How does it feel to be rejected… by a criminal? Imagine the very people who stoop to any kind of petty theft are turning you down.
Well, Android users in London would know a thing or two about the feeling as they are facing this new, slightly humiliating crisis: thieves are outright rejecting their non-iPhone devices. “Don’t want no Samsung,” they say.
London is quickly emerging as Europe’s hotspot for phone theft, or rather iPhone theft. Thieves approach unsuspecting locals and tourists, strike up casual conversations to lower their guard, and then snatch phones before vanishing into the crowd. Some are polite about it; others, not so much. But a new trend has emerged among these phone-stealing syndicates: the selective snatching of iPhones.
And even though none of us like getting robbed, but in a kind of twisted way, there’s a sort of a tiny ego boost attached with the knowledge that what you own is desirable… at least to someone. But clearly, Android users can’t say the same.
One local experienced it firsthand. His phone was grabbed on the street, but as he gave chase, he saw the thief glance at the device, realize it wasn’t an iPhone, and toss it aside.
Why the favouritism? iPhones have a higher resale value and sell well in black markets, especially in third-world countries. In the world of crime, they’re the most valuable commodity—truly, the apple of the thieves’ eyes. To be fair, from a thief’s point of view, iPhone theft seems to be a more profitable endeavour than any other phones. I mean, if one is taking such risks, they might as well go big or go home! And Android phones don’t really scream going big.
While I am sure getting rejected by a snatcher on the streets deals a massive blow to the ego, the silver lining for Android users is that at least your devices are relatively “safe.” No need to fret about barely useful theft or loss insurance (looking at you, Apple Care+). They can hopefully sleep better at night knowing that no one is interested in what they have to offer.
