• Samsung Continues Bashing Apple With Its "Old-School" Ad Campaign

    by
    Akshay Masand
    Published on 2011-12-03 01:36 AM
    55 Comments Comments


    Samsung previously aired its TV ad where the Korean company made fun of iPhone users and flaunted their Galaxy S II. Many people seemed to see the humor of the situation while others dismissed it as bad marketing. The advertisement wasn’t the last of Samsung’s antics though as the company continues what seems to be an anti-Apple campaign with images on its official U.S. Facebook page.



    The images suggest that the iPhone 4S is “old school” compared to the Samsung’s “Cutting Edge” technology. Paired with the iPhone are older methods of communication such as the mobile phone of the 1980s and even some cups paired with a string. Samsung event went as far as throwing down another comparison pointing out how Apple’s handset does not support newer technology such as LTE, is thicker, doesn’t support a return policy for apps, has a smaller screen size, and has a battery which is not removable/replaceable.



    Furthermore, the company has been actively posting things indirectly bashing the iPhone (as well as other phones on the market). You can find some of these wall posts below:

    • True or False: It’s cooler to be cutting edge than old school.
    • Take your pick: Carrying a magnifying glass or click to zoom?
    • Sleek + Slim = The Next Big Thing!
    • ‎“The line is moving… Just kidding!”
    • Sick of squinting? It’s okay, Samsung has a phone for that.
    • Sketchy battery? It’s okay, Samsung has a phone for that.
    • When it comes to storing data – size does matter.
    • If it looks the same and feels the same – it’s probably the same.
    • Why don’t you just get a 4G phone? Stop Waiting. The Samsung Galaxy S II is 4G with a huge display.
    • If you’re done with the thrill of looking for outlets in public places, the Samsung Galaxy S II has over 8 hours of talk time and a removable/replaceable battery. So when you’re on the go, you can stay on the go.
    The campaign appears to be creating a substantial amount of buzz and the company seems to be committed to continue. The possibility of the campaign being effective is there but as mentioned previously, bashing competition is a pretty sleazy way of converting users. It's a pretty risky move, especially when you are bashing a company/phone that has a large number of satisfied users and high predicted sales/stock value.



    As with the previous Samsung commercial, I found this to be funny as well and not as offensive as some loyal iOS users may find it to be but I’d like to hear what some of you think. Share your thoughts below!

    Source: 9to5Mac
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Samsung Continues Bashing Apple With Its "Old-School" Ad Campaign started by Akshay Masand View original post
    1. Categories:
    2. iPhone,
    3. Apple
    Comments 55 Comments
    1. Axlx1's Avatar
      Axlx1 - 2011-12-03, 02:26 AM
      Just looked at it on Gizmodos site (only the video) and it is actually a big step forward for Android vs IPhone just from watching its movement and response time/actions. But anyone who came to IPhone from Android knows the truth. While it is a really big step forward and might even be able to take on the IPhone, No one from an IPhone will swap soon. Just because the app market on Android is still stupid tinny with only a hand full of good apps with 90% of the rest worthless. But that was all way off topic haha and yeah I found the ads funny as well. If someone is offended by this they are way too hardcore Apple.
    1. sTrAnGe mOdS's Avatar
      sTrAnGe mOdS - 2011-12-03, 02:27 AM
      It's funny because the iPhone beats that piece of crap in almost every area. Samsung needs to just stop bashing other people's products and make something of their own that's actually worth buying.
    1. alexevo's Avatar
      alexevo - 2011-12-03, 02:44 AM
      I like how Samsung conveniently listed the specs: Apps, Data Speed, Physical Design, Screen Size, and Battery Life where it appears to beat the iPhone in all categories yet they conveniently replaced Battery Life on the iPhone side with "See More Specs" that should have read Battery Life 8 hours (equal to the GS2).

      I like how Screen Size brags about being 4.3" yet fails to say (note: requires 2-handed operation because very few people have hands big enough to reach the upper and lower corners comfortably with 1 hand) and how Physical Design lacks the (note: the thinnest part is 8.89mm but the parts where something protrudes are actually 9.91mm which thicker than the iPhone's universal thickness of 9.3mm)

      Also they misplaced the asterisk for the GS2 since those 2 items that have the * have nothing to do with the thickness of the phone or the size of the screen when it should have been next to Data Speed.

