Samsung Electronics ran out of Galaxy devices it had set aside for iPhone customers to "test drive" for a month on the first day of the promotion, which Samsung attributed to strong demand.
"The response to our Ultimate Test Drive has been overwhelming and exceeded our expectations," a Samsung representative told Re/code on Friday. "In just a few hours, all of the kits earmarked for this program were reserved by customers looking to try our latest and greatest devices. We're now working quickly on how to make the Ultimate Test Drive available to even more people."
The promotion began at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time on Friday.
The promotion, which was only open to iPhone users, cost $1, and allowed customers to try either a Galaxy S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ or Galaxy Note 5 for 30 days with no obligation. Customers who signed up got the phone of their choice, an activated SIM card for their preferred carrier and a step-by-step guide to set up the device.
After 30 days, customers can either return the phone or choose to upgrade. The trial is available for customers on Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ), AT&T Mobility (NYSE: T), T-Mobile US (NYSE:TMUS) and Sprint (NYSE: S).
It's unclear how many devices Samsung set aside for the promotion, as well as how it planned to ensure that customers returned the devices. Samsung also did not say if or when it would have more phones in stock for the test drive. Samsung representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Samsung released the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5 weeks earlier than it usually does. Samsung has in the past unveiled its Note phablets in early September to get ahead of Apple's expected September announcement of its new iPhone models.
Although Samsung is still the leader in terms of smartphone sales, its mobile revenue and profits have been declining. During the second quarter Samsung indicated it underestimated demand for the curved-screen S6 Edge and had to scramble to make up for that; the company has said supply issues have been addressed.
For more:
- see this CNET article
- see this Re/code article
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