Google Pixel has been known for its cheeky and sometimes humorous advertising campaigns that take a playful dig at its competitors, particularly the iPhone. Let’s explore some instances when Google Pixel made fun of the iPhone in their ads, including their latest releases, the Google Pixel 8, which Google launched yesterday and the Google Pixel 7.
Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel’s playful jabs at the iPhone in their ads have become a hallmark of their marketing strategy.
In the latest episode of Google’s ongoing #BestPhonesForever campaign, the tech giant has once again turned to video ads to drum up excitement for its upcoming releases, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
In a recently released Pixel 8 teaser video on YouTube, Google playfully teases Apple for finally adopting the standard USB-C connector in their iPhone 15 lineup. The stop-motion video, titled “#BestPhonesForever: Spa Day,” envisions the iPhone 15 and Pixel 8 enjoying a spa day ahead of their respective launches.
In the video, the iPhone character, cucumber slices sliding down its camera lenses, reflects on its journey, recalling the days when “Slide to Unlock” was a significant innovation. However, it humorously acknowledges that Android phones, like the Pixel, now seem to outshine it with features like unblurring old photos, AI-powered call handling, and real-time message translation.
The iPhone character concludes with a hint about its transition to USB-C, saying, “That’s under wraps, but let’s just say you’ll be USB-C-ing soon!” Google’s video gently pokes fun at its rival, but for Apple, the move away from the Lightning port is a significant shift.
Take a look:
Google Pixel 7
While launching Google Pixel 7, Google did not hold back in poking fun at the iPhone at all.
Among the series of ads that it launched for its #BestPhonesForever campaign, one of the ads subtly implied that the iPhone has aged and perhaps not aged gracefully. This particular advertisement is filled with backhanded compliments directed at the iPhone. For instance, the iPhone featured in the ad humorously quips, “When I was your age, people were showing me off to their friends,” to which the Pixel responds with a playful retort, “They still do! You’re legendary.”
In a self-deprecating tone, the iPhone in the ad acknowledges its own quirks, while the Pixel takes on a slightly sympathetic tone. The advertisement concludes with the iPhone conceding that it is “jealous” of the Pixel’s AI capabilities.
The advertisements highlight several features, many of which are pointed out in a light-hearted manner, that the iPhone lacks. In one instance, Google takes a playful jab at the absence of reverse charging in the iPhone. Another ad serves as a reminder that the iPhone camera lacks an “astro mode” found in Pixel devices. Google even includes the Pixel Fold in one of the ads, showcasing its versatility. Furthermore, the absence of a type-C port is another feature that Google humorously addresses throughout this series of advertisements.
In this ongoing exchange of playful banter, Google adds its unique spin to the competitive landscape of smartphone marketing, embracing the tradition of good-natured rivalry between tech giants.
Here are the videos:
A History of Playful Competition
Google Pixel’s playful advertising campaigns have become somewhat of a tradition, offering a fresh and amusing perspective on the age-old Android vs. iOS rivalry. While these ads aim to highlight Google Pixel’s strengths, they do so with a lighthearted tone that rarely comes across as mean-spirited.
Over the years, we’ve seen ads that tease the iPhone’s camera capabilities, Siri’s limitations, and even the absence of headphone jacks on certain models. These ads generate attention and conversation in the tech community, making Google Pixel stand out in a crowded market.
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