      This looks like a pretty half-assed advertising attempt.
    1. xLastWishx's Avatar
      xLastWishx - 2011-12-03, 02:47 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Axlx1 View Post
      Just looked at it on Gizmodos site (only the video) and it is actually a big step forward for Android vs IPhone just from watching its movement and response time/actions. But anyone who came to IPhone from Android knows the truth. While it is a really big step forward and might even be able to take on the IPhone, No one from an IPhone will swap soon. Just because the app market on Android is still stupid tinny with only a hand full of good apps with 90% of the rest worthless. But that was all way off topic haha and yeah I found the ads funny as well. If someone is offended by this they are way too hardcore Apple.
      1. Android Market is NOT tiny and IS NOT stupid. (Though it is filled with junk, as well as the App Store)

      2. The ads didn't make me chuckle. It wasn't funny AT ALL. Not only did they make fun of all their other handsets (Since you know, not all of them has LTE, a 4.3 inch screen, etc etc) but they also made fun of other handsets that are wonderful to use. I loved using the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro and the Xperia Play. What? So now the Xperia Play isn't "cutting edge" because of Samsung's retarded reasons? I am totally a hardcore iOS fans but it isn't fair for the other competitors because I love using the Xperia Play. Not only that but Nokia Lumia 800 is pure sexy, yet - it isn't "cutting edge" because it has no LTE support? Doesn't make sense at all.

      I ADMIT the SGII is AMAZING but it isn't "cutting edge". The iPhone 4S isn't either. The iPhone 4 WAS (IMHO) but now it's becoming outdated. Still, I look out for a good Android Phone, WP7 phone and looking forward to buying the iPhone 5. No matter WHAT it brings. This advertisement is the result of Samsung being mad because it isn't on the list of the world's top selling phones (OVERALL) Even the iPhone 4 has 75 Million whilst the SGII has only 44.
    1. MetallicaFan1991's Avatar
      MetallicaFan1991 - 2011-12-03, 02:49 AM
      Yeh how about mentioning that iPhone:- Isn't cheap plastic, has a better cameraHigher pixel density screen, tonnes of better and more useful apps, worlds biggest app market, worlds biggest music store, don't have to wait 6 months for an update, even then "if", AirPrint, iCloud, better "Phone" Better music player. Better GPU so better for gaming. iOS is more solid and advanced than Android......I could go on. Maybe Apple should say yes iPhone doesn't have widgets or live wallpapers but it does everything else a million times better than the Samsung POS.

      As I recall the Samsuck is thicker at the hump so iPhone is still thinner. How can iPhone be old tech. Don't make me laugh. If iPhone is old tech, where were all these iPhone knock offs before 2007.........exactly.
    1. TheOrioles33's Avatar
      TheOrioles33 - 2011-12-03, 03:44 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by MetallicaFan1991 View Post
      Yeh how about mentioning that iPhone:- Isn't cheap plastic, has a better cameraHigher pixel density screen, tonnes of better and more useful apps, worlds biggest app market, worlds biggest music store, don't have to wait 6 months for an update, even then "if", AirPrint, iCloud, better "Phone" Better music player. Better GPU so better for gaming. iOS is more solid and advanced than Android......I could go on. Maybe Apple should say yes iPhone doesn't have widgets or live wallpapers but it does everything else a million times better than the Samsung POS.

      As I recall the Samsuck is thicker at the hump so iPhone is still thinner. How can iPhone be old tech. Don't make me laugh. If iPhone is old tech, where were all these iPhone knock offs before 2007.........exactly.
      +100
    1. Selwin Snape's Avatar
      Selwin Snape - 2011-12-03, 03:49 AM
      +1000. Lol
    1. sziklassy's Avatar
      sziklassy - 2011-12-03, 03:54 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by strange mods View Post
      it's funny because the iphone beats that piece of crap in almost every area. Samsung needs to just stop bashing other people's products and make something of their own that's actually worth buying.
      lolwut?
    1. Madman604x's Avatar
      Madman604x - 2011-12-03, 03:56 AM
      i have both phones. gradually siding with my Samsung tho. after using the GS2 for a few months, i tried using the IP4, it seemed like a tiny toy. screen still looked beautiful but really, really small. i don't find the ads funny either. both devices have their +s but i find Android more open and i don't have to jump through hoops to do what i want with it. 32GB micro SD and 16 GB on board is pretty sweet tho.
    1. santaf's Avatar
      santaf - 2011-12-03, 04:04 AM
      Faster???? What? I remember all of the tests saying otherwise. Sad thing is people will believe their claims. By no means is the SII a bad phone, it is amazing, just the 4S is way better. I laugh every time I see the commercial with iPhone users waiting in line to get the new iPhone and the owners with the SII already have their new phone. They have it because no one cares to have that phone... because it's not as good as the iPhone 4S. The 4S may not have brought anything new to the look of the phone, but it did bring a lot to speed and battery life. It was a ligit upgrade.

      I also laugh at an iPhone commercial that says "Why would anyone want to limit the iPhone?"... Exatly APPLE why would you want to? I wish they would make it more open and allow at least simple themes that change the look of the OS but don't change the functionality with widgets and such (though I would prefer they also allow widgets).

