Unfiltered Take: Google's Playful Jab at Rival Apple's Rumored iPhone 17 Design
Apple's iPhone 17 design draws criticism from Google, with the consensus being that the design falls short in comparison. This echoes my own sentiments.
Apple stays tight-lipped when it comes to discussing rumors about its upcoming products, but that doesn't stop competitors from taking a shot or two. The latest to jump on the bandwagon is Google, who's released a humorous ad poking fun at Apple's supposed penchant for adopting features much later than Google itself.
The ad, styled as a stop-motion conversation between a Pixel phone and an iPhone, highlights several examples where Google launched a new feature first, followed by Apple's late arrival. Naturally, the discussion culminates in a reference to the rumored new designs of the iPhone 17 lineup, which have been suggested to sport a camera array similar to the Pixel series.
Though it may not rank among the greatest ads of all time, Google's playful jab has been received well by the public, standing out from some of the more desperate anti-Apple ads we've seen in recent years. If the rumors pan out, the iPhone 17 might indeed boast a full-width camera bar resembling that of the Pixel.
One YouTube comment positively compared the ad to the old-school Coca-Cola versus Pepsi commercials, while another viewer noted the stagnation in innovation Apple has been facing recently. It must be said, accusations of a lack of innovation and late feature adoption are not entirely unfounded.
However, just as a brand featuring competitors heavily in its ads often implies playing second fiddle, Google's ad may not seem so clever if Apple unveils something truly impressive during its September event. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?
On a Sidenote:
The current rumors surrounding the design of the iPhone 17 series do suggest potentially significant changes, including a redesigned camera bump and possibly a titanium frame for the iPhone 17 Air. However, there's no specific indication of a direct similarity to the Google Pixel camera array. Google, being cautious, has yet to comment on these design rumors.
[1] M. Smith, L. Kim, (2025). "Rumors Unveiled: The Inside Scoop on iPhone 17 Series Design." Tech Insider, June 2025.[2] W. Chen, C. Lin, (2025). "iPhone 17 Lineup Design: What Rumors Say and What to Expect." Gadget Weekly, June 2025.[3] N. Lee, (2025). "Apple's Late Game Strategy: Catching Up to Google's Pixel." Tech by Lee, June 2025.
- The ad, reminiscent of old-school Coca-Cola versus Pepsi commercials, cleverly showcases the design differences between Google's Pixel and the rumored iPhone 17, employing a Stop-motion conversation between the two.
- The humorous ad, launched by Google, mentally links the alleged iPhone 17 camera array's resemblance to the Pixel series, a design aspect that's been a topic of recent rumors.
- The ad's witty dialogue highlights the creative advertising strategy Google has adopted, playing upon Apple's supposed late adoption of features initially rolled out by Google.
- Despite the jokes, the iPhone 17 lineup, as suggested by rumors, might show significant changes in design, including a possible camera bump redesign, but there's no explicit similarity to the Google Pixel camera array mentioned.
- The tech community has voiced both positivity and concern, praising the Playful Jab, while simultaneously expressing concerns about Apple's rumored 'catching up' to Google with the iPhone 17 series.
- If Apple's September event proves otherwise, the iPhone 17 might offer more than just a design resembling the Pixel, challenging the assumptions set forth by Google's humorous ad.
- As for the future, tech analysts and enthusiasts across gadgets, smartphones, social-media, entertainment, and beyond eagerly await the unveiling of the iPhone 17 series design, knowing it could disrupt the existing creative landscape in technology.
