In the fiercely competitive world of smartphones, the foldable phone war is heating up, and every major player wants a piece of the action. However, one tech titan that remains conspicuously absent from this foldable frenzy is Apple. This gap in the market hasn’t gone unnoticed by rival Samsung, who sees an opportunity to lure Apple loyalists to their foldable offerings. With a recent update to its Try Galaxy app, Samsung now allows iPhone users to simulate the experience of using Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold device by positioning two iPhones side by side. Though initially available on Android phones, the Try Galaxy app has now been extended to iPhones, marking a strategic move by Samsung in its quest to outshine Apple in the global smartphone market.

Samsung’s latest app update follows the high-profile launch of their newest foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5, at an event in Seoul last month graced by celebrities such as BTS’ Suga and Euphoria star Sydney Sweeney. While the app may appear to be a clever marketing gimmick, it underscores Samsung’s belief in foldable phones as a vital weapon in their arsenal against Apple. By allowing iPhone users to experience the Galaxy Z Fold’s interface, Samsung hopes to convince them of the advantages of a larger, foldable screen. However, the question remains: will this virtual taste of foldable technology be enough to sway Apple devotees?

Samsung Takes a Jab at Apple with its ‘Try Galaxy’ App Update

Just about every major smartphone manufacturer has jumped on the foldable phone bandwagon, except for one noticeable absentee – Apple. Samsung, one of Apple’s fiercest competitors, is looking to capitalize on this by offering an innovative way for Apple users to experience the appeal of foldable phones.

Samsung’s Foldable Phone Simulation for iPhones

In its latest update to the ‘Try Galaxy’ app, Samsung allows users to simulate the experience of their Galaxy Z Fold device. This is achieved by placing two iPhones side by side, mimicking the dual-screen setup of Samsung’s foldable offering. Initially, the feature was available only on Android devices, but Samsung has now expanded its reach to work on iPhones too.

The timing of the update is significant as it comes in the wake of Samsung launching its latest foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5. Samsung’s app update might be seen as a marketing gimmick, but it also underscores the company’s strategic focus on foldables as a key differentiator in its rivalry with Apple.

Simulating the Foldable Experience

To use the app on an iPhone, one needs to scan a QR code from Samsung and add a shortcut to the ‘Try Galaxy’ app on the iPhone’s home screen. Launching the shortcut pulls up a simulation of Samsung’s One UI Android software. The app includes a few short demos such as an air hockey game and an animated ocean scene.

Despite the immersive demos, recreating the actual experience of using the Galaxy Z Fold is challenging. Using two phones doesn’t effectively mimic the larger screen size of the Galaxy Z Fold, which offers an advantage in displaying apps like Netflix, Chrome, and YouTube.

The Multitasking Advantage

However, the demo does provide a glimpse into how apps work in split-screen mode on a foldable device. It allows you to open the messages app on one iPhone and the photo gallery on the other, even enabling you to drag and drop photos between the two. It’s a fairly accurate representation of Samsung’s multitasking features, even though the Z Fold’s unique shape means apps won’t look exactly the same as on two separate phones.

Foldable Phones: The Future of Smartphones?

With increasing competition from new and existing rivals like Google, OnePlus, Motorola, and Oppo, all planning to release foldable phones, Samsung has a strong incentive to promote its devices. Market research firm IDC expects worldwide shipments of foldable phones to grow by over 50% in 2023, adding to the motivation for companies to invest in this burgeoning market.

Meanwhile, Apple remains silent on its foldable phone plans. Rumors suggest a foldable device might be in the works for a 2025 release, but until then, Samsung seems poised to continue reminding Apple loyalists of their absence in the foldable phone market.

Final Takeaways

Samsung’s latest marketing move cleverly capitalizes on Apple’s current absence in the foldable phone market, potentially enticing iPhone users to consider switching to a foldable device. While the ‘Try Galaxy’ app can’t fully replicate the experience of using a Galaxy Z Fold, it provides a tantalizing taste of the multitasking capabilities of Samsung’s foldable devices. As the foldable phone market continues to grow, it will be interesting to see when and how Apple responds.