Microsoft finally has a compelling Windows Phone ad, makes fun of Samsung and Apple rivalry

Microsoft has often been criticized for not making effective commercials—something we think that has changed recently with the Surface campaign (and back stepped with ‘Scroogled’). But what about Windows Phone? We’ve seen some interesting ones in the past but nothing that could potentially go viral (or not be cringe worthy).

That may have all just changed as a new YouTube ad has gone live on the Windows Phone channel and if this doesn’t raise consumer curiosity, we’re not sure what will.

The theme is a wedding with two sides: one audience is Apple’s iPhone and the other Samsung’s Galaxy series fans. The opposing camps begin teasing each other, poking fun at Samsung’s “giant phone” and the iPhone trend of being for our most senior adults. They soon start an all-out fight, throwing common barbs at each other in the process such as “is there an app for that!” and the NFC “boing” thing.

In the midst of the fighting are two wedding workers standing casually in all the chaos, taking photos and video of the ensuing melee with their highly visible red and yellow Lumia 920s.

Oh no she didn't!

The slogan? Don’t fight. Switch.

Dare we say we think Microsoft may have finally carved out a solid middle ground between the two sides. The ad is entertaining, sidesplitting and has a clear message. They even toss in the Engadget Reader’s Choice award at the end for extra validation. Even the color balance is perfect with the boring greys and blacks for the opposing phones while the Lumia shines in bright red and yellow.

Kudos, Microsoft. Now let us pray they actually put this on TV.

Update: It will begin airing on TV tonight!

Source: Windows Phone BlogYouTube

Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.