Telegram founder says using an iPhone is like being in the Middle Ages, bashes software and much more

Recently, The New York Times published a story detailing some concessions Apple has made in terms of user privacy and security in mainland China. At least one person is not happy with those decisions.

As first reported today by Android Central, the founder of the popular messaging service Telegram, Pavel Durov, posted a public post on Telegram bashing Apple for a variety of reasons. Durov doesn’t mince words, saying that people who use Apple products are a “digital slave” to the company, and that Apple is selling “overpriced, obsolete hardware.”

Durov even bashed Apple’s continued use of 60Hz refresh rates with the iPhone lineup. It’s been rumored time and time again that Apple would adopt the ProMotion feature it has on its iPad Pro, but it hasn’t happened yet. And apparently, at least to Durov, that’s a pretty big deal.

Per the post:

Apple is very efficient at pursuing their business model, which is based on selling overpriced, obsolete hardware to customers locked in their ecosystem. Every time I have to use an iPhone to test our iOS app I feel like I’m thrown back into the Middle Ages. The iPhone’s 60Hz displays can’t compete with the 120Hz displays of modern Android phones that support much smoother animations.

Durov says it isn’t the software or the hardware that’s the real problem, but rather that each user is a digital slave to Apple’s business. Durov goes on, saying that it’s “no wonder” that China’s governing body appreciates Apple’s “totalitarian” approach.

You are only allowed to use apps that Apple lets you install via their App Store, and you can only use Apple’s iCloud to natively back up your data.

It’s no wonder that Apple’s totalitarian approach is so appreciated by the Communist Party of China, which – thanks to Apple – now has complete control over the apps and data of all of its citizens who rely on iPhones.

Some harsh criticism of Apple, to be sure. What do you think?