The iPhone 18 Pro series has officially made its debut.

On its launch day, the price dipped below its issue price, prompting numerous media reports suggesting that scalpers were shunning the iPhone 18 Pro due to weak demand. Some scalpers who had stockpiled the devices reportedly incurred losses amounting to XX yuan on the very first day.

Does this scenario ring a bell?

In fact, this isn't an isolated incident for this year alone. Similar narratives have emerged annually with each iPhone release, highlighting issues such as prices falling below the issue price, lackluster demand, and scalpers facing significant financial setbacks due to their stockpiles.

After some analysis, I've observed that, in recent years, regardless of the iPhone model, the online sentiment surrounding its release has typically evolved through five distinct phases. See for yourself if this pattern holds true.

Phase 1: Post-Launch Skepticism
Immediately following the release, many enthusiasts stay up late to watch Apple's launch event, only to comment that Apple has lost its innovative edge in recent years, merely churning out minor updates that don't justify a purchase. They argue that only a fool would buy it.

Phase 2: iOS Upgrade Caution
As the new phone nears market availability and the new iOS begins to roll out, online sentiment shifts to caution against upgrading. Reports abound of numerous bugs, including increased battery consumption, unexpected crashes, lag, and even the potential for the phone to become unusable. It's also suggested that older phones may become so sluggish as to be rendered useless, implying that Apple is using this tactic to coerce users into upgrading their devices.

Phase 3: Launch Price Dip and Scalper Woes
When the new phone hits the shelves, discussions naturally turn to how the new iPhone's price dips below its issue price right from the start, with claims of lackluster sales and scalpers suffering heavy losses. The more they stockpile, the greater their losses. There are even seemingly credible reports of major scalpers incurring losses in the millions.

Phase 4: Price Drop Narrative
Around 1-2 months after the sale, and coinciding with events like Double 11, price cuts and promotions abound. The narrative then shifts to Apple being the "king of price drops," with the device's value plummeting by XX within just over a month of its release, making it seem less valuable than domestic alternatives. The myth of Apple's invincibility is shattered, and consumers who bought at launch are said to have lost thousands in just two months.

Phase 5: Year-End Sales Triumph
At the end of the year, when sales statistics are compiled, everyone is surprised to find that Apple, which was previously seen as lacking innovation, plagued by buggy iOS, experiencing launch price dips, and being the "king of price drops," has actually secured the global top spot, even ranking first in the Chinese market, solidifying its king-like status.

So, hasn't Apple been navigating through these five phases in recent years?

And now, the iPhone 18 Pro series finds itself in the midst of Phases 2 and 3, with a flurry of news about prices dipping below the issue price, weak demand, scalpers losing money, and iOS bugs deterring upgrades.

In just over a month, it will transition into Phase 4, and by the end of the year, it will reach Phase 5.