This Samsung app turns your iPhone into a Galaxy Z Fold5 for a taste of the future
Samsung is offering iPhone owners the opportunity to try out their foldables as the company updates its Try Galaxy web app.
For those who don’t know, Try Galaxy gives “non-Android users” a way to test Galaxy smartphones, including the S23 line, in an effort to convince people to switch. Now Samsung is trying the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 to a new customer base by mimicking – or trying to – the same experience. It’s a bit tricky.
According to the official announcementiOS users need to grab a second iPhone and connect it to their own iPhone to get the Z Fold5s expanded screen. Doing so will activate “video demonstrations” where people can see what content looks like on the “immersive full screen.” Then the app will enable the “enhanced drag and drop features” that let iPhone owners experience what it’s like to move items between screens.
As shown in the image below, users can see what One User Interface 5.1.1 looks like spread over the two phones or play a game of digital air hockey.
FlexCam demo
There’s no real way to replicate the Z Flip5’s smaller, outer screen on an iPhone, so you’re missing that particular aspect. Instead, you can try out FlexCam mode, a camera feature available on both of Samsung’s foldable cameras. However, there is a small problem with this particular preview: we don’t know exactly how it will work.
FlexCam is essentially a timer tool for taking hands-free photos. The main difference is that you can prop the phone up for interesting angles. This can easily be done on something like the Z Flip5 by just folding it in half, but of course it can’t be done with the iPhone. Judging by Samsung’s description, it could just be an on-screen demo showing all the different angles possible with FlexCam.
In addition to the software tools exclusive to the foldables, Samsung’s app provides access to more common features. For example, there’s Quick Share for sending files to friends and family, plus an option to preview Samsung Health’s body composition date combined with a galaxy watch”.
Availability
To access the demo, go to the Try the Galaxy website then scan the QR code on the screen. After scanning, the app launches the Safari browser. Requirements are not very strict. You need at least an iPhone 7 with the latest version of iOS. As long as you have that, you’re good to go.
No mobile app is available, presumably because Apple doesn’t want Samsung to lure people to the dark side of the App Store.
If you’re interested in switching sides, you should definitely check it out TechRadar’s list of the best Galaxy smartphones for recommendations.