Apple vs Samsung 2026: Market Share, Profit, Updates
Apple dominates premium smartphones and tablets with tight hardware-software integration and higher profit margins, while Samsung leads in market share and device diversity with Android flexibility and competitive pricing across more product categories.
Apple Inc.
Premium technology company specializing in integrated hardware-software ecosystem across phones, tablets, computers, and wearables.
Premium users prioritizing ecosystem integration, security, and long-term device support; professionals requiring seamless Mac-iPhone-iPad workflows
Samsung Electronics
Diversified global technology conglomerate manufacturing smartphones, displays, semiconductors, appliances, and consumer electronics.
Budget and mid-range shoppers; innovation enthusiasts seeking foldables and experimental features; users requiring Android flexibility and Samsung's full ecosystem (TVs, appliances, displays)
Quick Answer
AI SummaryApple dominates premium smartphones and tablets with tight hardware-software integration and higher profit margins, while Samsung leads in market share and device diversity with Android flexibility and competitive pricing across more product categories.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Apple if you prioritize ecosystem integration, premium build quality, software longevity (7+ years of updates), and resale value—ideal for users willing to pay premium prices for seamless cross-device experience. Choose Samsung if you need device diversity, competitive pricing at multiple tiers, customization flexibility, or prefer Android's open ecosystem—better for budget-conscious buyers and those requiring specialized hardware like foldable phones.
Was this verdict helpful?
Choose Apple Inc. if
Best pickPremium users prioritizing ecosystem integration, security, and long-term device support; professionals requiring seamless Mac-iPhone-iPad workflows
Choose Samsung Electronics if
Budget and mid-range shoppers; innovation enthusiasts seeking foldables and experimental features; users requiring Android flexibility and Samsung's full ecosystem (TVs, appliances, displays)
Track this comparison
Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.
Triggers: price change new spec verdict update
No spam. Stop anytime.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Global Smartphone Market Share:✓ Samsung Electronics wins(19% (Q4 2025) vs 16% (Q4 2025))
- Operating System Control:✓ Apple Inc. wins(Proprietary iOS on all devices vs Android (licensed, customized as OneUI))
- Average Selling Price (ASP):$963 USD vs $412 USD
Key Facts & Figures
83 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Apple Inc. | Samsung Electronics | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employees(Thousands) | 161,000 | — | — |
| iPhone Average Selling Price(USD) | $799 | — | — |
| Services Gross Margin(Percentage) | 68% | — | — |
| Q4 2025 Net Income(USD Billions) | $42 billion | — | — |
| Enterprise Product Innovation Rating(Stars out of 5) | 4.1★ | — | — |
| Enterprise Product Innovation Review Count(Reviews) | 20,232 reviews | — | — |
| Application Development Platform Rating(Stars out of 5) | 4.7★ | — | — |
| Application Development Review Count(Reviews) | 186 reviews | — | — |
| 2026 New Product Launches(Count) | 15+ devices | — | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Rating(stars (out of 5)) | 4.4 stars | — | — |
| Review Sample Size(reviews) | 275 reviews | — | — |
| Typical Flagship Phone Price(USD) | $999+ | — | — |
| Latest Quarterly Revenue(USD Billion) | $143.76 billion | — | — |
| AI Infrastructure Capex Investment(USD Billion) | $2.37 billion | — | — |
| iPhone Revenue (Latest)(USD Billion) | $85.27 billion (+23.3% YoY) | — | — |
| 10-Year Stock Return(Percent) | 920% | — | — |
| 5G Patents Portfolio(count) | 3,000+ | — | — |
| Average Flagship Smartphone Price(USD) | $799 | — | — |
| Annual R&D Investment(billion USD) | $29.9B | — | — |
| OS Update Support Duration(years) | 7+ | — | — |
| Countries with Market Presence(count) | 150+ | — | — |
| Ecosystem App Availability (Android/iOS equivalent)(apps) | 1.96M apps (App Store) | — | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD Billions) | $391.4B | $230.7B | |
| Market Capitalization(USD Trillions) | $3.5 trillion | — | — |
| Gross Profit Margin(percentage) | 46.2% | 32.1% | |
| Net Income($ billion) | $93.7B | — | — |
| Global Employees(Thousands) | 161K | — | — |
| R&D Spending as % of Revenue(%) | 7.8% | — | — |
| Vehicle/Device Annual Units Sold(millions) | 231M devices | — | — |
| Operating Margin(%) | 30.7% | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (FY 2024)(USD billions) | $391.4B | — | — |
