Apple’s iPhone 17 series launched worldwide on September 19, prompting long queues outside Apple Stores from New York to Mumbai. Among the many images that circulated online, one photo caught attention: it appeared to show Buddhist monks in orange robes inside an Apple Store in front of an iPhone 17 display.
What Went Viral
The picture — shared widely on Reddit and other platforms — was accompanied by captions like “The monk who sold his iPhone 16 to buy iPhone 17,” a playful nod to Robin Sharma’s The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari. Social media users reacted with humor, surprise and criticism, with comments ranging from “He’s getting an iPhone that matches his robes” to “Doesn’t this defeat the purpose of renouncing desires?”
Is the Photo Real?
Questions about the image’s authenticity quickly emerged. Observers suggested it might be AI-generated, and Phra Wattanavajiramedhi, former deputy secretary-general of Thailand’s Centre for the Protection of Buddhism, said a detection tool indicated the image was likely AI-created (about 94.9% AI-generated, per reports).
A Real Incident from Taiwan
While the Thailand image appears to be fabricated, there was a genuine report from Taiwan showing monks in grey robes queuing at an Apple Store to buy the new phones. That photo, shared on social media, sparked debate on local platforms such as Dcard about whether monks should purchase the latest luxury gadgets.
Public Reactions
Responses were mixed. Some criticized monks for using temple or donor funds to buy non-essential items; others defended the purchases, noting that smartphones are practical tools for communication and work in today’s world. The conversation highlighted tensions between traditional expectations of monastic life and modern realities.
Bottom line: The widely shared photo claiming to show monks buying iPhone 17 in Thailand appears to be AI-generated. However, real images from Taiwan of monks buying phones also circulated, adding context to the online debate.
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