Love, technology, and a touch of genius collided when a young man in Beijing turned an iPhone 17 into the centerpiece of a romantic proposal that’s now sweeping across China. But here’s where it gets controversial—how does blending a luxury tech gadget with a timeless gesture like marriage actually work? Let’s dive into the story that’s sparking debates about love, creativity, and modernity.
On September 19, the day the iPhone 17 launched, a man in Beijing executed a proposal so clever it’s gone viral. He brought his girlfriend to a park, presented her with a massive bouquet of flowers and a ring, and then—while still on one knee—pulled out a surprise: the brand-new iPhone he’d purchased earlier that day. Sounds odd? Wait for it.
The twist lies in Mandarin pinyin. “iPhone 17” is pronounced Ai Feng Shi Qi—a phrase that not only mirrors his girlfriend’s name, Feng Shiqi, but also incorporates the word ai, meaning “love.” Talk about a double entendre! Standing there with the phone in hand, he declared, “This is an iPhone 17. I swear to always love Feng Shiqi! (Ai Feng Shiqi)” His grin said it all.
According to local reports, the man had been planning this for months. He revealed he’d been saving up for the iPhone 17 since early in the year, waiting for its release to turn it into a symbolic gesture. “I couldn’t wait any longer,” he shared, explaining how he ordered the phone online and had it delivered just in time for the big day. And yes, the moment worked—it’s not every day you hear a proposal where the tech itself becomes the love letter.
And this is the part most people miss: the cultural nuance here. In China, wordplay and homophones are deeply embedded in traditions like weddings and festivals. By using the iPhone 17’s pronunciation to mirror his vows, the man tapped into a centuries-old practice of encoding meaning into everyday objects. But does this make the gesture more heartfelt—or does it risk reducing romance to a clever marketing stunt?
Let’s be real: the iPhone 17 is a status symbol, a piece of cutting-edge tech. Pairing it with a marriage proposal might feel jarring to some. Yet, in a world where couples exchange gifts like smartwatches or AirPods, is this really so different? Or is it a bridge too far between love and consumerism? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments: Is this a brilliant modern twist on tradition, or does it risk making love feel too transactional?
One thing’s for sure—the couple’s story has already made history. Feng Shiqi said “yes,” and now the world is watching to see if their love will outlast the phone’s battery life. After all, what’s a marriage without a little tech to keep it charged?
