Samsung's VP for Design Offended by Apple's Allegations of Copying - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Samsung's VP for Design Offended by Apple's Allegations of Copying

samsungReuters profiles Samsung Electronics and their design process in the setting of Apple's ongoing legal battle accusing Samsung of "slavishly copying" Apple's products.

Samsung Mobile's vice president for design Lee Minhyouk takes Apple's charges personally and denies the allegations:

"I've made thousands of sketches and hundreds of prototype products (for the Galaxy). Does that mean I was putting on a mock show for so long, pretending to be designing?"

"As a designer, there's an issue of dignity. (The Galaxy) is original from the beginning, and I'm the one who made it. It's a totally different product with a different design language and different technology infused."

Lee admits that he may not be at the level of Apple's VP for design Jonathan Ive, but believes Samsung "will produce such iconic products one day."

Samsung has proven to be the largest Android smartphone manufacturer and one of Apple's biggest competitors. Samsung is also one of Apple's biggest suppliers and the manufacturer of Apple's 3rd Generation iPad's Retina Display. Apple and Samsung are in an ongoing legal battle over design and patent claims.

Popular Stories

macworld iphone 18 pro colors

iPhone 18 Pro's Four Rumored Colors Revealed, Including 'Dark Cherry'

Friday April 17, 2026 3:50 am PDT by
A source said to be familiar with Apple's supply chain today revealed the color options Apple is planning for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the upcoming foldable iPhone. Image via Macworld. The information comes from Macworld, which says the signature new color for this year's Pro models will be Dark Cherry, a deep wine-like red. While other sources had previously reported on a...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Wednesday April 15, 2026 8:15 am PDT by
According to the latest rumors, Apple is close to launching its next-generation iPad mini. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in code...
macOS 27 on MacBook Pro

macOS 27 Will Mark the End of an Era

Saturday April 18, 2026 6:45 am PDT by
During its Platforms State of the Union segment at WWDC 2025, Apple revealed that macOS 26 Tahoe is the final major macOS version for Intel-based Macs. The upcoming macOS 27 release will be compatible with Apple silicon Macs only, meaning that you will need a Mac with an M-series chip or a MacBook Neo with an A18 Pro chip in order to install the software update. macOS 27 should be available...

Top Rated Comments

184 months ago
Well, at least he got one thing right, he's not on the level of Ive. :apple:
Score: 83 Votes (Like | Disagree)
184 months ago
well if he says he spent all that time coming up with thousands of designs and prototypes I'd love to see all the variations and know why he picked the one pretty much identical to the iPhone! ;)

Samsung and dignity :D :D
Score: 81 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PackFan Avatar
184 months ago
Boo hoo...

The entire basis of Android is that it is a copy of Apple...
Score: 65 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FFArchitect Avatar
184 months ago
"and I'm the one who made it"

I distinctly remembering Steve Jobs stating repeatedly that it wasn't just him, emphasizing that thousands of people were involved in their innovations.

He could learn a lesson or two about cultivating a culture around Samsung's development.
Score: 61 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jasonxneo Avatar
184 months ago
That phone in the article looks like an iPhone :D
Score: 57 Votes (Like | Disagree)
184 months ago
Cry me a river...
Score: 49 Votes (Like | Disagree)