True to form, Samsung on Thursday released a commercial touting the new Galaxy Note 4 phablet by capitalizing on negative reports criticizing Apple's latest iPhone 6 models for being too "bendy."
While the ad, titled "Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Endures the Gluteus Maximus," fails to mention Apple's iPhone 6 by name, Samsung is clearly targeting so-called "Bendgate" issues that have been the topic of recent media reports.
In the spot, Samsung performs a three-point bend test, showing the Note 4 can sustain about 25 kilograms of force without permanently deforming. Apple presented an identical test -- with identical results -- during a rare press tour of a California product testing facility.
A follow-up report by Consumer Reports subjected the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to the same "three-point flexural" assessment, which showed the handsets can withstand 60 pounds of force (about 27 kgf) and 90 pounds of force (about 41 kgf), respectively. That test found Samsung's Galaxy Note 3 takes substantial force without bending until the screen shatters at 150 pounds of pressure (approximately 68 kgf).
Samsung goes on to show the Note 4 being put through a human weight test meant to simulate forces exerted on a phone if it were to be sat upon while being carried in a user's back pocket. The ad then runs runs through a list of build features that supposedly add to the handset's durability, including a metal frame, magnesium brackets and "mutually reinforcing structure between parts."
The spot ends with the tag line, "The Galaxy Note 4 is big, thin and light but strong."
According to reports, iPhone 6 Plus owners have experienced bending problems even when the handset is in their front pocket, though Apple said last week it had only received nine complaints regarding the issue.