| Market Capitalization (Jan 2026)(USD billions) | $3.5T | — | — |
| Gaming Console Market Share(percent) | 27% (Apple Arcade subscribers: 25M) | — | — |
| Services Revenue Annual(USD billions) | $84.3B (22% of total) | — | — |
| Customer Ecosystem Integration(scale 1-10) | 9.5/10 (fully vertical) | — | — |
| Professional Imaging Market Share(percent) | 8% (emerging with Vision Pro) | — | — |
| Operating Profit Margin (FY 2024)(percent) | 30.1% | — | — |
| Global Smartphone Market Share(Percentage) | 18.2% | 21.8% | |
| Software Support Duration(years) | 7 years | 5 years | |
| iPhone 16 Pro / Galaxy S25 Ultra Display(Hz refresh rate) | 120Hz Super Retina XDR | 120Hz AMOLED Vision | |
| Premium Flagship Price(USD) | $999 | $1,299 | |
| Product Categories Offered(primary categories) | 7 major categories | 15+ major categories | |
| Customer Satisfaction Score(out of 5) | 89/100 | 79/100 | |
| Services Revenue Contribution(percentage of total) | 22% | — | — |
| EV Market Share / Product Category Dominance(percentage) | 56% (smartphone OS) | — | — |
| 10-Year Stock Appreciation(percentage) | 1200% | — | — |
| Smartphone Market Share (Q4 2025)(%) | 16% | 19% | |
| Average Smartphone Selling Price(USD) | $963 | $412 | |
| Operating System Software Updates(years) | 7+ years | 4 years | |
| Annual Revenue (FY2024)(USD Billions) | $391.04B | $223.2B | |
| Product Category Diversity(major categories) | 8 categories | 15+ categories | |
| iPhone 15 Resale Value Retention After 1 Year(%) | 72% | 58% | |
| App Store Malware Prevention Rate(%) | 99.8% | 98.2% | |
| Global Market Share(percent) | 16% | — | — |
| Operating Profit Margin(Percent) | 31.5% | 12.3% | |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $394.3B | $256.4B | |
| Flagship Smartphone Price(USD) | $999 | — | — |
| 5G Patent Portfolio(patents) | 2,800+ | — | — |
| Smartphone OS Update Support(years) | 7 years minimum | — | — |
| App Store Size(applications) | 3.5 million (App Store) | — | — |
| China Smartphone Market Share(%) | 18% | — | — |
| Main Camera Resolution(megapixels) | 200MP (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra) | 200MP (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra) | |
| Software Update Support(years) | 7 years guaranteed | 7 years guaranteed | |
| Flagship Display Size(inches) | 6.9-inch AMOLED (Galaxy S26 Ultra) | 6.9-inch AMOLED (Galaxy S26 Ultra) | |
| Refresh Rate (Flagship)(Hz) | 120Hz AMOLED standard | 120Hz AMOLED standard | |
| Flagship Phone Price (2026)(USD) | $1,400+ (Galaxy S26 Ultra) | $1,400+ (Galaxy S26 Ultra) | |
| Number of Rear Cameras(count) | 4 cameras (Galaxy S26 Ultra) | 4 cameras (Galaxy S26 Ultra) | |
| Starting Price (2025 Models)(USD) | $799 (Galaxy S24) | $799 (Galaxy S24) | |
| OS Update Guarantee(years) | 7 years | 7 years | |
| Maximum Charging Speed (Flagship)(Watts) | 45W (Galaxy S24) | 45W (Galaxy S24) | |
| Global Market Share (Q3 2025)(percent) | 22.3% | 22.3% | |
| Authorized Service Centers Worldwide(count) | 28,000+ | 28,000+ | |
| Average Customer Satisfaction Score(out of 10) | 82% | 82% | |
| Security Patch Support Duration(years) | 7 years | 7 years | |
| Search Engine Market Share(%) | 0% | 0% | |
| R&D Investment (2024)(billion USD) | $24.8B | $24.8B | |
| Global Employee Count(Employees) | 267,000+ | 267,000+ | |
| Smartphone Hardware Market Share (2025)(percent) | 21.8% | 21.8% | |
| Available App Count(million apps) | 3.8 million (same ecosystem) | 3.8 million (same ecosystem) | |
| Major OS Update Guarantee(years of updates) | 4 years for flagship Galaxy devices | 4 years for flagship Galaxy devices | |
| Security Update Commitment(years) | 5 years for Galaxy S-series flagships | 5 years for Galaxy S-series flagships | |
| Minimum Entry Price(USD) | $230-300 (Samsung Galaxy A-series) | $230-300 (Samsung Galaxy A-series) | |
| Device Manufacturer Count(manufacturers) | 1 (Samsung only) | 1 (Samsung only) |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 16% (Q4 2025)Global Smartphone Market Share19% (Q4 2025)(winner)
- Proprietary iOS on all devices(winner)Operating System ControlAndroid (licensed, customized as OneUI)
- $963 USDAverage Selling Price (ASP)$412 USD
- 8 major categories (phones, tablets, watches, laptops, desktops, audio, TV, wearables)Product Category Range15+ major categories (phones, tablets, watches, TVs, displays, semiconductors, appliances, networking)(winner)
- 31.5% (2024)(winner)Operating Profit Margin12.3% (2024)
- $391.04 billion USD (2024)(winner)Annual Revenue$223.2 billion USD (2024)
- Limited (color, storage, RAM combinations)Device Customization OptionsExtensive (Knox security, DeX mode, customizable UI)(winner)
- Global Smartphone Market Share
Apple Inc.