      Quote Originally Posted by alexevo View Post
      I like how Samsung conveniently listed the specs: Apps, Data Speed, Physical Design, Screen Size, and Battery Life where it appears to beat the iPhone in all categories yet they conveniently replaced Battery Life on the iPhone side with "See More Specs" that should have read Battery Life 8 hours (equal to the GS2).

      I like how Screen Size brags about being 4.3" yet fails to say (note: requires 2-handed operation because very few people have hands big enough to reach the upper and lower corners comfortably with 1 hand) and how Physical Design lacks the (note: the thinnest part is 8.89mm but the parts where something protrudes are actually 9.91mm which thicker than the iPhone's universal thickness of 9.3mm)

      Also they misplaced the asterisk for the GS2 since those 2 items that have the * have nothing to do with the thickness of the phone or the size of the screen when it should have been next to Data Speed.

      This looks like a pretty half-assed advertising attempt.
      the * has everything to do with size and all of that. Each carrier has a different model for example AT&T's phone is smaller than the rest. But yes it should also be by Data Speed.
    1. epikarus's Avatar
      epikarus - 2011-12-03, 04:09 AM
      I personally use a Android but I think bashing on iPhone is actually a compliment. They obviously perceive the iPhone as the one to beat. I dont like these kinds of marketing strategies, its really petty and that's one of the reasons I never like the Macs vs PC ads as well. I think by marketing the device by talking about what its good at is the best way to go.-Brace yourselves, the anti-android comments are coming-
    1. dennder's Avatar
      dennder - 2011-12-03, 04:10 AM
      Does the ad also mentioned full version of CarrierIQ software being preinstalled on samsungs, instead of partially working, low-grade and stripped down version present in iPhone?
    1. *T*'s Avatar
      *T* - 2011-12-03, 04:10 AM
      This would make a lot more sense if they were advertising the razr. Cutting edge? Razr? Lightbulb!
    1. Akshay Masand's Avatar
      Akshay Masand - 2011-12-03, 04:25 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Axlx1 View Post
      Just looked at it on Gizmodos site (only the video) and it is actually a big step forward for Android vs IPhone just from watching its movement and response time/actions. But anyone who came to IPhone from Android knows the truth. While it is a really big step forward and might even be able to take on the IPhone, No one from an IPhone will swap soon. Just because the app market on Android is still stupid tinny with only a hand full of good apps with 90% of the rest worthless. But that was all way off topic haha and yeah I found the ads funny as well. If someone is offended by this they are way too hardcore Apple.
      Edited the video link in the first sentence of the article (doh! forgot to do that before)

      As far as the conversation goes - some of you guys have brought up excellent points. Benchmarks show the iPhone 4S is superior to many other phones (including the Galaxy S II) in many different aspects so some of the comparison images (and Facebook wall posts) are a bit silly but they might sway some consumers to purchase the Galaxy S II for the wrong reasons.

      That being said, the Galaxy S II isn't bad and I personally think that Samsung could market it better if they really wanted to.
    1. bigliquid530's Avatar
      bigliquid530 - 2011-12-03, 04:36 AM
      Why would anyone honestly take offense to the commercial...

      I actually do like the samsung galaxy s II, it's a good phone, I wouldn't mind either one to tell you the truth
    1. spider_romeo's Avatar
      spider_romeo - 2011-12-03, 04:45 AM
      Loser always want to do something funny to mock themselves.
    1. txprestige's Avatar
      txprestige - 2011-12-03, 04:49 AM
      Never showcase your competitors product in your advertising. Just look at it. You have the iPhone with a Zen-like autumn background, a single button, and an unobtrusive digital clock quietly reminding you of the date and time in a pleasant and easy to read sans-serif font.

      Then beside it, you have this redheaded step-child screaming, "Look at me! Look at me!" with an illegible typeface, an unreadable clock, and obtrusive company branding to add to the cluttered distraction. Its obnoxious and disorienting.

      Samsung must hate their customers. Why else would they sell a product knowing that every time it is used, the customer is reminded how their phone is a mere imitation of a competitor's better idea? It's just another knock-off. Samsung is capable of much better.

      The Galaxy SII: Kind of like an iPhone, only *bigger*!!!!1! Yippie.
    1. blondelefty's Avatar
      blondelefty - 2011-12-03, 04:57 AM
      Uh yes I have a question regarding the first picture. Why are the labels switched?
    1. Aehmlo's Avatar
      Aehmlo - 2011-12-03, 05:11 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by blondelefty View Post
      Uh yes I have a question regarding the first picture. Why are the labels switched?
      +1 I still use those cutting-edge tin cans.
    1. indyracer05's Avatar
      indyracer05 - 2011-12-03, 05:12 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by sTrAnGe mOdS View Post
      It's funny because the iPhone beats that piece of crap in almost every area. Samsung needs to just stop bashing other people's products and make something of their own that's actually worth buying.
      +1^
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