In Azerbaijan, the race for the latest smartphones has turned into a social phenomenon. Shoppers line up overnight to be among the first to purchase new models, even when prices reach 3,000–5,000 manats ($1,760–$2,940). Some go into debt just to own the latest device.
Sociologist Elchin Bayramli told Bizim.Media that this is far from normal consumer behavior:
“Living for fashion and chasing every trend is a psychological syndrome. Global corporations exploit this weakness by selling products at inflated prices. New models are often almost identical to previous versions, with only minor changes in design or functions, yet they are marketed at much higher prices. Buying them immediately is not a rational choice – it’s a disorder.”
Bayramli argues that such behavior reflects a deeper social problem:
“In our society, people try to prove their worth with possessions – phones, cars, clothes – instead of values, intellect, or culture. Those who rush to buy a 5,000 or 6,000-manat phone don’t even use its full capabilities. They make simple calls and messages that could be done on a $300 device. The purchase is mainly for show, not need.”
According to the sociologist, this pursuit of status symbols is linked to an “inner emptiness”:
“It’s a form of brainwashing, a system of zombification. People with moral or emotional voids try to validate themselves through objects. This is a sign of serious psychological problems, and they need professional help.”
Bayramli stressed that true value is measured not by what someone owns but by their ethics, education, and cultural depth.
