Samsung fires back after Rosé poses with iPhone 18 following Galaxy deal

"Maybe just skip the idol marketing?"

Samsung Electronics' official account fired a pointed jab after Blackpink member Rosé — a former Galaxy brand ambassador — appeared on social media holding Apple's latest smartphone.

On Wednesday, Rosé posted a mirror selfie with an iPhone 18 Pro on her SNS and on Apple's official account, adding the caption: "iPhone, new trick, watch this, watch this ahhhh!!!!"

Rosé is set to release a new collaboration track with Apple, "New Trick," on Sept. 18.

Samsung Electronics Canada's official account replied to Rosé's post on Saturday: "If you needed a real phone you could have just asked us." The comment drew more than 180,000 likes.

Rosé previously served as a Galaxy brand ambassador alongside fellow Blackpink members Jisoo, Jennie and Lisa.

Earlier, a post titled "No mercy once the contract ends" went viral showing all four Blackpink members switching to iPhones after their Galaxy deal expired, putting Samsung in an awkward spot.

The pattern has become a recurring embarrassment for Samsung. Celebrities and influencers who use Galaxy phones during marketing partnerships have repeatedly switched to iPhones the moment their contracts expire. Idol group Boy Next Door sparked controversy when its members were photographed flaunting iPhones at an airport almost immediately after their Samsung deal ended. Posts circulated reading: "Boy Next Door got sponsored by Galaxy, used Galaxy, and the second the contract ended, they switched to iPhones and showed them off in front of fans."

Reactions were mixed. Some defended the artists — "What does it matter?" and "Switching phones after a contract ends is a personal choice" — while others expressed disappointment, with comments such as "That's careless" and "Doing this right after the contract ends just doesn't seem right."

Lee Hyo-ri, once dubbed the eternal face of Samsung's Anycall brand after years as its advertising model, now uses an iPhone as well.