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UPDATE: Apple has now removed Samsung's Galaxy S21 image from its Beats Studio Buds page on Amazon. The original story continues below.
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Just a few hours after we published our article about Apple’s new “AirPods for Android” which discusses the reasons behind Apple’s decision to start making earbuds that are compatible with devices other than the iPhone, we’ve found something more intriguing on the web! Perhaps even scandalous?
As it turns out, Apple, or rather Apple’s page on Amazon US, is using Samsung’s Galaxy S21 phone to advertise the new Beats Studio Buds for Android (and iOS)! That’s right… Your eyes aren’t deceiving you.
As seen on Amazon.com...
Now, while doing the research on the Beats Studio Buds story, we weren’t too invested in the words/imagery used by Apple because it was, for the most part, very… “classic Apple”. In case you didn’t know - the Cupertino-based company doesn’t really like to talk about the competition, to begin with. If that happens at all, it’s usually to throw some shade on Android.
For example, during the last WWDC event that took place a few weeks ago, Apple made a huge announcement - FaceTime was coming to Android! However, to break the monumental news, Craig Federighi pulled up a side-by-side image featuring the iPhone 12 next to not a Galaxy S21 or Pixel 5, but what was either the LG Stylo 6 or an uglier version of it.
Although, to be fair, if they had put the Pixel 3 XL next to the iPhone 12, it would have been arguably more embarrassing for team Android.
If we look at past examples of times when Android was portrayed within an Apple marketing material, we’ll find out that none of this is a coincidence. For instance, as highlighted by a 9to5Google story from last month, the Beats app on the Play Store features the Nexus 6P from 2015, while the “Move to iOS” transfer app on Android is stuck with the even more outdated HTC One M8 next to the iPhone X.
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Neither of the two apps has been abandoned by Apple. They still receive regular updates. As much as we love the Nexus 6P and HTC One iconic designs, they simply won’t look exactly… fresh when next to newer iPhones.
Apple doesn't usually like to show off the greatest, or at least the latest from Android.
So, with all of this in mind, why has someone at Apple made the conscious decision to use the latest and greatest from not just Android, but Samsung - Apple’s biggest rival? For starters, there’s a slight chance this has been an error, and someone might get very… fired. But frankly, we doubt that.
The image looks rather intentional. Yes, the Galaxy S21 is there (that’s still shocking), but it’s like it’s there to say: “Look, even your premium Android phone will work so great with Apple hardware! Imagine if you had an iPhone…”
It seems like Apple’s only leaving the door to its world open, so those who use Android can come in, get a taste of the fruity world, and forget to leave. The Beats Studio Buds aren’t just compatible with Android.
Beats Studio Buds
Beats Studio Buds are now available on Amazon and work with Apple & Android! They give you ANC, IPX4 sweat and water-resistance, Transparency Mode, and much more.
They bring USB-C on an Apple pair of earbuds/earphones for the first time ever. Sure, they omit a lot of features compared to the AirPods and AirPods Pro, such as Siri on demand, touch (tap & hold) controls, wireless charging, etc., but they give you ANC, IPX4 sweat and water-resistance, Transparency Mode, and more.
We are looking forward to seeing if Apple has more Android compatible devices to share with us, or perhaps even an iPhone with USB-C? Again, if you’re curious, we go into further detail about how and why Apple decided to start making Android-compatible earbuds in our latest article about the Beats Studio Buds.
Martin, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, brings a unique blend of humor and insight to his work. His fascination with smartphones began with a Galaxy Young and evolved through a series of trades and upgrades, making him a self-proclaimed smartphone nerd. Martin's content often combines current analysis of market trends with historical references and future predictions. Whether it's a deep dive into technical issues or a first-person commentary on industry events, Martin's articles are designed to inform and engage. His critical perspective is driven by genuine curiosity and a desire to keep readers informed, not by any corporate sponsorship.
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