Chapter 512: Butterfly Effect

Seventy‑two hours after the Phoenix S1 launch, the entire mobile phone industry felt like a deep‑water bomb had been dropped into it.

At 9 a. m. on March 21, 2009, Li Yaozong had just walked into the office when the Telephone on the desk rang.

"Mr. Li, there's movement on Lenovo's side," Fang Wenshan's voice came through the handset, with obvious excitement.

Li Yaozong held the Telephone, saying nothing.

"They just issued a notice saying they will set up a Smart Device Division and launch the first product next year."

Li Yaozong gave a hum.

"Anything else?"

"Huawei has also followed suit. President Ren is holding meetings himself, saying they will concentrate resources on smart devices," Fang Wenshan paused, "OPPO is even more direct; their people are already in Shenzhen looking for suppliers."

Li Yaozong walked to the window.

Outside, Shenzhen's spring sunshine was bright, and the traffic on Shen Nan Avenue was as dense as usual.

"What about abroad?"

"Nokia's stock fell four percent today," Fang Wenshan said, "analysts say it's because of our launch event."

Li Yaozong gave no reply.

"Samsung is nervous too. Their China Region President held an impromptu meeting this morning and apparently it went on all morning."

Li Yaozong was silent for a few seconds.

"Apple?"

"Apple hasn't moved yet," Fang Wenshan said, "but people online are already comparing, saying our specs are higher than the contemporary iPhone and the price is cheaper."

Li Yaozong turned around.

"Keep watching. Let me know any news right away."

"Understood."

After hanging up, Li Yaozong sat down, and the mobile phone rang.

It was Zhou Ye.

"Mr. Li, you have to see Phoenix Chat quickly," Zhou Ye's voice was tinged with excitement, "a review video has gone viral."

Li Yaozong opened Phoenix Chat; the first item on the homepage was that video.

The blogger, called "Keji Lao Zhang," was in his thirties, wore glasses, and spoke very quickly. The video thumbnail displayed several large characters:

"Phoenix S1 vs iPhone 3GS, which is stronger?"

The video has already amassed over eight million views.

Li Yaozong clicked in to watch.

At the start of the video, Lao Zhang sat at a workbench with two phones laid out before him.

On the left was the high‑spec Phoenix S1, its silver‑white metal body glowing on the screen.

On the right was the iPhone 3GS, its black plastic shell with the screen also lit.

"All right, folks, today we're going big," Lao Zhang said to the camera, "the Phoenix S1, our domestic smart device, claims to crush foreign brands in specs. Whether that's true, we'll find out with real tests."

He first picked up the Phoenix S1.

"Let's test boot speed."

Both phones had their power buttons pressed simultaneously.

The Phoenix S1 took twenty‑three seconds, the iPhone twenty‑seven seconds.

"The Phoenix is four seconds faster," Lao Zhang said.

He picked up the iPhone.

"Someone will surely say fast boot is useless. So let's test apps."

He launched the same game, both phones running it at the same time.

The Phoenix S1 loaded in eight seconds, the iPhone in eleven seconds.

Lao Zhang brought the camera close to the screen.

"Check the picture quality yourselves. The Phoenix's colors are more vivid; the iPhone's are a bit yellowish,"

He then opened Phoenix Chat, and both phones scrolled through Moments simultaneously.

The Phoenix S1's scrolling smoothness was clearly better than the iPhone's.

Halfway through the video, Lao Zhang began testing photography.

He took a photo with the Phoenix S1, then another with the iPhone.

Both photos were displayed on the screen side by side.

The left one, taken by the Phoenix, had richer colors and clearer details.

The right one, taken by the iPhone, looked a bit gray.

"Night scene?" Lao Zhang said to the camera, "let's go test it outside."

He took both phones to the balcony.

Outside was Beijing's nightscape, with distant building lights.

The Phoenix S1's photo had few noise points and sufficient brightness.

The iPhone's photo had dark areas turned into a blur.

Lao Zhang enlarged the photo.

"Look at the characters on that building; the Phoenix can read them clearly, the iPhone cannot,"

He smiled at the camera.

"That gap is quite big."

At the end of the video, Lao Zhang sat at the workbench, placing the two phones side by side.

"I tested it all afternoon; let me give you a summary."

He pointed at the Phoenix S1.

"Phoenix S1's advantages: fast speed, good screen, strong camera, cheap price. The high‑spec version is 4,500, over 1,000 cheaper than iPhone."

He pointed at the iPhone.

"iPhone's advantages: smooth system, many apps, strong brand. Cons: expensive, average specs, average camera."

He looked at the camera.

"So the question arises: with the same money, which would you buy?"

He paused.

"My suggestion: if you want cost‑performance, want a domestic product, want to support it, buy Phoenix. If you don't mind spending, if you're used to Apple's ecosystem, if you worry about apps being insufficient, you can wait a bit longer."

He smiled.

"But to be honest, Phoenix really surprised me this time. For a domestic phone to reach this level, it's not easy."

The comments below the video have already exceeded 8,000.

Li Yaozong scrolled down to read.

First comment, 50,000 likes:

"Just got a mid‑spec Phoenix S1, used it for a week, honestly pretty good. Much stronger than the Nokia I used before."

Second comment, 30,000 likes:

"Old Zhang's test was very objective. I've used both phones; Phoenix really doesn't lose to Apple."

Third comment, 20,000 likes:

"Domestic phones, keep it up! From now on I'll use Phoenix."

But there are dissenting voices as well.

