Samsung's Chief Strategy Officer becomes an Apple fanboy at home

posted by Alan F.

Dec 13, 2012, 7:12 AM

Samsung's Chief Strategy Officer becomes an Apple fanboy at home

Are there two fiercer rivals in the world right now than Apple and Samsung? In the courtroom or in retail stores, both sides are trying hard to knock out the other. If the two aren't battling over patents, they are fighting over sales. The Apple iPhone 5 battles the Samsung Galaxy S III for supremacy of the smartphone world and the Samsung produced Google Nexus 10 has just become Android's best response to the fourth-generation of the Apple iPad.

"OK, so think about Apple compared to Samsung. I use a Mac, actually, at home. I’ve always used Mac, an iPhone, and an iPad. I also have the Galaxy. So I’m a great example."

"If you look at the strengths of Apple, in a way it’s not the product per se. It’s that consumers like their ecosystem such as iCloud. I like that my family 6,000 miles away in Korea is able to see my schedule and see all of my contacts and photos. It is sticky, but it is a proprietary architecture."-Young Sohn, Samsung Chief Strategy Officer

Even when Samsung acts as a supplier to Apple, providing the latter with some very important parts for the Apple iPhone and Apple iPad, there is so much tension between the two that Apple is seeking another source for chips. In other words, there is some real acrimony built up over years of fighting. That what makes the story of Samsung's Chief Strategy Officer Young Sohn, so hard to believe. In his own words, Sohn says that "I’m responsible for driving strategy and innovation globally. My job is to work with our team in the U.S. and Korea, including the CTO and M&A office, to identify new technologies and markets around the world."

In an interview with MIT Technology Review, Sohn makes a startling admission. "I use a Mac, actually, at home. I’ve always used Mac, an iPhone, and an iPad. I also have the Galaxy." Even the reporter conducting the interview seems stunned for a second and asks the Samsung executive if he is still using Apple products. Sohn responds by saying, "At work I’m using Samsung devices; Apple at home, mainly because all of my systems and files are done that way. That’s sticky, you know?"

Does the Chief Strategy Officer at Coke drink Pepsi? Does the CSO at Google search using Bing? Does Mark Cuban go to a Dallas Mavericks game and root for the other team? And further on in the interview, the Samsung executive admits to liking Apple's ecosystem in the form of iCloud. He even seems to say that the ecosystem is more important than the phone itself. Pointing out the Samsung GALAXY Nexus owned by the interviewer, Sohn says, "Look at your phone [Samsung GALAXY Nexus]. It’s a better phone, in my view. It’s a better display. It’s faster. But eventually the connected ecosystem is really critical."

A Samsung executive praising Apple products. Is this the first sign that the Mayans were right?

source: MITTechnologyReview via Gizmodo

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82 Comments

82. shayan

Posts: 159; Member since: Sep 09, 2010

oh I enjoyed the last line a lot!!

posted on Dec 15, 2012, 1:37 PM 0

81. ceejei14

Posts: 10; Member since: Feb 29, 2012

This is an abomination.

posted on Dec 15, 2012, 3:14 AM 0

79. JunkCreek

Posts: 407; Member since: Jul 13, 2012

Seeing the enemies so you can fight them at their strength not due to their weakness. Great strategy, Apple should also do someone on their company using Android to do the comparison with their product. See the strength of your enemies not just built a wall tall on wall street or on consumers/users or something. Face the truth, get a life and don't give a lie!

posted on Dec 14, 2012, 1:21 AM 0

78. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

At least he's honest on what he likes. if youre rich u can buy anything u like. so he doesn't act like some people on here on this site.

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 8:05 PM 0

77. soshi

Posts: 154; Member since: Mar 08, 2012

he is right, no need to argue as he see product as a whole. android only best in phone, tablet is growing since n7 while nexus 10 need time to lead the 10 inch market and also lack application that compatible. iMac is ahead in desktop while chromebook just start to get attention. It need time but I hope google can accelerate faster. I support them for free service and cheaper option.

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 8:03 PM 0

76. downphoenix

Posts: 3165; Member since: Jun 19, 2010

to be fair to this guy, most of what's actually inside the phone is samsung made, the only thing apple made is the logo :)

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 1:51 PM 1

74. dc0321

Posts: 24; Member since: Nov 21, 2012

people have the rights to use watever they are comfortable wit..but..i still got to call this guy an axxhole

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 1:25 PM 0

73. miladkhahil

Posts: 26; Member since: Dec 08, 2008

a little shocked (positively) learning that he also happens to be an Apple user, and by choice, too. It’s nice to hear a voice of reason for a change. Regardless of the camp you belong to, both frenemies produce some popular and compelling gadgets and there’s no reason to get worked up over how each of us spend our hard-earned money, no?

