I've been a fan of iPhones since my family decided to embrace the smartphone era with the iPhone 5 (me and my wife) and 5C (our son). I am also a fan of Apple computers, and the Apple universe of things. When we switched to Sprint (from Verizon) to take advantage of their half-price deal, we all upped to the iPhone 6 (Pluses for me and my wife, the standard 6 for our son). Except for getting annoyed with useless changes - such as swiping left to delete emails after years of swiping right - I am very comfortable with the phone and iOS. I have all the apps I need and want from games to photo editing to bank apps to news to travel to workout apps. The iOS is familiar, intuitive and user-friendly. I have no desire to switch to an android phone, though I considered the LG G6 when it was first introduced and there were some good deals. But I didn't get a G6. I am happy with all things Apple. Then I got the email from Samsung. But let me take you back a little.
About two years ago I signed up for Samsung Insights. The program can roughly be described as a testing ground in the wild for their products. I was enticed by their offer of the use of a Galaxy S6 Edge for one month. They offered a new phone with its own telephone number. My obligation was to pony up a buck and to complete a survey at the end of the one month. And to return the phone when the month was up. I paid the dollar and I received my phone in March 2016. I used the phone - not that often - for a month. I completed a lengthy survey. I was thorough and truthful in my answers. I hated that phone. I hated the OS. I hated the edge screen. I hated the responsiveness of the touch screen. The only thing I liked was the one dollar I paid to learn that I made the right choice by going with Apple. Then, in April 2017, I got that email from Samsung.
New and different terms for this deal - use a Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus for a year, and it's mine. No money needed for this deal - just use it as my primary phone and download their app to track my usage. I signed up. And waited. Not everyone who signed up would be asked to participate. So I didn't hold my breath. Besides, I love my Apple iPhone. Maybe love is too strong. I love my dog. I love my Mom. I love my son. I love my wife. I really really like my iPhone.
May passed by. June passed by. I forgot about Samsung. I was using my iPhone and thinking about the iPhone 8. In July, right before going on a quick trip to Ocean City, New Jersey, I got another email from Samsung - if I'm interested, they have a few S8s and S8 Pluses left. Would you pass this up? A brand new, 800-dollar, state-of-the-art, flagship phone free of charge? I didn't think so. I replied - "yes, I'm interested." I was thinking, of course, that I'll take your phone, use it a little and after a year sell it and put that money towards a new iPhone.
Now I have a shiny new Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus Android phone, despite being a big fan of Apple, despite hating the last Samsung I used for a month. In the coming year I will write of my experience. I will compare iOS with Android, Samsung with Apple. I will drag you along on this experiment of sorts, if you are willing to follow.
Stay tuned.
