Apple Debuts New 'Powerful' TV Ad Focusing on iPhone 5s [Updated] - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Debuts New 'Powerful' TV Ad Focusing on iPhone 5s [Updated]

Apple has debuted a new TV ad alongside Marvel's Agents of SHIELD tonight on ABC called "Powerful". The ad, which was first spotted by 9to5Mac, showcases iPhone 5s owners using the device to enhance their lives in multiple ways.


With "Gigantic" by the Pixies [iTunes] playing in the background, the app has users using the iPhone 5s to check their health, check for directions, create short monster movies, record videos, create art installations and more, including a band preparing to play a song. The ad ends with the tagline "You're more powerful than you think".

Apple has not aired an iPhone 5s ad since the seasonal holiday ad "Misunderstood", which has since been removed from its YouTube channel. In the meantime, Apple has instead focusing its advertising efforts on the iPad's "Your Verse" ad campaign.

Update 8:31 PM: A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to the ad as "Gigantic". It has been corrected to its proper name, "Powerful". Apple's official YouTube video for the ad has also been swapped in.

Popular Stories

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...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Saturday April 18, 2026 5:59 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple CEO Tim Cook Stepping Down, John Ternus Taking Over

Monday April 20, 2026 1:33 pm PDT by
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple's chief executive officer, and hardware engineering chief John Ternus is set to take over, Apple announced today. Cook will continue on as Apple CEO through the summer, with Ternus set to join Apple's Board of Directors and take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. Cook is going to transition to executive chairman, and he will "assist with certain...

Top Rated Comments

chirpie Avatar
157 months ago
LOL. The notification poped up on my computer...

"Apple Debuts New 'Gigantic' TV..."

And I was like... wuhhh?!

Not quite what I was expecting. ^_^

Still nifty.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
157 months ago
And my ears are bleeding. That might be the world's worst song. I've screamed better than that as a 5 year old.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
east85 Avatar
157 months ago
This advertisement fails to evoke any emotion. Honestly I've seen great iPhone advertisements in the past but this isn't one.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
157 months ago
I dont know about this ad...Phil Schiller might need send another e-mail out ranting about their ad agency.

Of course, being someone who visits macrumors i think we overanalyze these ads.

I still love this ad //www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO3rsfE7GM0 even if the 5c was a failure.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tolkientosh Avatar
157 months ago
I like how they included the athlete monitoring his heart rate. Definitely a nock against the Galaxy S5 and it's subpar (~50% fail) heart rate monitor.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surfingarbo Avatar
157 months ago
My push notification got me excited at the line: "Apple Debuts New 'Gigantic' TV".

Then I read the second half of the sentance...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)