hello. This is Technologytodaynow. Two Galaxy products released last month, the Galaxy Buzz 3 Series and Galaxy Watch Ultra, have been criticized for copying Apple products.
In response, Samsung Chairman Jay Y. Lee was reportedly furious and took action against the MX division.
Galaxy Buzz 3 Series and Galaxy Watch Ultra design controversy
Copying the AirPods Pro and Apple Watch Ultra design
The Galaxy Buds 3 series adopted the AirPods Pro’s sprouts-like design, unlike its predecessor, sparking a design copy controversy. The Galaxy Buds 3 series adopted a design similar to the AirPods Pro, unlike its predecessors, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra utilized the Apple Watch Ultra’s signature orange color for its body and strap. Samsung has also taken the Apple Watch Ultra’s Ocean Band design, which is designed to be easily adjusted underwater, and applied it to the Galaxy Watch Ultra’s default strap, making it hard to avoid criticism of copying Apple’s product. Among users, the move was criticized as a sign of Samsung’s loss of originality.
View from the Vice President of MX Business Unit
In response, the vice president of the MX division said, “We never considered copying AirPods, and we might be criticized for being the same as AirPods, but we don’t care, we just want to make the best product.” This translates to a stance that it’s important to make the best product, even if it means taking criticism.
Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s disavowal and personnel actions
According to domestic reports, it was reported that Chairman Lee Jae-yong issued a disapproval order as criticism of Galaxy products that copied Apple products continued. According to reports, Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who usually does not get angry, ordered the MX division employees to completely re-examine the management, and some employees, including the MX division group leader, were said to have taken personnel action.
We have heard that products released in the second half of the year are similar to Apple, and Chairman Lee Jae-yong’s direct action was taken because of the controversy over the quality of the Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Watch 7. This is because there have long been criticisms that Samsung is copying Apple, but this controversy has even become more explicit and serious quality issues.
Possibility of restoring Samsung’s identity
“The reason I buy a Galaxy and not an iPhone is not because I don’t have the money. If it’s the same, I’ll just buy an Apple,” a post on Samsung’s Membership site went viral in many communities.
It will be interesting to see if this move will revitalize Samsung’s unique identity.