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 1:13 PM 0

68. JunitoNH

Posts: 1946; Member since: Feb 15, 2012

Let me guess, you thought a rich, educated and professional man was going to be logging around an ugly piece of plastic like the S3. You have to remember he has to go to social and professional events. Furthermore, I'm willing to bet the companies CEO children all have iPhones, in private quarters. They have concrete numbers, how many devices are returned or defective; know where true quality, and workmanship lies. Just because you own Ford doesn't mean you can't drive Lamborghini. Sure they want you to buy their devices and get richer, and why not? If they sell you a piece of plastic for $600 and you buy it, is your problem. Don't expect everyone else buy into it. Now, grow up and join the real world.

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 11:53 AM 1

67. lauremar

Posts: 181; Member since: Feb 29, 2012

Dear Mr. Sohn - why not quit Samsung and work for Apple? Sincerely, Samsung/Google user

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 11:47 AM 2

69. chaoticrazor

Posts: 2347; Member since: Aug 28, 2012

why should he do that? he seems good at his job, whatever he wants to use at home is his choice

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 11:54 AM 0

66. Kjayhawk

Posts: 294; Member since: Oct 07, 2010

I think using apple products really doesn't make you a fanboy. This article tells of an actual fanboy switching to android... http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57558841-1/former-top-apple-fanboy-now-rocks-all-android-devices/

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 11:23 AM 0

57. xtremesv

Posts: 299; Member since: Oct 21, 2011

This declaration can be used by Apple to sustain the claim Samsung copies everything Apple "creates". He speaks of a stronger ecosystem, that was true one year ago. Right now, Google Services offer a powerful all-around ecosystem as well and in some cases even more reliable than Apple's offerings (someone said Maps?). Maybe this guy has a point but if it were up to me, I would still reprimand him to keep his personal preferences away from the media.

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 10:05 AM 1

43. SamsungFan

Posts: 201; Member since: Apr 16, 2012

Apple s**ks

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 9:26 AM 3

37. BadAssAbe

Posts: 509; Member since: Apr 22, 2011

Technically if apple still got their parts form Samsung then he is still using Samsung stuff. Also only reason apple is bad is because they are way overpriced for such little toys.

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 8:41 AM 0

32. rickywinataa

Posts: 262; Member since: Apr 05, 2012

there's no way that in a company, their employees are forbidden to use competitiors' smartphones. if the companies are smart they would encourage their employees to use competitors' phone because that way they learn what they need to improve, it's a common sense

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 8:25 AM 2

29. rudlie

Posts: 205; Member since: Mar 13, 2012

Samsung itself is the BEST Apple Fanboy

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 8:17 AM 4

33. rickywinataa

Posts: 262; Member since: Apr 05, 2012

samsung & apple have a spark towards each other. why else samsung compares their products to apple and apple tries to sue samsung all the time

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 8:27 AM 0

51. rudlie

Posts: 205; Member since: Mar 13, 2012

samsung compares and copy designs of apple products. the court evidences proved it so. why samsung didn't copy other company? because samsung is truly apple fanboy.

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 9:47 AM 1

62. gwuhua1984

Posts: 1237; Member since: Mar 06, 2012

LOL, copying because they are Apple fanboy... That's something new...

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 10:22 AM 0

28. thelegend6657 unregistered

I don't see what's wrong with that , that's his personal devices . I don't give sghot about Samsung apple war , whatever device you like just use it .

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 8:12 AM 1

26. preet27in

Posts: 173; Member since: Jul 07, 2012

combine both.... apple and samsung..... collabration will b the greatest i guess. nyways chill just a joke. cheers !!!!

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 8:04 AM 0

24. redmd

Posts: 1971; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

Google CEO uses BB. as he said it's not the device, it's the ecosystem that's better.

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 8:00 AM 6

27. wendygarett unregistered

You mean CEO Larry page?? I never know that...

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 8:04 AM 1

23. Mr.Mr.Upgrade

Posts: 474; Member since: Aug 30, 2011

at the end of the day its what works best for you the user....apple or android.... i see no one commeted on how he said the samsung galaxy nexus is the best when it comes to eco system for android.......software is the number prioty in smart phones...... and when it cones to android...the nexus is the best....you people who own s3 or note 2 will be updating your phones again because your phone software ....nexus is the best android....when it comes to other android phones they are fragments.... waste of money......

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 7:58 AM 2

22. dragonscourgex

Posts: 307; Member since: Jan 16, 2012

He should not be fire. He has a right to use what he want in his own home. Also, keep your friends close, keep your enemy closer.

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 7:58 AM 3

21. willywill_evo

Posts: 162; Member since: Jan 05, 2011

What a dumb as, he know the war between Apple and Samsung. You already know he wants to get fire so Apply can hire him, that's what the wants

posted on Dec 13, 2012, 7:58 AM 0

20. bayhuy

Posts: 320; Member since: Jun 23, 2011

So, Samsung's top managers love Apple and because their boss refused to buy them iPhones and iPads, they decided to clone Apple's products and make their own...