I don’t know if you know that the Samsung Company is being sued for misleading customers. But I want to tell you that it is more than what it looks like.
Advertising is not just a pinch of salt; they are just showing what their competitor doesn’t have.
First, let me tell you that devices nowadays are mostly water-resistant. This means the device can handle fresh water with no issue, as measured by an IP rating. The minimum rating for any device nowadays is IP62 ~ IP68. The IP68 rating means it can protect your smartphone for 30 minutes under 1.5 meters (~5 m).
Users think that the device is fine if they use it in a swimming pool or at sea. We all know that swimming pools contain a massive amount of chlorine to kill bacteria. But here is the catch: chlorine starts corroding the rubber seal on your device easily. However, the seawater was getting worse. Not to mention, rubber seals are used to keep things out. So, the ACC (Australian Competition Authority) helps users buy the correct device and monitors these manufacturers. The report is a good example of a scenario where Samsung advertises their smartphones being used near swimming pools.
Meanwhile, the creative team that filmed the advertisement has something to do with manufacturing. These guys show that the device is a waterproof smartphone. When the ACC invested, they found 300 situations where Samsung advertised these scenarios. On the other hand, Samsung also doesn’t cover the device properly if it is damaged by water. It means they refuse responsibility. If they advertise their phone with water, they must take responsibility for it.
Samsung is being sued over water resistance. Samsung is being sued just before the launch of the Galaxy Note 10 or Note 10 Plus: Behind the Scenes, “The Real Reason.”
Now, let’s talk about the problem. The thing is that it is not only about Samsung; it is about the whole industry. In the previous 5 years, we saw a lot of extreme advertising. So you can downplay your competitors. Today, we have more smartphones than ever before. Even manufacturers are producing more smartphones than before.
Here, Apple has gone from 1 year to 3, and more OEMs are pushing the market forward. The company is misleading users, Definity Yes, even on social media. Currently, Samsung tells Reuters it is the head of marketing and plans to fight the case.