Handset makers caught using stock images to promote smartphone cameras

Image: Shutterstock

A picture is worth a thousand words. The proverb has come to haunt a Chinese smartphone maker. Huawei was left red-faced when an actor from one of its TV commercials showcasing new Nova 3 smartphone posted behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram, which revealed that a DSLR camera, rather than the phone, was used to take a selfie.

Huawei is not alone. Others too have been caught passing off DSLR images as phone camera samples. Samsung reportedly picked up some old photos from stock photo provider Getty and passed them off as camera samples in Brazil. Nokia too goofed up in 2012. While Huawei couldn’t be reached for comment, Samsung didn’t reply to an email sent by Forbes India.  

“The expensive price tag of DSLRs is being exploited by phonemakers,” says Ashita Aggarwal, marketing professor, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research. The claim of DSLR-like quality at less than half the price is a strong bait that hooks consumers.