Samsung busted faking Galaxy 'blur effect' with a DSLR photo

Many phone cameras today can achieve a blurry SLR background effect for portrait photos. But while they look decent on a small screen, they don't cut it when blown up for marketing material.

To get around this problem, Samsung decided to use a photo taken with a DSLR camera to show off the Galaxy A8 Star's dual rear camera portrait capabilities, and a feature that allows users to adjust the background blur effect.

It might have remained a secret hadn't photographer Dunja Djudjic reverse image-searched a photo she'd taken on a DSLR, distributed by Getty Images, and discovered it on Samsung's Malaysia website. Djudjic details the discovery on her site, DIYPhotography.

Samsung cut Djudjic's head out of her original photo and placed it on a different background with two different effect levels.

One of the photos is of Djudjic with zero background blur, while a second of the same subject and scene purports to show maximum background blur. A third photo shows the dual 16MP and 24MP rear cameras.

Samsung's website originally didn't mention anywhere that the photos were not taken from the Galaxy A8 Star. Without such a disclosure, there's a heavy implication that the photos were actually from the phone's camera.

SEE: IT pro's guide to the evolution and impact of 5G technology (free PDF)

However, since Djudjic's post was picked up by tech media, Samsung has slapped on a fine-print disclosure, "image simulated for demo purpose", and an accompanying footnote that "all images are simulated for illustrative purposes".

Not surprisingly in an industry known for cheating performances benchmarks, Samsung isn't alone in faking a phone's camera capabilities.

As Djudjic notes, Huawei has been busted for it too, and Samsung Brazil was recently caught tweeting stock Getty shots to promote the Galaxy A8's camera.

Previous and related coverage

Samsung unveils Galaxy A9: World's first phone with four rear cameras

The Galaxy A9 is the first phone from Samsung's new mid-range first strategy.

Samsung Galaxy S10's chipset? Exynos 9820 unveiled with 20% speed boost, AI chip

Samsung unveils the 8nm chipset that will power its 2019 flagship handsets.

Huawei busted for cheating over P20, Honor Play performance benchmarks

Our rivals do it, so we had no choice but to follow suit, argues Huawei.

Samsung mocks Apple again: This time it's poking fun at iPhone's throttling troubles

Samsung's new Galaxy S9 upgrade ad tries to capitalize on Apple's iPhone "battery slowdown" controversy.

Samsung 'Galaxy F' foldable: Possible March launch but it won't be cheap

Samsung's first foldable phone will burn a hole in your wallet if reports of its price prove accurate.

A business laptop with 3 screens? Microsoft patent filing points at multi-screen folding device TechRepublic

A dual-screen device patent recently filed by Microsoft includes a third screen attached to the devices hinge that can display information in a variety of configurations.

Samsung's foldable phone is real and opens into a tablet CNET

The device will use the company's new Infinity Flex Display and be available next year.