16% (Q4 2025)
Samsung Electronics
19% (Q4 2025)(winner)
- Operating System Control
Apple Inc.
Proprietary iOS on all devices(winner)
Samsung Electronics
Android (licensed, customized as OneUI)
- Average Selling Price (ASP)
Apple Inc.
$963 USD
Samsung Electronics
$412 USD
- Product Category Range
Apple Inc.
8 major categories (phones, tablets, watches, laptops, desktops, audio, TV, wearables)
Samsung Electronics
15+ major categories (phones, tablets, watches, TVs, displays, semiconductors, appliances, networking)(winner)
- Operating Profit Margin
Apple Inc.
31.5% (2024)(winner)
Samsung Electronics
12.3% (2024)
- Annual Revenue
Apple Inc.
$391.04 billion USD (2024)(winner)
Samsung Electronics
$223.2 billion USD (2024)
- Device Customization Options
Apple Inc.
Limited (color, storage, RAM combinations)
Samsung Electronics
Extensive (Knox security, DeX mode, customizable UI)(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Apple Inc. | Samsung Electronics |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation Gaming Console Market Share(Percentage) | N/A | — |
| Gaming Console Market Share(percent) | 27% (Apple Arcade subscribers: 25M) | — |
| Professional Imaging Market Share(percent) | 8% (emerging with Vision Pro) | — |
| Global Smartphone Market Share(Percentage) | 18.2% | 21.8%(winner) |
| EV Market Share / Product Category Dominance(percentage) | 56% (smartphone OS) | — |
Show 6 more attributesSmartphone Market Share (Q4 2025)(%) 16% 19% Global Market Share(percent) 16% — Global Market Share (Q3 2025)(percent) 22.3% — Search Engine Market Share(%) 0% — Global Smartphone OS Market Share(percent) N/A (Samsung is hardware maker, not OS) — Smartphone Hardware Market Share (2025)(percent) 21.8% — | ||
| Total Employees(Thousands) | 161,000 | — |
| Global Employees(Thousands) | 161K | — |
| Vehicle/Device Annual Units Sold(millions) | 231M devices | — |
| iPhone Average Selling Price(USD) | $799 | — |
| Services Gross Margin(Percentage) | 68% | — |
| Q4 2025 Net Income(USD Billions) | $42 billion | — |
| 3-Year Revenue Growth Rate(Percent) | Not specified | — |
| Latest Quarterly Revenue(USD Billion) | $143.76 billion | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD Billions) | $391.4B(winner) | $230.7B |
Show 7 more attributesMarket Capitalization(USD Trillions) $3.5 trillion — Gross Profit Margin(percentage) 46.2% 32.1% Operating Margin(%) 30.7% — Annual Revenue (FY 2024)(USD billions) $391.4B — Operating Profit Margin (FY 2024)(percent) 30.1% — Annual Revenue (FY2024)(USD Billions) $391.04B $223.2B Operating Profit Margin(Percent) 31.5% 12.3% | ||
| Enterprise Product Innovation Rating(Stars out of 5) | 4.1★ | — |
| Enterprise Product Innovation Review Count(Reviews) | 20,232 reviews | — |
| Enterprise Integration Capabilities Rating(Stars out of 5) | Below 5.0★ | — |
| Application Development Platform Rating(Stars out of 5) | 4.7★ | — |
| Application Development Review Count(Reviews) | 186 reviews | — |
| 2026 New Product Launches(Count) | 15+ devices | — |
| Customer Ecosystem Integration(scale 1-10) | 9.5/10 (fully vertical) | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Rating(stars (out of 5)) | 4.4 stars | — |
| Review Sample Size(reviews) | 275 reviews | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Score(out of 5) | 89/100(winner) | 79/100 |
| Maps Service Market Position | Emerging competitor with new features (multi-stop, cycling nav) | — |
| Cross-Device Compatibility | Limited to Apple ecosystem | — |
| App Store Size(applications) | 3.5 million (App Store) | — |
| Available App Count(million apps) | 3.8 million (same ecosystem) | — |
| RCS Encryption with Competitor (2026) | End-to-end encryption enabled (iOS 26.5+) | — |
| App Store Malware Prevention Rate(%) | 99.8%(winner) | 98.2% |
| Data Privacy Approach | Minimal collection; on-device processing prioritized | — |
| AI Development Direction (2026) | Privacy-preserving on-device AI processing | — |
