New TV ad from Samsung makes fun of Apple devotees

By Trevor Mogg November 22, 2011

The opening shot of the ad displays some text at the bottom of the screen: “New York, NY. 9 hours to go.”

Outside an Apple-looking store stands a line of people. They’re not waiting for a bus, so it must be the launch of Apple’s latest product they’re there for. And yes, in one of the windows of the store you can see a sign that says “It’s coming.”

If you think this is the beginning of a TV ad from Apple, think again. It’s actually a new Samsung ad for its Galaxy S II Android smartphone. The 60-second commercial (check it out below) evidently takes great pleasure in poking fun at diehard Apple fans – the kind of people that wait for days outside Apple stores prior to a product launch.

Cutting between lines of similar fashionable-looking types in various cities across the US, the first part of the ad comprises snippets of conversation between those waiting. “Guys, I’m so amped I could stay for three weeks,” one says, while another complains to a friend: “If it looks the same, how will people know I upgraded?”

Suddenly, the people in line are distracted by a person nearby using a smartphone that isn’t an iPhone. There’s something about the device that catches their eye. They call the person over. They notice the screen, which is “pretty massive.” “And it’s got 4G speed.”

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The people in line seem impressed, until someone mentions it’s a Samsung device. “I could never get a Samsung, I’m creative,” says one guy waiting in line. “Dude, you’re a barista,” his friend reminds him.

It’s an ad that non-Apple fans will no doubt take great delight in watching, while Apple devotees, sensitive ones at least, may find it hard to sit through. Whether it’ll actually persuade anyone to go for a Galaxy S II over an iPhone 4S is another matter.

Last month the S II beat the iPhone 4 to win the smartphone of the year award at the annual T3 awards show held in the UK.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributing Editor

Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…

Mobile

Here’s how Apple could change your iPhone forever

An iPhone 15 Pro Max laying on its back, showing its home screen.

Over the past few months, Apple has released a steady stream of research papers detailing its work with generative AI. So far, Apple has been tight-lipped about what exactly is cooking in its research labs, while rumors circulate that Apple is in talks with Google to license its Gemini AI for iPhones.

But there have been a couple of teasers of what we can expect. In February, an Apple research paper detailed an open-source model called MLLM-Guided Image Editing (MGIE) that is capable of media editing using natural language instructions from users. Now, another research paper on Ferret UI has sent the AI community into a frenzy.

Mobile

Best iPhone 15 deals: How to get Apple’s latest iPhone for free

The display on a green iPhone 15.

The iPhone 15 is Apple’s current flagship phone, and it’s also one of its most popular phones. It’s come storming out of the gate since its release and has skyrocketed to make our ranks of the best phones. Its popularity can make it difficult to find iPhone 15 deals, but there are some out there. We’ve rounded up the best iPhone 15 deals going on right now, and while most of them entail trading in a device for savings, trade-in value is very high and could land you a free iPhone 15 if you’re trading in the right device. We’ve got all of those details below, so read onward and start saving on a new Apple iPhone 15.
Today's best iPhone 15 deals

: Get up to $830 in savings when you trade in a similar device. Also included is 3 free months of Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, and 4 free months of Apple Arcade.
: Save up to $830 with device trade-in and inclusion of Verizon Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Ultimate plans.
: Save up to $830 via 24 monthly bill credits when you add a line on a qualifying plan and trade in an eligible device.
: Save up to $700 when you trade in an eligible device and commit to an AT&T Unlimited plan of more than $76 per month.

Mobile

This one thing could make iOS 18 the best iPhone update in years

The Home Screen on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple’s WWDC 2024 is just a couple of months away. As with every WWDC, we’ll see what Apple has in store for the next generation of software across its hardware portfolio, including the iPhone with iOS 18.

Rumors have been swirling about iOS 18 and how it will be “one of the biggest updates yet.” We know some features like RCS support in Messages are definitely coming, with other whispers of big home screen customization changes and more.