1&2) I never talked about sells or numbers of any kind. Just that their campaign has been effective at propelling them to the forefront.
That's fine, I never said you did. But I am pointing out that while their ads/marketing have been successful to a point, they still haven't been able to top Apple - which would seem to be their goal.
3&4) Fair enough. I think most of their anti-Apple fan ads are clever. If you can make a large and established user-base question their brand loyalty, you've done something effective. I don't know the exact numbers of people who switched, but again, I'm not talking about numbers. As I said above, Samsung's campaign must've done things right if it was enough to even draw Phil Schiller's attention. See links above, but I'm sure you know the stories already.
I don't think they're clever at all and I don't think they do anything to get someone to question their brand loyalty. I doubt the numbers for those who switched from Apple to Samsung are that high. Most of Samsung's numbers have likely come from new smartphone owners - just like Android as a whole.
Regardless of what people feel (even Phil Schiller) a marketing campaign is only as good as the sales it generates. So numbers really do matter.
By the way, are you as bothered and offended by Microsoft's ad campaigns, which essentially mimic what Samsung's been doing?
Yes - and Amazon's for that matter. The whole Kindle Fire vs iPad ad is completely moronic. I have a Fire, its nothing compared to my iPad. They try to compare them as if they are supposed to be on the same level.
How about accepting what you're device is and touting its benefits. In contrast, the Fire Phone ads I've seen do this well, despite the fact that the features are pretty gimmicky.
I think Samsung's overall campaign has been clever and, more importantly, effective for their Galaxy line up and for their overall brand image. There's a reason we're talking about Apple vs Samsung and not Apple vs some other brand. Whether they sell as well or enough or whatever versus Apple or HTC/Motorola, I don't know nor really care.
Very true. For as much money as they've spent though, you'd think they could've come up and marketed something that could outsell an iPhone. And it seems (sales-wise) they are in somewhat of a decline. Perhaps a change in direction might help?
Yet you're criticizing them. I have a hard time understanding your position on these forums. You seem to think I'm somehow misrepresenting you, but these are your own words. Have you read what you wrote earlier in this thread?
So I'm not allowed to criticize them and point out their new direction is good for them at the same time? It's possible to criticize something you agree with you know.....
You criticize Samsung for being only able to copy Apple, yet are perfectly understandable when Apple plans to provide larger devices because they're merely adopting to the tech trends (how in the world did Samsung succeed with the Note series? Or the stylus -- something Apple said they'd never ever use?). You criticize Samsung for not doing what Apple does best -- offer a well rounded experience, good build quality, manageable size, etc.
Some half truths here. I criticize Samsung for these main points:
(1) Idiotic attack marketing
(2) Blatantly copying Apple (not in EVERYTHING, but in some things)
(3) Their "throw it at the wall and see what sticks" approach
I've repeatedly stated I believe the Note series to be Samsung's TRUE innovation. And I give them a ton of credit there. The 5.5" iPhone, HTC One Max, LG G3L etc are all borne out of the this phablet industry that was started by the Note.
And at this point, there's really no competition as the Note is far and away the best phablet out there.
Now as far as Samsung offering a "well rounded experience", that wouldn't the phrase I'd use for my experience with the GS4. TouchWiz was a mess of inconsistently designed menus and worthless "features" that ultimately caused what should've been a powerful phone to lag unnecessarily.
The three things above are what I criticize them for. Of course, there are exceptions to those three things and they are not BLANKET statements for EVERYTHING Samsung does (even in mobile).
They're starting to now, finally, and yet still you're upset because they're so blatantly copying Apple -- something you want them to be more like. Something you've expressed in the past they would benefit from if they were more focused. Here they are focusing on what fans want.
Seems to me you're hating just to hate. They're damned if they do, damned if they don't.
Let me spell it out for you:
(1) I criticize Samsung for the three things I mentioned.
(2) They announce they will release a "flagship" device which is a step back (from the Samsung perspective) in almost every way save for the metal band (that very closely resembles the iPhone 5/5S metal band) and the top-of-the-line SoC.
(3) I state that the Alpha is a pretty blatant attempt to steal Apple's thunder by releasing a device that mirrors rumored iPhone 6 specs in as many ways as possible.
(4) I also say that this seems like a desperate attempt to make up for what have been disappointing GS5 sales as it hasn't been able to outsell the iPhone 5S worldwide in any month since its release (despite the 5S being quite a few months older).
None of these statements preclude me from also stating that I believe this is a GOOD move for Samsung. I think in the face of their flagship failing, they had a hard look at what makes Apple successful and have moved that way. Why not considering Apple continues to create wild success after wild success. I'm simply calling it what it is. I don't hate Samsung for doing it. But I wonder (and would love to see) what OEMs like HTC and Moto and LG would do with the spotlight on them?
Would they take the Apple route or would they create something new? I don't know....I'm not claiming to know.
But it just seems odd for a company (Samsung) to take an approach that very closely resembles the competitor (Apple) they so ruthlessly attack in their marketing campaigns. That's all.
