This afternoon, vivo executive Wang Qiao issued an apology on a social platform: "I deeply regret that in addressing the community's requests for upgrades, I fell short due to a lack of empathy. Instead of considering others' perspectives, I inadvertently added to their frustration with inappropriate comments. I have since cooperated with the company's internal investigation and accepted the appropriate disciplinary measures. Moving forward, I will temporarily cease updating my Weibo content."

Image source: Weibo @Wang Qiao

The incident began last Wednesday when a user of the Blue Factory commented to Wang Qiao, voicing dissatisfaction: "The flagship X200 Ultra has seen a sharp decline in its Coolapk rating due to delays in updating the main camera lens and Clear Blue filters. This was a model that previously had very positive reviews."

In response, Wang Qiao remarked, "As long as users are content with their devices, the rollout schedule for each model varies."

These comments provoked a strong reaction from numerous users who had invested in the phone, leading to a wave of dissatisfaction expressed online. The Coolapk rating plummeted from 9.5 to 5.4 as a result.

The official Coolapk account, @Coolapk Editor, emphasized that the platform's users are both phone owners and tech enthusiasts who possess a deeper understanding than the average consumer. They enjoy sharing their insights and are proactive in raising questions and suggestions. If such users give their seal of approval, it undoubtedly signifies a high-quality product.

Following Wang Qiao's apology today, many loyal Blue Factory fans believe that apologies and punishments are not ends in themselves but serve as a catalyst for executives to reflect on their behavior and attitudes.

Customers choose to support your flagship products with their hard-earned money, forgoing other brands, because they value your capabilities. Hurting users' feelings undermines the very foundation of your business. Let this be a lesson for the Blue Factory to learn and grow from.