Best Buy Customers Thought Galaxy Tabs Were iPads

News
By Tuan Mai
published

Apparently a big Samsung logo on the box isn't a clear enough indication.

Galaxy Tab 10.1 (Left) iPad (Right)

As the giant lawsuit between Apple and Samsung continues to heat up in preparation for the July 30th trials, some interesting information makes its way to the surface. Apparently Google along with other companies may have warned Samsung that the Galaxy Tab 10.1 looked a little too much like the iPad. In addition, it looks like a few Best Buy customers may have needed a warning of their own.

According to some recently released legal documents examined by All Things D:

Samsung was forced to release a bunch of documents it had been keeping under seal that show the likeness between its products and Apple’s. Examples outlined in the documents include comments from Samsung workers discussing similarities with Apple’s products, and reports Samsung got from retailer Best Buy that Samsung tablets were being returned because customers thought they were getting iPads. Samsung still has a pending motion to prevent all of this information from being included at trial.

There is certainly an argument to be made regarding the similar design of the two tablets, as this ongoing battle clearly indicates. But is it really so bad that customers would take home the wrong one? Seeing as how the words Apple or iPad are nowhere to be found on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 box, we can't help but shamefully bury our faces in our palms at this one.

 

Contact Us for News Tips, Corrections and Feedback

Tuan Mai
Tuan Mai
Tuan Mai is a Los Angeles based writer and marketing manager working within the PC Hardware industry. He has written for Tom's Guide since 2010, with a special interest in the weird and quirky.
94 Comments Comment from the forums
  • lahawzel
    Not like you can expect much else for people who still go to Best Buy to buy their electronics, like those $50 gold-plated HDMI cables or $99 keyboard with rubber domes that has worse everything compared to a $20 Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000.
    Reply
  • cryogenic
    "Best Buy Customers Thought Galaxy Tabs Were iPads"

    That just about sums it up about Apple fan base these days!
    Reply
  • Miharu
    The boxes aren't the same! Let's figure out­.

    If they're stupid enough to buy the bad one, they just have to return it. End of story.

    I think this story is (MOSTLY) made up just to help the trial. Best Buy and Apple are pretty good friend.
    Reply
  • mindless728
    Well let's face, in general people are retarded

    I know people who think those crappy $200 (or less) android tablets are iPads
    Reply
  • EzioAs
    Seriously??? They couldn't even tell whether it's a Samsung Tab or an iPad?? Do you buy only on looks without even looking at the product name?? Wow these people need help.
    Reply
  • bucknutty
    I worked at a CompUSA like 15 years ago. I was always amazed that we took back about 25% of our daily sales in returns.

    It just goes to show that people will buy anything with no idea of what they are buying. Imagine for every $100 sold the store gives back $25. The worst part about it, is the stuff brought back was always opened and man handled so we could not put it back on the shelf, we had to send it back to the supplier and get a an inventory credit.
    Reply
  • kawininjazx
    That just goes to show you why the iPad sells so well. It's a great product, but people think the iPad is the only tablet out there. They see a fancy box that says "Samsung" and they think it's an iPad. They probably used it for a few hours until they realized it didn't sync with iTunes.
    Reply
  • freggo
    Just goes to show the IQ the average Best Buy Customer has.
    We have a former President that could compete here :-)
    Reply
  • CaedenV
    who cares how similar the product is? These things are locked up, and you have to ask an employee for the item you want. Besides that Apple products have very distinctive minimalistic packaging with their logo on it. Samsung products say SAMSUNG in dark bold lettering. If you are going to drop $500 on a computer accessory and do not know what they hell you are buying then you get what you deserve!
    Reply
  • house70
    Let's see...
    -big fat hardware button on the front bezel
    -different aspect ratio
    -big logo on tablet
    -different name on the box
    -etc. (list could go on)

    yeah, I could see why people would get sooo confused....../facepalm
    Reply