Apple Ad India: Samir Soni's Iconic Role as iPhone 16 Excitement Grows

As anticipation builds for Apple's 2024 event today, a 28-year-old advertisement from the tech giant's early days in India has resurfaced, going viral on social media and stirring a wave of nostalgia.

The ad, originally aired on Doordarshan in 1996, marks Apple’s first major attempt to tap into the Indian market—a full two decades before it began producing India-focused iPhone ads in 2016.

Set in a typical 1990s office, the ad features actor Samir Soni as a confident young professional using a Power Macintosh. The storyline unfolds as a senior executive, clutching a Windows floppy disk, enters the room in search of a PC to run it. Soni offers his Mac, much to the executive’s skepticism.

1. The executive dismisses the Mac as not being a serious business computer.
2. In a clever twist, Soni removes a fluffy toy from the top of his Mac, asking, “Does that help?” after he successfully runs the disk.

The ad is a reflection of the era’s skepticism towards Apple’s offerings, especially in a market like India, which was still warming up to personal computing. It’s a stark contrast to today’s Apple, which commands a significant market share and is a status symbol for millions in the country.

After a long hiatus from India-specific marketing, Apple re-entered the scene in 2016 with a series of advertisements tailored for the Indian audience, coinciding with the growing popularity of the iPhone.

Apple is set to launch new products in India today in its much-anticipated ‘It’s Glowtime’ event where the iPhone 16 and smartwatches are almost a certain bet. Mac devices and iPad upgrades generally take place in November. The event can be livestreamed on Apple’s official website and YouTube channel at 10:30 pm IST.