Apple launched a 498 yuan Year of the Dragon mobile phone case: the number of dragon claws caused controversy, and the flat model was only sold for 25 yuan and free shipping
Cover News Reporter Ma Mengfei
Recently, Apple launched a "Year of the Dragon Special Edition" mobile phone case, priced at 498 yuan, which has caused widespread heated discussions. According to Apple's official website, in order to welcome the arrival of the Spring Festival in the Chinese Lunar Year of the Dragon, the official launch of an iPhone and iPad exclusive case "OtterBox", carefully drawn by the well-known illustrator "Yulong Lli".
Apple's official website has a Year of the Dragon phone case on the shelves
However, the mobile phone case caused great controversy as soon as it was launched, and the focus of the debate among netizens was that the pattern dragon claws were four claws, which were considered to be "four claws for the python", so the # Apple Year of the Dragon mobile phone case was complained about pointing out that the python was a dragon# quickly appeared on the hot search, and as of press time, the topic has been read by more than 90 million people.
On the other hand, the price of the mobile phone case is as high as 498 yuan, and netizens complained, and the reporter found on the third-party shopping platform that the same mobile phone case is 25 yuan free shipping.
Apple launched a 498 yuan Year of the Dragon phone case
Designer: Inspired by "Social Fire"
The reporter learned from Apple's official website that in order to welcome the arrival of the Spring Festival in the Chinese Lunar Year of the Dragon, the official launched an iPhone, iPad exclusive case "OtterBox Lumen", suitable for the iPhone 15 full range of models, priced at 498 yuan.
According to the product information, the OtterBox Lumen series case has a comfortable feel and is lightweight and portable, able to withstand strong shocks, and has a built-in MagSafe magnet. Drop+ tested and certified and made from 50% recycled materials, the design with raised edges protects the camera and screen.
The reporter saw that this protective case uses a peony fireworks pattern, with bright color lines to make a brave Chinese dragon lifelike, with red as the main color is very festive, but from the pattern, an exposed dragon claw is four claws.
The reporter noticed that the pattern of the phone case for the Year of the Dragon was carefully drawn by the well-known illustrator "Yulong Lli". According to public information, Yulong Lli is a Chinese artist whose creations mostly use illustrations as a carrier, studying Eastern and Western graphic symbols and visual narratives. He has won many international awards and has cooperated with many brands and institutions such as Apple and Google.
On January 22, Yulong Lli posted on Weibo that he had some ideas for the creation, saying, "Growing up in northern China, I really enjoyed watching the 'social fires' with fireworks, acrobatics and dragon dances during the Chinese New Year, which is also a treasure trove of inspiration for me. Therefore, I present a dialogue between tradition and modernity in a fusion approach. Brilliant peony fireworks patterns, curling and flowing cloud lines and bright colors vividly show the dragon's fierce spirit and symbolize festivity and auspiciousness. ”
Customer service: There will be no more updates to the design
iPhone 15 Pro Max版本已下架
For this phone case, the focus of controversy among netizens is the number of dragon claws.
Some netizens pointed out: In traditional Chinese culture, "five claws are dragons, and four claws are pythons", which is actually "referring to pythons as dragons". However, there are also voices that say that dragons in traditional Chinese culture did not have five claws at the beginning, but developed from three, four and five claws. There are also many netizens who believe that "we must respect traditional Chinese culture".
So for the controversy over the dragon claw of the mobile phone case, will it be redesigned in the future?Tmall Apple Store official flagship store customer service responded that there will be no more updates on the design in the future. In addition, the customer service also said that at present, these limited phone cases for the Year of the Dragon are sold out in limited quantities, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max model has been removed from the shelves. "Every year's New Year limited style, the sales are still very good, the Year of the Dragon design is currently the most outstanding style in recent years. The customer service said.
The reporter also asked Yulong Lli about his views on the "four-claw controversy", but did not reply as of press time.
Li Yousheng, a member of the Chinese Folk Literature and Art Association and an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, told reporters that in terms of folk art expressions, there is a saying that "four claws are dragons, five claws are pythons" and "the fewer claws, the lower the level". In fact, there are three and four dragon claws on ancient Chinese murals and utensils, and there are no certain rules. With the evolution of history, the number of dragon claws has gradually become a status symbol, that is, the number of dragon claws has increased or decreased according to their respective status, so the four-clawed and three-clawed dragons are depicted.
Li Yousheng's dragon pattern paper-cut work
The third-party platform has free shipping for the same 25 yuan
Covering the whole series of iPhone 13-15
It is worth noting that even aside from cultural differences, the price of Apple's limited protective case for the Year of the Dragon is still much complained about, and netizens think that "the price of a plastic shell is as high as 498 yuan, which is too expensive." ”
Interestingly, the phone case launched by Apple this time once again uses "environmental protection" as a publicity gimmick, claiming that this protective case is 50% from recycled materials (recycled garbage), and at the same time provides users with a lifetime warranty, which can be compatible with accessories such as Apple magnetic chargers and stands, in addition, the phone case has passed the Drop+ test, which is claimed to be "3 times the US military standard".
The same mobile phone case on a platform is free shipping for 25 yuan
For the mobile phone case, the reporter saw the same product on two shopping platforms, including a second-hand shopping platform search shows that there are three stores selling related products, the lowest price is 24.9 yuan free shipping, the product page reads "Year of the Dragon limited Apple mobile phone case replacement series, 15 full series, 14 full series, 13 full series, know how to come quickly, not much inventory".
The reporter inquired and learned that the mobile phone case is a non-magnetic version, and the rest is almost the same as the original, and it will be shipped within 48 hours after the purchase order. In another store, the reporter learned that the store's magnetic version of the same mobile phone case is priced at 59.9 yuan free shipping, and it will be shipped within 12 hours after the photo, and the store also provides the original blue, transparent black, and opaque black versions. However, I have not seen the purchase history yet.