OnePlus' latest marketing stunt appears to have backfired even though it showed the 6T slightly different than it actually is for a fraction of the ad.
An ad for OnePlus 6T was posted on official social media channels and on YouTube, where the company is highlighting the different features of the phone, such as fast charging, 8GB RAM, in-display fingerprint scanner and the lauded Night Sight feature. While it is standard for a company to advertise the best features of the phone, OnePlus seems to have gone a step further to show the 6T more visually appealing than it actually is.
Sure, OnePlus 6T is one of the best premium smartphones and a great-looking phone one can buy in its range. We've reviewed the phone and it clearly packs the best of everything - display, design, battery and performance. But for some reason, OnePlus thought it'd be cool to show a completely bezel-less 6T in the ad, even if it meant for a few seconds.
The ad, which lasts a minute, shows the 6T with a chin that's a lot slimmer than the one of the original phone. Also, the bezels around the notch appear to have been trimmed to make the phone visually appealing - after all the new trend is heading towards a truly bezel-less display.
In OnePlus' defense, the climax of the ad shows the 6T in its actual form, just like the one seen on the company's official website and in reality. But why go to such lengths to promote a smartphone that has already been well-received by critics and consumers alike? Well, one possible reason could be that the company wanted to show the large-screen gaming experience rather than slimmer bezels on the phone.
Whatever the reason, OnePlus' latest stunt didn't sit well with many people, who criticized the brand heavily. The video ad has crossed 1.6 million views on YouTube already.
Hey @OnePlus that chin ain’t that small ? pic.twitter.com/lHtGOsznLt
— Dro ⌁ (@pedropeguerojr) December 21, 2018
And after the very likely fake leak marketing move, the misleading #OnePlus6T removed chin advertisement... I definitely hate that brand... ? https://t.co/hMna9tejZG (deceit spotted by @pedropeguerojr and reported by @corbindavenport for @AndroidPolice) pic.twitter.com/URp3u0pQHX
— Steve H.McFly (@OnLeaks) December 22, 2018
If @oneplus had really posted this pic, then it is the cheapest gimmicks the company is doing.@OnePlus_IN
— Bansuri J S (@bansuri0100) December 22, 2018
From @oneplus community.#OnePlus6T
@OnePlus has already been caught cheating in AnTuTu. How's this any different? They're a scam, who've forgotten their original mission of developing the cheapest flagship grade phone, and instead want to milk customers now.
— H S KARTHIK DEEP (@karthik_deep) December 22, 2018
To recall, OnePlus had pulled a similar stunt back in July to promote its red variant of the OnePlus 6 smartphone. The bezels were trimmed to show it as a bezel-less phone, but that wasn't the case. Like the last time, this little stunt was completely unnecessary and easily avoidable. OnePlus 6T is the last phone to be beauty-conscious. Watch the ad below and look for that criticisable moment at 0:43 seconds.
