''Desperate'' Samsung offers ''free'' flagship phones to iPhone fans

Sammy wants you to get hooked on its shinies

Samsung wants you to test-drive one of its flagship phones. iPhone users can try a Galaxy S6 edge+, Note5, or the smaller S6 edge for 30 days, with (ahem) "no obligation." It's free (if you don't count the $1 fee and the risk you might break or lose it).

Yep, Samsung seems serious about getting out of its sales funk. Programs such as this don't come cheap.

But is it really going to work? In IT Blogwatch, bloggers scratch their heads.

curated these bloggy bits for your entertainment.


Nigel "RTF" Manuel reads the fine runes: [You're fired -Ed.]

Samsung [said] it would give iPhone users a chance to try its latest smartphones, the...Galaxy S6 Edge+ and...Note 5. During the 30-day test drive, users will get...a free data plan. There are no obligations.

It's unclear how many iPhone users will bite. This isn't the first time a test drive program has been done. T-Mobile has a program where customers are able to take an iPhone 5S smartphone out for a week. ... While it didn't do well in terms of numbers [it] let its customers know that they carry the iPhone.  MORE


Carly Page calls it a "desperate bid":

Ultimate Test Drive is available to confused punters in the US and is aimed at iPhone users who fancy a change of scenery. ... You'll have to pay $1 to borrow [one].

BlackBerry or Windows Phone users who wouldn't mind giving them a try: bad luck...they must sign up to it using their iPhone. 

[The] promotion comes, conveniently, just a day after Gartner revealed that...Samsung's share of the market fell [4.3 points] in the first quarter [while] Apple gained 2.4 percentage points...thanks to strong iPhone replacements.  MORE


That one-dollar charge is presumably a way to verify payment authority, notes James Vincent:

Anyone who fails to return the smartphone within 30 days will be charged the full retail price.

Test handsets arrive with a prepaid shipping box to make returns easier.  MORE


And Michael Andronico is already sold:

Samsung is confident that iPhone owners will love the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge.

Even without a free trial, the latest Galaxy phones make a compelling case for iPhone owners to switch to a Samsung.  MORE


Meanwhile, Shervin sees the opportunity for a spittle-flecked rant:

Samsung can pay ME to test drive their phone. And by "test drive" I mean load up their iPhone 5/6 replica with my JPGs evidencing just how closely they copied Apple's iPhone to build up their galaxy brand and toss it back in their lying faces. Maybe it'll clip Lucy Koh at the side of her head, on the toss back. My tax dollars better not be spent on a Supreme Court hearing for their bitching. Pay Apple the paltry $500M, considering you made BILLIONS from them, you thieves.  MORE


And batchtaster says it's, "More evidence Samsung just don't get it":

Everyone I know who switched from an iPhone to an Android has regretted it. One did it deliberately for 2 years so he could push back on Fandroids from a position of strength and came away saying it was even more painful than he expected.

Given the high satisfaction rates among iPhone owners (something like 98%), and the lack of any motivation whatsoever for a regular user to take it up - beyond the techno-masochists wanting to make a point - I don't see this being a very successful promotion.  MORE


You have been reading IT Blogwatch by , who curates the best bloggy bits, finest forums, and weirdest websites… so you don't have to. Catch the key commentary from around the Web every morning. Hatemail may be directed to @RiCHi or itbw@richi.uk. Opinions expressed may not represent those of Computerworld. Ask your doctor before reading. Your mileage may vary. E&OE.

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Tags iPhonesamsungGalaxy S6 Edge

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