"Domestic ones just don't work; they lag after a year."

"Go ahead, think domestic can surpass Apple? I'll never believe it."

"Pay 4,500 for a domestic phone? I'd rather buy Nokia."

Someone replied below:

"Have you used it? If you haven't, stop talking nonsense."

"The data is right here, yet you still speak lies?"

"Flattering the foreign so much, there's no one left."

Li Yaozong finished reading the comments and put down his phone.

Zhou Ye's phone rang again.

"Director Li, you saw it, right?"

"Saw it."

"That Old Zhang is a top creator we've partnered with for Phoenix," Zhou Ye said, "He's been doing reviews for two years, with over three million fans. This time he initiated the test on his own; we didn't give any notice."

Li Yaozong hummed in acknowledgement.

"That's good."

Zhou Ye paused.

"Also, there's another matter. Online there are now two factions arguing. One says domestic phones are great and supports them. The other says domestic phones are no good and still wants to buy foreign ones."

Li Yaozong said nothing.

Zhou Ye continued.

"The PR department asked whether we should steer the conversation?"

Li Yaozong thought for a moment.

"No need."

"No need?"

"Let the users argue themselves," Li Yaozong said, "The fiercer the fight, the higher the attention. As long as the product is good, we'll win in the end."

Zhou Ye was silent for two seconds.

"Understood."

At 2 p. m., Fang Wenshan called again.

"Director Li, the Nokia China team has contacted us."

Li Yaozong held the Telephone.

"What's the matter?"

"They want to set a time to talk with us," Fang Wenshan said, "They didn't specify what exactly, but presumably they want to probe our bottom line."

Li Yaozong thought again.

"Delay for now. When they get impatient, they'll naturally reveal their hand."

Fang Wenshan smiled.

"Got it."

He hung up, and just as Li Yaozong stood up, his phone rang again.

It was Chen Feng.

"Director Li, there's something from the chip side to report to you."

"Go ahead."

"Samsung contacted us this morning," Chen Feng said, "they want to purchase our Phoenix Chip No. 1 for use in their low‑end devices."

Li Yaozong was stunned for a moment.

"Samsung? Buying our chips?"

"Right," Chen Feng said, "their people say our chips have a higher cost‑performance ratio and are cheaper than what they make themselves."

Li Yaozong was silent for a few seconds.

"What do you think?"

Chen Feng thought for a moment.

"If we sell to them, we can make a profit. But later they might copy our technology."

Li Yaozong hummed in response.

"Don't rush to reply yet. Wait for them to come back."

"Understood."

At 4 p. m., Li Yaozong went to the Nanshan Research and Development Center.

Building 8, Video Technology Department.

Zhou Ye was leading a meeting with a group, and a new‑feature interface was displayed on the projection screen. Seeing Li Yaozong enter, he signaled for the meeting to continue.

Li Yaozong stood at the back, watching the screen.

The interface showed a new filter effect that could turn ordinary video into an anime style.

After Zhou Ye finished speaking, he walked over.

"Mr. Li, why are you here?"

"Just looking around," Li Yaozong said, "Has the pressure been high lately?"

Zhou Ye smiled.

"Yes. But we can handle it."

Li Yaozong nodded.

"How are the numbers on the video side?"

Zhou Ye took out his phone and tapped a few times.

"Phoenix Clip's downloads rose by another five million today. Total downloads have surpassed eighty million. Daily uploaded videos average five hundred twenty thousand. Playback count is 3.5 billion."

He handed the phone over.

Li Yaozong took it to look.

On the screen was a video, a travel vlog shot by a young person with the Phoenix S1. The picture quality was clear, the editing smooth, and the soundtrack pleasant. It had already received over eight thousand comments.

"This was edited with our Phoenix Clip," Zhou Ye said, "Users say it's very easy to use."

Li Yaozong returned the phone to him.

"Pretty good."

At 6 p. m., Li Yaozong returned to his office.

On the desk lay a freshly delivered report.

It was compiled by the Marketing Department, summarizing reactions to the Phoenix S1 after its launch.

He opened it and read.

Page one: domestic manufacturers.

Lenovo: announced the establishment of a Smart Device Business Unit.

Huawei: President Yu personally convened a meeting, focusing resources on smart devices.

OPPO: looking for suppliers in Shenzhen.

ZTE: also preparing, but not public.

Page two: foreign manufacturers.

Nokia: stock fell four percent, China region under negotiation.

Samsung: wants to purchase Phoenix chips, China region president held an overnight meeting.

Apple: no public response yet, but online comparisons have gone viral.

Page three: media.

"Phoenix S1 Specs Crush iPhone"

"Domestic Phone Counterattack? Phoenix Smart Device Sparks Industry Shock"

"Nokia in Panic? Phoenix S1 Launch Causes Stock Plunge"

Page four: user comments.

Positive: two million likes, supporting domestic products, the device is useful.

Negative: thirty thousand complaints, saying domestic products are inferior, some are pro‑foreign.

Li Yaozong finished reading and closed the report.

At 7 p. m., Li Yaozong prepared to leave the office.

The phone rang.

It was Fang Wenshan.

"Mr. Li, I have something to report to you."

"Go ahead."

"The Wall Street Journal has contacted us," Fang Wenshan said, "they want to do an exclusive interview about our Phoenix Smart Device."

Li Yaozong thought for a moment.

"From now on, turn down any similar media interviews; I will not accept any interviews."

"Okay."

Li Yaozong, adhering to his father's philosophy, does not seek fame; being popular brings many disputes.