Huawei uses DSLR camera to capture 'selfie' featured in nova 3 video ad [Updated]

Update: Huawei has sent us the following statement regarding the ad in question:

The purpose of this advertisement is to demonstrate how consumers can use the features of the HUAWEI nova 3 and nova 3i. As stated in the disclaimer at the end of the video, the product shots are for reference only.

The original story follows.

Huawei has found itself in some hot water over a video ad it's created for distribution in Egypt. It's all about the recently outed nova 3 and nova 3i, and as far as smartphone commercials go, at first blush it's nothing out of the ordinary.

Unfortunately for the Chinese company, Sarah Elshamy, the actress that's featured in the ad, shared a 'making of' picture from the set on Instagram. You can see the video ad in question embedded above, whereas the incriminating image is below.

That's definitely not a selfie captured with either the Huawei nova 3 or nova 3i. As you can see, a DSLR camera is being used by a pro photographer, and the male actor holds out his hand to create the illusion of him holding the phone.

Elshamy promptly deleted this shot from her Instagram account, but not before the obvious backlash ensued. Why companies never seem to learn to not pull such tricks is one of the biggest mysteries of marketing.

Via