[cookiecaper]

I don't think the phones are that similar. Certainly they're not similar enough to cause confusion for anyone under 40. I have seen the comparison and the Galaxy, while it obviously took some hints from the iPhone (as did all subsequent smartphones), has a distinct feel and shape. I know the difference immediately between and iPhone and a Galaxy.

[danudey]

I've seen more than a few people in shops or on transit that were using their iPhones, and it was only when I tried to see (out of curiosity as an app developer) what apps they were using that I noticed they were actually Samsung phones.

As someone who's very tuned in to the tech scene, mobile device trends, and the like, as well as a big fan of my iPhone (having owned each one since they came to Canada), the fact that I, from two or three feet away, would completely mistake a Samsung phone for an iPhone means that there's more than just a passing similarity.

Beyond that, consumers generally don't understand the differences. They see two smartphones that look pretty much identical (as far as they know), with similar packaging, form factor, and icons, the salesman tells them that they're essentially the same phone, and one of them is cheaper, they might well pick the Samsung phone over the iPhone, despite their intention being to buy an iPhone specifically.

Yes, consumers will do this. Apple's concern here, though, may be that people will be confused by the issue, whether they end up buying Apple's products or not.

[gonzo]

> Certainly they're not similar enough to cause confusion for anyone under 40

blow me, hipster scum. :-)