Samsung Woos iPhone Owners With $1 Galaxy Note 5, S6 Edge+ 30-Day Test Drive

by Brandon Hill — Friday, August 21, 2015, 09:00 AM EDT

Samsung earlier this year released its highly capable and impeccably crafted Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphones, which it hoped would be enough to stem its slide in smartphone sales. Unfortunately for Samsung, its move to more premium materials and super aesthetics didn’t translate into meaningful sales momentum. The recently announced Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, which are both priced in the stratosphere, are unlikely to move the needle either.

However, Samsung does have one trick up its sleeve; one that it is hoping will help lure a user base that is reluctant to switch sides. That’s right, Samsung is going directly after Apple iPhone users in a new “switch” program that it is labeling the “Ultimate Test Drive.” Current iPhone customers will be able to trial one of three Galaxy smartphones for 30 days with no further obligation or commitment to purchase.

Those that choose to participate in the Ultimate Test Drive can select from three Galaxy smartphones: the Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge+ and the Galaxy Note 5. They will also be given the choice of four wireless carriers to choose from: AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon Wireless. So not only will you be able take your pick of Samsung’s flagship smartphones, but you’ll also be able to test out a competing wireless carrier’s network to see if its coverage suits your needs (if you were thinking about making a switch).

Samsung is charging just a $1 processing fee to signup for the program, and the monthly wireless service charges are waived. Each phone is delivered with a prepaid shipping label, so that you can return it to Samsung once the 30-day trial has ended. If you send back a damaged smartphone (i.e. cracked screen, water damage), you’ll be charged $100. If you simply fail to send back the phone within 30 days (plus the additional five-day grace period that Samsung is generously providing) you will be charged the full replacement cost for the device that you selected ($720 for the Galaxy S6, $820 for the Galaxy S6 Edge).

Here’s one final wrinkle in Samsung’s Ultimate Test Drive promotion. Samsung wants to make sure that only iPhone users take advantage of the promotion, and it checks to make sure that you are using the Mobile Safari browser to signup. However, some users over at Slickdeals have discovered that using the User-Agent Switcher extension for Chrome or Firefox will allow you to identify your browser as Mobile Safari and signup without issue.

Tags: Samsung, Apple, iPhone, (NASDAQ:AAPL), galaxy s6 edge, krx005930, galaxy note 5, galaxy s6 edge+, ultimate test drive

Brandon Hill

Brandon received his first PC, an IBM Aptiva 310, in 1994 and hasn’t looked back since. He cut his teeth on computer building/repair working at a mom and pop computer shop as a plucky teen in the mid 90s and went on to join AnandTech as the Senior News Editor in 1999. Brandon would later help to form DailyTech where he served as Editor-in-Chief from 2008 until 2014. Brandon is a tech geek at heart, and family members always know where to turn when they need free tech support. When he isn’t writing about the tech hardware or studying up on the latest in mobile gadgets, you’ll find him browsing forums that cater to his long-running passion: automobiles.

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