Popular iPhone case customization service: Why do many people like "canvas"?
(Dan Tri) - With just over a million VND, an old iPhone can be "transformed" with an appearance similar to the new version. Behind this trend is the psychology of wanting to keep up with the trend and be recognized.
Easily have a new phone appearance for more than a million VND
Every year, new iPhone generations receive great attention from both the technology world and ordinary users. Besides the ecosystem and features, exterior design is also one of the factors that help new iPhone generations be easily recognized.
This also creates another market: "covering" old iPhones to look more like newer versions.
Every time a new iPhone line is released, the service of customizing old models' cases according to the new version's appearance pops up on social networks (Screenshot).
In recent days, Dan Tri reporters have noted that many articles and videos advertising this service have appeared on social networks.
Notably, not only new models, even the iPhone
The reporter contacted a store advertising phone case customization services on social networks. The seller said the price for customization from iPhone 14 Pro Max to an iPhone 17 Pro Max appearance is about 2.5 million VND.
With iPhone XS Max or iPhone 11, the cost of upgrading the appearance of iPhone 17 Pro Max is reported to be about 1.3 million VND.
By spending a small amount of money, users can upgrade the appearance of their old iPhone, even though the inside is still their familiar device (Screenshot).
According to the consultant, iPhone XS Max can change its appearance according to many generations of Pro Max, from iPhone 13 to iPhone 17. Depending on the color and version, customers can choose the corresponding case. However, the seller notes that customers need to bring the device directly to the store so that a technician can check the condition of the device before proceeding.
In videos posted by the store, technicians often check the status of the device, camera and some functions before disassembling the device and replacing it with a new case. Once completed, the device's appearance has many similarities with the iPhone version that the customer chooses.
From the iPhone XR with the original design, the device has a new back to look similar to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, especially in the camera cluster (Screenshot).
However, this is essentially still an old phone. Important components, screens, configurations or serial numbers of the device do not automatically become new versions just by replacing the cover. The machine's inherent functions are basically unchanged.
Some advertising establishments can even intervene with some external details such as connection ports to make the device look more like a new generation.
Some services even advertise that they can intervene in external details such as connection ports to make the "disguise" look more realistic (Screenshot).
In the videos posted by the stores, some customers said that this is an economical choice when wanting to change the appearance of their phone. Instead of spending a large amount of money to change to a new device, they only need to spend from over a million to several million dong to make the device look newer.
However, besides the need to renew the phone in use, a question also arises: Why do people want their old phone to look like a new product, even accepting to change its appearance just to make it difficult for others to recognize?
Why do people want to "advertise"?
Talking to Dan Tri reporter, psychology expert, MSc Le The Hanh, Dai Nam University, said that the above phenomenon can be seen from the increasingly rapid rate of change in technology.
Companies constantly introduce new products, causing a device to have a successor after only 1-2 years. This promotes the desire to experience new products or at least create the feeling of owning a newer device.
According to MSc Le The Hanh, the speed of new product launches can promote the desire to "keep up" with the trend, even when users cannot afford to constantly change devices (Photo: Provided by Character).
However, not all users have the financial ability to continuously upgrade their phones.
"Therefore, some people choose to change the outer shell to make the phone look more like a newer product," Mr. Hanh analyzed.
According to experts, today's phones carry more than just communication functions. In some situations, a person's device can also be seen by those around them as a sign of economic conditions or trend-keeping.
According to Mr. Hanh, behind this phenomenon there may exist a crowd mentality and a sad mentality. When a product or trend receives a lot of attention, a part of users also want to follow it to feel like they are not outside that trend.
The need to customize iPhone cases is sometimes not only to refresh the device but also comes from the desire to integrate, express material conditions and build personal image (Screenshot).
Notably, changing the phone case does not necessarily mean that the user wants to "cover".
Some people simply want to refresh their device. However, in cases where the purpose is to make others believe that they own a more expensive phone, experts say the behavior may be related to the need to build a personal image.
According to him, three prominent needs can be seen: the desire to belong to a group or community; the desire to manifest material conditions; and build a certain image in the eyes of those around you.
Social networks make the pressure to "catch trends" greater
According to MSc Le The Hanh, social networks can amplify this need when users constantly see images of people around them owning new phones, new clothes or expensive items.
One factor mentioned by experts is FOMO (fear of missing out). When information about new products and new trends constantly appears, some people may feel like they are being left behind if they do not own or experience them.
"Following successful models associated with the development of technology can become a way for some people to affirm their image in the eyes of others," Mr. Hanh said.
Social networks can amplify FOMO psychology by constantly bringing images of people owning new items to users, making some people feel like they are being left behind if they cannot keep up with the trend (Photo: Doan Thuy).
Social networks also create conditions for that image to be transmitted to many people. A new phone is not only seen by those sitting at the table, but can appear in selfies, videos, stories or posts that reach hundreds or thousands of people.
According to experts, the problem can appear when a person has to constantly maintain an image of economic conditions or living standards that are higher than actual possibilities.
When they are too dependent on the perceptions of others, they may increasingly seek external validation. If you do not receive the expected response, feelings of anxiety may increase.
Instead of being pressured to own expensive items to be recognized, MSc Le The Hanh advises young people to look back at their needs and financial capabilities before following trends (Illustration: collected).
In the long term, Mr. Hanh believes that some people may also have difficulty determining their true abilities and values.
"It will be difficult for them to answer questions such as: What kind of person am I? What abilities do I have? Where is my value?", the expert said.
When self-worth increasingly depends on what you own and how others evaluate you, your confidence and self-esteem are also at risk of being affected.
Therefore, instead of being pressured to own a new phone or expensive item to prove themselves, Mr. Hanh advises young people to reconsider their needs and financial capabilities before following a trend.
"You can slow down, recognize your own internal values, and then choose ways to express your own abilities and values. When you show your true abilities and values, you can still receive recognition from those around you and, more importantly, recognition from yourself, without having to too much follow external trends," MSc. Le The Hanh shared.