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Huawei flamed for using DSLR camera to promote Nova 3i's camera capabilities

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Huawei has been called out for its new campaign that was perceived to be shot using new Huawei Nova 3i, when in fact, it was done using a DSLR camera. The 30-second ad by Huawei Egypt featured a couple taking a selfie with what was supposedly the Nova 3i. In the ad, the female protagonist was unwilling to take the selfie as she had no make up on. The male protagonist then turns on the beauty filter on the Nova 3i.The truth came to light when Egyptian actress and model Sarah Elshamy, who played the female protagonist in the ad, posted a behind the scenes image on her Instagram. The image showed that the ad was being captured by a DSLR camera, while the male protagonist held out his hand and pretend to snap a selfie using the smartphone. A screenshot of the post was shared online, but has since been taken down by the actress.In a statement to CNET, Huawei said that a disclaimer in Arabic at the end of the video outlines the images and content shown "are for reference only". The disclaimer states that product characteristics and actual specifications may vary, and this includes but is not limited to colour, size and appearance. Actual presentation content, including but not limited to controls, user interface and backgrounds, may also differ.Marketing has reached out to Huawei for comment.In April this year, Huawei also came under the spotlight when its brand ambassador actress Gal Gadot was mocked for promoting her collaboration with the brand using Apple's iPhone Twitter app. Although the post was removed and re-posted via an Android, screenshots of the gaffe were shared online by then. Gadot clarified through her publicist that she does not use an iPhone and "loves" her Huawei P20 and Mate10Pro.Closer to home, Huawei has also been making headlines in Malaysia, collaborating with Telekom Malaysia in March this year for the betterment of broadband and digital economy for the nation. Both parties are working hand-in-hand via multiple collaboration activities, leveraging on each other’s core expertise and capabilities to accelerate fibre broadband network reach.It also appointed Baker Zhou as CEO for Malaysia in January this year, who oversees the strategic growth, operations and overall development of the company in Malaysia. Last year, it also announced plans to construct a new OpenLam in Malaysia, to serve as an open, flexible and secure platform for joint innovation with local partners.

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