8 Sneaky Smartphone Marketing Tricks You Need to Watch Out For

Smartphone manufacturers often employ marketing tricks that can mislead consumers. From exaggerating foldable phone thickness to fudging optical zoom capabilities, here's a deep dive into the tactics you shouldn't fall for.

1. Foldable Phone Thickness and Weight Measurements

Manufacturers like HONOR and OPPO measure their foldables' thickness without considering the inner screen's protective film, misleading consumers about the actual size. This tactic makes their devices appear thinner than they really are.

2. Fudging Optical Zoom

Companies like HUAWEI claim their phones offer "optical zoom" when, in reality, they're using digital crops. This misleads consumers into believing they're getting superior camera capabilities.

3. Snappy AI Features That Aren't Really Snappy

Brands showcase AI features like Circle to Search in shortened, simulated demos. The real-world performance often doesn't match the polished marketing materials.

4. Comparing Protective Glass to Tempered Glass

Some brands boast about their glass being tougher than tempered glass, which is already outdated. A more honest comparison would be against industry standards like Gorilla Glass.

5. Bragging About Peak Brightness

Peak brightness figures are often highlighted, but they only apply to small screen areas under specific conditions. Full-screen brightness is a more relevant metric for everyday use.

6. Shady Charging Measurements

Some phones show 100% charge before they're fully charged, making charging times seem faster than they are. This can mislead consumers about the actual time needed to power up their devices.

7. Selling Features Long Before They're Ready

Apple and Google have promoted features like an upgraded Siri and Zoom Enhance long before they were available. This creates false expectations about immediate functionality.

8. Water-Resistant, But Warranty Says Otherwise

Phones are marketed as water-resistant, but warranties often exclude water damage. This leaves consumers unprotected despite the advertised capabilities.