“Tim Cook Chooses Galaxy”: Samsung Finds Former Apple CEO’s Doppelgänger in New Zealand for Fold8 Ad
·
11.09.2026 18:28
·
2 min read
Samsung’s New Zealand division found an unusual way to poke fun at Apple right after the announcement of its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo. Company marketers tracked down a real New Zealand resident named Tim Cook—who bears a striking resemblance to the former Cupertino chief—and cast him as the star of a Galaxy Z Fold8 commercial.
A Palmerston North Realtor in Apple Keynote Style
The main character of the promo video isn’t a professional actor wearing a fake badge: appearing on camera is the real Tim Cook from the town of Palmerston North, who has worked as a realtor at Harcourts for years.
The Samsung team and creative agency Cheil New Zealand spoofed the aesthetic of Apple keynotes down to the smallest detail. As The Verge notes, the video is directed according to Apple Event canons: the New Zealand Cook wears a dark shirt and light sneakers against a minimalist white studio backdrop, mimicking the signature hand gestures of Apple executives.
In promotional materials, the company concisely stated, “Tim Cook switched to Samsung,” accompanying the slogan with a clarifying footnote: “The realtor from Palmerston North.” On camera, the man picks up the foldable flagship Galaxy Z Fold8 and deadpans that it’s the best phone he has ever owned.
No matter what the team is, Tim always Cooks.
— Saurav (@Saurav_DJ47) September 11, 2026
Meet Tim from Newzealand
Source: Instagram – samsungnz pic.twitter.com/EWtaY3eq4O
Leadership Change in Cupertino and the Foldable War
The situation looks even more ironic given the recent leadership changes at Apple itself. On September 1, the real Tim Cook stepped down as Apple CEO to become executive chairman of the board, handing over operational leadership to John Ternus. Yet Cook’s face remains the main symbol of the corporation in the public eye over the past fifteen years.
The campaign marks another jab by the South Korean giant at the foldable iPhone Duo. Samsung has been developing foldable displays since 2019 and actively highlights its technological edge over the latecomer competitor. Instead of routinely listing megapixels and benchmarks, marketers played on the perfect match of name and appearance, creating the most talked-about tech meme of the week.
