Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge (Photo : YouTube)
Samsung is offering Apple iPhone users the opportunity to try out one of its flagship smartphone models for $1 in an attempt to regain dominance of the big screen market. The electronics giant has named the promotion a "test drive" of handsets such as the double-curved touchscreen Galaxy S6 Edge, with a 30-day trial including full cellular service.
Customers can also test the S6 Edge Plus or Note 5 units for one month. The trial also includes an activated SIM card, and a voice and data plan that the user's current carrier is hosting.
However, in an interesting twist users can only sign up for the promotion by using an iPhone to visit Samsung's website. Thus, users of Android or Windows smartphones will not be eligible.
Customers who are pleased with the Samsung phone can purchase the mobile device. The company said that the step will result in "more love," but it is not explained.
On the other hand, if customers are not happy with the gadget, they can ship it back in a pre-packed package. Any damage will have a price tag of $100 or more, according to ZDNet.
Last year Samsung had some tough times in the smartphone market. It had to compete with the launch of the high-end Apple iPhone 6 and bigger screen iPhone 6 Plus. There was also competition from mid-to-low priced units from Chinese phone makers such as Xiaomi.
Samsung's market share was 21.9 percent during the second quarter (Q2) of this year, according to CNBC. Last year the Q2 figure was 26.2 percent.
Samsung is still the biggest smartphone maker in the world. However, Apple's market share rose to 14.6 percent in Q2, a 2.4 percent increase from last year.
A key development was Apple's release of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus in 2015. It challenged Samsung's dominance of big screen displays. Last week it responded with its release of the 5.7-inch S6 Edge Plus and Note 5, in an attempt to lure buyers of Apple's big screen iPhones.
It is unclear if many current iPhone users will switch to a Samsung smartphone. However, the promotion will certainly provide the company with feedback for producing its next Galaxy device.