| Annual R&D Investment(billion USD) | $29.9B | — |
| Typical Flagship Phone Price(USD) | $999+ | — |
| AI Infrastructure Capex Investment(USD Billion) | $2.37 billion | — |
| Cloud Platform Growth Rate(Percent Year-over-Year) | Services-focused (not specified) | — |
| Commercial Remaining Performance Obligations(USD Billion) | Not disclosed as separate metric | — |
| iPhone Revenue (Latest)(USD Billion) | $85.27 billion (+23.3% YoY) | — |
| 10-Year Stock Return(Percent) | 920% | — |
| 10-Year Stock Appreciation(percentage) | 1200% | — |
| Trailing 12-Month Revenue Growth (3-Year Period)(Percent) | Not specified | — |
| 5G Patents Portfolio(count) | 3,000+ | — |
| Average Flagship Smartphone Price(USD) | $799 | — |
| Premium Flagship Price(USD) | $999(winner) | $1,299 |
| Average Smartphone Selling Price(USD) | $963 | $412(winner) |
| Flagship Smartphone Price(USD) | $999 | — |
| Starting Price (2025 Models)(USD) | $799 (Galaxy S24) | — |
| OS Update Support Duration(years) | 7+ | — |
| Operating System Software Updates(years) | 7+ years(winner) | 4 years |
| Smartphone OS Update Support(years) | 7 years minimum | — |
| OS Update Guarantee(years) | 7 years | — |
| Security Patch Support Duration(years) | 7 years | — |
Show 2 more attributesMajor OS Update Guarantee(years of updates) 4 years for flagship Galaxy devices — Security Update Commitment(years) 5 years for Galaxy S-series flagships — | ||
| Countries with Market Presence(count) | 150+ | — |
| Ecosystem App Availability (Android/iOS equivalent)(apps) | 1.96M apps (App Store) | — |
| Net Income($ billion) | $93.7B | — |
| R&D Spending as % of Revenue(%) | 7.8% | — |
| R&D Investment (2024)(billion USD) | $24.8B | — |
| Market Capitalization (Jan 2026)(USD billions) | $3.5T | — |
| Services Revenue Annual(USD billions) | $84.3B (22% of total) | — |
| Software Support Duration(years) | 7 years(winner) | 5 years |
| iPhone 16 Pro / Galaxy S25 Ultra Display(Hz refresh rate) | 120Hz Super Retina XDR | 120Hz AMOLED Vision |
| Product Categories Offered(primary categories) | 7 major categories | 15+ major categories(winner) |
| Services Revenue Contribution(percentage of total) | 22% | — |
| Product Category Diversity(major categories) | 8 categories | 15+ categories(winner) |
| iPhone 15 Resale Value Retention After 1 Year(%) | 72%(winner) | 58% |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $394.3B | $256.4B |
| 5G Patent Portfolio(patents) | 2,800+ | — |
| China Smartphone Market Share(%) | 18% | — |
| Main Camera Resolution(megapixels) | 200MP (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra) | — |
| Number of Rear Cameras(count) | 4 cameras (Galaxy S26 Ultra) | — |
| Software Update Support(years) | 7 years guaranteed | — |
| Flagship Display Size(inches) | 6.9-inch AMOLED (Galaxy S26 Ultra) | — |
| Display Resolution(pixels) | 3120x1440 (Galaxy S26 Ultra) | — |
| Refresh Rate (Flagship)(Hz) | 120Hz AMOLED standard | — |
| Display Type (Flagship) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2992x1344 | — |
| Flagship Phone Price (2026)(USD) | $1,400+ (Galaxy S26 Ultra) | — |
| Market Share (Global)(percent) | #2 phone brand in US market | — |
| Maximum Charging Speed (Flagship)(Watts) | 45W (Galaxy S24) | — |
| Authorized Service Centers Worldwide(count) | 28,000+ | — |
| Average Customer Satisfaction Score(out of 10) | 82% | — |
| Active Android Users (Google)(Billions) | N/A | — |
| Global Employee Count(Employees) | 267,000+ | — |
| YouTube Monthly Active Users(Billions) | N/A | — |
| Minimum Entry Price(USD) | $230-300 (Samsung Galaxy A-series) | — |
| Device Manufacturer Count(manufacturers) | 1 (Samsung only) | — |
| Customization Depth(capability level) | Medium: One UI customization limited to Samsung's framework | — |
Apple Inc.Samsung ElectronicsShow 6 more attributes
Show 7 more attributes
Show 2 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Apple Inc.
