature of the Android camp (Samsung, Huawei), and Apple seemed to disdain them. However, after waiting for eight years, Apple finally entered the market. At this point, everyone's expectations were high:
- High expectations: Since Apple is involved, they must have solved the problems that Android hadn't, such as fold lines, hinge durability, and under-screen cameras, right?
- The advantage of being a latecomer: Apple is known for its ability to integrate features and optimize the user experience, not for being the first to innovate. People wanted to see if this "latecomer" could take foldable technology to the next level.
Plus, this is the first major product under the new CEO, John Ternus (nicknamed "Zhang Tienu" by netizens). The debut of a new CEO, combined with the controversy around the product, and other domestic companies using the opportunity to release their own new products to gain attention, all these factors combined made the iPhone Duo the biggest tech highlight of the year.
In simple terms: It's like a restaurant that usually serves standard meals suddenly announcing it's going to offer "creative cuisine." People are both excited and worried about whether it will be a success. This sense of uncertainty is the key to generating traffic.
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2. Royonghao's "seven sins": A technical critique, or an emotional outburst?
Royonghao's criticism was specific: the design was copied, the camera was copied, the proportions were copied... He even said that Apple used a matte screen to hide the fold lines, but the polished camera made the flaws even more noticeable.
Here's the crucial point: Royonghao's criticism is technically valid, but his motives are complex.
- Technically: Foldable phones have been a topic of discussion for a long time, with Android manufacturers having released several generations of them. If Apple were just making minor adjustments to existing solutions, it would be questioned for a lack of innovation. The issues he pointed out, such as fold lines and under-screen cameras, are indeed current challenges in foldable technology.
- Motivationally: Royonghao himself has long since left the phone manufacturing industry. He no longer needs to make money from selling phones; he needs to make money from his words (or, rather, to maintain his influence).
There's a practical logic to it: Criticizing Apple is a low-risk, high-exposure strategy.
- Low risk: Apple respects consumer feedback and won't sue an ordinary user or blogger for negative reviews.
- High exposure: Criticizing Apple is more interesting than praising it because Apple has many fans and many critics, which creates a lot of buzz.
So, Royonghao's "seven sins" are more of a carefully planned "emotional trigger" than a rigorous technical evaluation. He doesn't need to be completely correct; he just needs to be sharp enough to attract attention.
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3. "The Royonghao who Royonghao plays": A carefully crafted media product
The article mentions a profound concept: "The Royonghao who Royonghao plays." What does that mean? The "frank, sharp, sarcastic, and passionate" Royonghao you see online may not be the real Royonghao; it's a "character" that has been crafted by his team.
- The real Royonghao: He may have flaws, make mistakes, and reflect on his actions.
- The crafted character: He is a media product. Every word he says, every expression, every criticism is calculated by a team to determine when and what to say to generate the most traffic.
This explains why Royonghao rarely reflects on his past failures with phones but always criticizes others with confidence. The "critic" persona is more marketable than the "failure" persona.
By continuously sharing his views, he has become an "agenda setter." Whether he's right or wrong, as long as he speaks, people will discuss it. This ability is known as "agenda setting" in the finance and media world.
In simple terms: It's like a debate where the person who raises the first question controls the conversation. Royonghao doesn't need to win; he just needs to keep everyone focused on the issue he raises.
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4. Why does criticizing Apple generate more money than telling the truth? – The leverage of nationalist emotions
The article makes a stark statement: "The benefits of telling the truth based on facts are far less than the benefits of stirring up nationalist emotions."
This might sound harsh, but it's the current reality.
- The cost of telling the truth: If you objectively evaluate the iPhone Duo and say it has improvements and shortcomings, few people will pay attention because it's too rational and boring.
- The benefits of stirring emotions: Saying things like "Apple copied Android" or "Apple's failure with foldable technology is a step backward" can instantly ignite national pride in some and anger in others.
This opposition fuels traffic. Royonghao understands this well. He uses natural antagonisms like "Apple vs Android" or "foreign brands vs domestic products" to turn a product discussion into an emotional debate.
- For supporters: He's "bringing glory to the country" by exposing the hypocrisy of foreign giants.
- For opponents: He's creating noise. Either way, it generates traffic for him, which can be converted into advertising revenue, brand influence, and even political clout.
It's important to note: This doesn't mean Royonghao is a bad person; it just means that in today's world, emotions spread more quickly than facts. Whoever controls the emotions controls the discourse.
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5. What should we do? – Demystifying "media products" is essential media literacy
The article concludes with an important reminder: Demystify "media products." You need to understand that every "influencer," "expert," or "opinion leader" you see online is first and foremost a media product, and only secondly a person.
- Their words may not represent the truth; they represent their interests.
- Their views may not be objective; they are often packaged to maximize impact.
So, when you see Royonghao criticizing Apple or other influencers engaging in public debates, don't rush to take a side or believe everything they say.
Ask yourself three questions:
1. Why are they saying this? Is it for money? To maintain their image? Or do they really care about consumers?
2. What's their evidence? Are it rigorous data or emotional assertions?
3. Will I miss anything important if I ignore their content? If the answer is "no," then their content is just noise.
True media literacy means knowing who is using you. Every time an iPhone is released, it's criticized, but sales remain strong. This shows that those who criticize it and those who buy it are often two different groups. Critics gain traffic and emotional satisfaction; buyers buy the product and the experience.
In conclusion: Royonghao's criticism is not about right or wrong; it's a survival strategy. By setting the agenda and stirring emotions, he has become a "traffic generator." As ordinary people, our task is not to argue with him but to see through the game.
Remember: In this era, what really matters is who is using your attention to their own benefit. Stay clear-headed and think independently; that's our only weapon against these manipulative discussions.