After the launch of the new iPhone 16 series this year, conspiracy theories about “remote detonation” have emerged in China, causing concern among consumers. In response to this, Apple’s official website addressed the rumors.
On September 20th, the four models of the iPhone 16 series were officially released. Consumers lined up outside Apple retail stores in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
However, as the aftermath of the explosion of telecommunication equipment in Lebanon continues to unfold, the security of foreign communication devices like the iPhone has come under scrutiny in Chinese public opinion.
According to a report by Qubit Technology on September 22nd, following the release of the iPhone 16 series, several bloggers immediately disassembled the iPhone 16 Pro. One blogger found that the Pro version’s battery uses a steel casing, and during the disassembly, there were instances of leakage and overheating. Subsequently, various videos promoting conspiracy theories of “explosions” were circulated.
In response to this, a Phoenix Net technology reporter contacted Apple’s customer service. The technical consultant from customer service responded that they cannot verify the authenticity of the information circulating online, but Apple’s products undergo strict quality inspection processes before being sold. If there were any issues like remote detonations, the country would not allow the devices to be sold, so the devices are definitely safe.
It is reported that the reason Apple used a steel casing for the battery of the iPhone 16 Pro for the first time is likely related to EU policies.
As per a report by IT Home on July 1st, Tianfeng International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that the new iPhone model will adopt a stainless steel battery casing, which can reduce the difficulty of dismantling the battery to comply with EU regulations, while also increasing the battery’s energy density under safety standards (up to 5-10%).
In 2023, the EU passed a resolution requiring portable devices (phones, tablets, etc.) to adopt designs that make it easy for consumers to disassemble and replace batteries, set to be implemented by 2027.
Furthermore, according to sources from Wall Street, Apple’s supply chain exclusively revealed that the batteries in the iPhone 16 series will be switching from aluminum and plastic film to stainless steel, supplied by a Chinese company.
In fact, Apple’s iPhones in China have been targeted by the Chinese Communist Party’s online propagandists more than once.
Last September, during the hot sales of the new iPhone 15 series in China, the CCP’s online propagandists criticized Apple’s website for depicting a so-called “braided man” as “insulting to China.” Subsequently, official CCP media outlets also hyped up the issue, leading it to trend on social media.
However, after verification by mainland Chinese media, it was confirmed that the Apple customer service representative was an American Indian employee, and this female staff member’s image was not only present on the Chinese official website but also on the official websites of Apple in countries like the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
It is worth noting that on the eve of Apple’s pre-sale of the iPhone 15 in China, the CCP authorities demanded that central government officials should not use Apple’s iPhones or other foreign brand devices at work and should not bring them into their offices.