Singer-rapper Santy Sharma sparked a viral reaction by joking about the ₹3 lakh price of Apple’s newly launched iPhone Duo, the company’s first foldable smartphone. Sharma shared an AI-generated image showing him holding the iPhone Duo box in one hand and a white smartphone in the other, while his T-shirt is lifted to reveal a long, stitched surgical incision on his abdomen, implying he sold a kidney to afford the device, according to livemint.com.
The post humorously referenced a popular meme about selling a kidney to buy expensive gadgets, a joke that has resurfaced with the iPhone Duo’s premium pricing. Sharma’s image went viral on social media platforms, reigniting conversations about the affordability of high-end smartphones in India. The rapper’s creative use of AI-generated visuals amplified the satire, drawing attention to the device’s steep cost amid ongoing debates about smartphone pricing in the country.
Apple’s iPhone Duo, priced at ₹3 lakh, represents the company’s entry into the foldable phone market, competing with other premium devices globally. The high price point has sparked criticism and humor alike, reflecting broader concerns about the accessibility of cutting-edge technology for Indian consumers. This incident highlights the tension between luxury tech products and the average buyer’s purchasing power, a recurring theme in India’s smartphone market.
Santy Sharma’s post underscores the cultural impact of Apple’s pricing strategy and the public’s response to it. The iPhone Duo’s launch and its ₹3 lakh price tag have become a talking point beyond tech circles, reaching entertainment and social media domains. The rapper’s viral joke was reported on September 12, marking a notable moment in the ongoing discourse around premium smartphone affordability in India.