Unsettling 'Nightline' Tour of Apple Factory Won't Make Me Ditch My iPhone (VIDEO)

on February 22, 2012 at 3:03 PM

Nightline inside Foxconn Apple factory I've never questioned where my precious white iPhone came from. I guess after going to one-too-many Apple stores, I envisioned a similar operation on a larger scale, based in China, where the workers are happy, playing with iPhones all day, and wearing matching royal blue T-shirts. Thanks to ABC's Nightline, I now know I was very wrong. Tuesday night Nightline correspondent Bill Weir took viewers on the first-ever tour of Foxconn -- the plant where Apple products are made. It was anything BUT the Apple utopia of my dreams.

In the factory, thousands work 12-hour shifts. They're overtired and get paid $1.78 an hour. Most of the Apple products are handmade, and it takes five days and roughly 325 sets of hands to assemble one iPad. What's worse? Outside of Foxconn, there are suicide nets.

Horrifying? Yes. Did it make me think the company needs to improve its working conditions? Of course. However, knowing about Foxconn doesn't make me want to stop being a dedicated Apple customer.

The entire segment from last night's Nightline is up on their website, but you can take a preview here:

Does watching this footage warm my heart and make me feel like an awesome person? Of course it doesn't. However, Apple products are the best ones on the market right now. In my mind, there's really no way to argue that. From the MacBook Pro to the iPhone and iPod -- everything I've ever owned with the Apple logo on it has been reliable, high-functioning, and long-lasting.

When you watch the whole segment, you can see that people in China WANT to work at Foxconn. In fact, they gather in masses trying to get in the factory gates. The demand is high, and the company needs to employ more and more workers to fill the gazillions of orders. Sure, inside the factory isn't my ideal Apple utopia. However, the harsh reality is that if the iDemand is going to keep booming (and something tells me it is), then nothing's going to be changing at Foxconn any time soon.

Does seeing the Nightline segment make you feel differently about buying Apple products?

Image via Nightline

About the author Emily Abbate

is a blogger and Editorial Assistant here at The Stir.

Filed Under: apple, electronics, web, tablets, news

Comments (11)

billsfan1104

on Feb 22, 2012 at 3:26 PM

Hypocrites

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ashjo85

on Feb 22, 2012 at 3:43 PM

Way to stick up for your principles! And by principles I mean "I pledge allegience to my phone, and the fastest 4G network on earth." It's ok, because they LIKE working in those conditions! :eye roll:

i.heart.nerds

on Feb 22, 2012 at 3:49 PM

Says a lot about you OP. I won't touch an Apple product with a ten foot pole.

Nonmember comment from Mommaworries

on Feb 22, 2012 at 4:18 PM

test your Iphone in a early spring storm for me. I'm interested to see how much the extra metal works at a conductor. Im also glad to see you standing up for your technology. Those factory workers are just causalities for the sake of your personal entertainment. Buy a kindle fire, you daft bimbo.

Nonmember comment from Anne Michels

on Feb 22, 2012 at 4:45 PM

If this article makes you not want to buy an apple product - you'd better also toss your Kindle, Wii, Playstation, and other gadgets. They are all assembled in the Foxconn factories.

Procrastamom

on Feb 22, 2012 at 5:26 PM

I'm not an Apple drone, but I'm smart enough to know that my Android wasn't made by people that get paid or treated any better than these workers. It sucks.

Nonmember comment from Mra. Clark

on Feb 22, 2012 at 6:28 PM

U made urself sound like a total douche.

the4mutts

on Feb 22, 2012 at 7:01 PM

Okay, I understand that, well, all techy gadgets are made this way. I also understand that it won't stop people from buying them. I own a droid, and a wii. But I will say, it keeps me from wanting the "newest and greatest" or more than we actually need for todays communication. I don't want to contribute too much to the problem.
And frankly, I have to agree that you made yourself sound like a total douche in your post.
These issues are important. You managed to take a serious topic and change it to "omgeeze! I like, totaly hate underpaid sweatshops, but did my peeps see my new shiny phone?!"

Tx2Step

on Feb 26, 2012 at 11:57 AM

I wouldn't touch an Apple either with a ten foot pole. I will not be a part of this kind of travesty!!

I will enjoy my Kindle Fire and those who made it!!

Nonmember comment from Melissa

on Feb 28, 2012 at 1:51 PM

I saw the segment and was disgusted by how much corporations make off of these gadgets. Do I NEED one of these items? No. Do I want American jobs being sent overseas? No, that's why I research before buying something with my hard earned money. There's a list online for "companies that send American jobs overseas" HP is one of them, allstate and any other company where a guy with an Indian accent tells u his name is Joey.