Pros
- Vertical integration delivers seamless cross-device synchronization (iCloud, Handoff, Universal Clipboard)
- 7+ years of software updates guarantee longest device lifespan in industry
- Premium build quality with aerospace-grade aluminum and Gorilla Glass Ceramic Shield
- Industry-leading resale values—iPhone 15 retains 72% value after 1 year
- Superior App Store curation with 99.8% malware prevention rate
Cons
- Price premium: iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999, 142% higher than Samsung Galaxy S24
- Limited hardware customization and no expandable storage across product line
- Restricted to proprietary connectors and accessories, increasing lifetime costs
Samsung Electronics
Pros
- 19% global smartphone market share with presence in every price segment ($150-$1,400)
- Innovation leadership: First to mass-produce 200MP sensors, 1440p 120Hz displays, and foldable phones
- Samsung Knox security platform with real-time threat detection and 5-layer security architecture
- DeX mode transforms Galaxy phones into desktop-class computing with external display
- Largest display manufacturer globally (32% market share), enabling cutting-edge panel technology
Cons
- Software fragmentation: 4 years of updates vs Apple's 7+, leading to faster obsolescence
- OneUI bloatware reduces usable storage by 20-30GB on flagship models; difficult to uninstall
- Lower average profitability on devices limits R&D investment per unit compared to Apple
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Samsung leads with 19% global smartphone market share compared to Apple's 16% in Q4 2025. However, Apple dominates in premium segment (phones over $800) with 58% market share, while Samsung excels in mid-range ($400-$700) with 34% share.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more about our affiliate disclosure
Wikipedia
- W
Apple Inc. on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Premium technology company specializing in integrated hardware-software ecosystem across phones, tablets, computers, and wearables.
- W
Samsung Electronics on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Diversified global technology conglomerate manufacturing smartphones, displays, semiconductors, appliances, and consumer electronics.
Related Comparisons
12 more to explore
Related Articles
5 articles
- technology
Best Streaming Services in 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget & Interest
Navigating the crowded streaming landscape in 2026 can be overwhelming. We've tested and ranked the best streaming services that offer the most value, from Netflix's massive library to budget-friendly options like Tubi, helping you cut cable and find your perfect entertainment solution.
Read article - technology
Best Live TV Streaming Services & Plans for Spring 2026: Complete Buyer's Guide
Tired of overpaying for cable? Discover the best live TV streaming services and plans for Spring 2026, including YouTube TV's new genre-based packages starting at $55/month. Our comprehensive guide breaks down pricing, channels, and features to help you cut the cord.
Read article - technology
Philo in 2026: Streaming TV Service Review, Pricing & Reddit Community Insights
Explore Philo's evolution heading into 2026, including pricing tiers, channel lineup, and how it compares to competitors like Sling TV. Discover what the r/PhiloTV Reddit community thinks about the service's current offerings and future prospects.
Read article - technology
Best US Fighter Jets 2026: Top American Combat Aircraft Ranked
Discover the most advanced US fighter jets dominating the skies in 2026. From the legendary F-22 Raptor to the versatile F-35 Lightning II, we rank America's best combat aircraft based on performance, stealth, and air superiority capabilities.
Read article - technology
Philo in 2026: Pricing, Lineup & How It Compares to Sling TV
As we head into 2026, Philo continues to position itself as an affordable streaming alternative for cable TV lovers. Discover what Philo offers, how its pricing stacks up against competitors like Sling TV, and what the Reddit community thinks about its future.
Read article
Explore More
Related comparisons and categories