Why Apple Is Losing Ground in the Smartphone War

[CatCage]

The Rise of Samsung: Why Apple Is Losing Ground in the Smartphone War

 

The rising demand for the best foldable phones is great for Samsung and not so great for Apple. Now, a new report shows Samsung is eating into Apple's market lead in the U.S. after the iPhone maker saw a rare double-digit dip last quarter. In the second quarter of 2025, Apple’s market share in the U.S. fell from 56% to 49%, while Samsung’s share surged from 23% to 31%, according to data from Canalys.

 

That means Samsung managed to close the market share gap between it and Apple from 33% a year ago to 18% last quarter. Much of Samsung's second-quarter improvement hinged on its more affordable Galaxy A series, like the Galaxy A36. That just goes to show that the race for the best cheap phones is heating up alongside rising prices. Samsung's premium offerings, particularly the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 that debuted last month, have also gained plenty of traction on social media for their surprising durability and value.

 

Canalys credits Samsung's record Q2 growth to its strategy of "smart volume," a focus on offering a wider range of products at different price levels compared to Apple's line-up. Samsung's Galaxy and Z phone lineups start at $650 (for the Galaxy S24 FE) and go up to $2,400 (for the 1TB storage option Galaxy Z Fold 7).

 

More:

https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/apples-smartphone-market-share-plummets-as-samsung-surges-heres-why

[impulse]

I've been perfectly happy with my $175 Samsung A05s for well over a year.  I can buy a very serviceable Samsung today for $150.  I don't think I can touch a new IPhone for that price.  And once you're up over around $200, I've found that the features on offer just don't justify the higher price.  Of course, that's mostly down to personal preference.

 

I'd be more focused on margin dollars than sheer volume.  My guess is that Apple still makes more money on a smaller volume and even a shrinking market share.  Gotta hand it to them.  They're great at separating customers from their money.  Even after the sale when they rake in subscriptions.

 

 

[3NUMBAS]

Prices to high

[Mike_Hunt]

Apple is no longer innovative. 

[Peter Crow]

Salivating for the 17 Pro. Will give a new life to my photography...

[josephbloggs]

14 minutes ago, Mike_Hunt said:

Apple is no longer innovative. 

After the iPhone 4 I jumped to Android (Samsung) and it was leaps and bounds ahead. Had several Samsungs. Was convinced to go back to Apple when I got the 14 ProMax. Regretted it. I still have it but whenever it is time to renew I am definitely going back to Samsung unless Apple comes out with something extraordinary......and that is unlikely.

And Apple are a grubby company. My daughter (16) just did a trip back to the UK and got water on her iPhone 13 (supposed to be water resistant) when a bottle of water in her bag wasn't sealed properly. She went to an Apple store and they told her £425 (18,700 baht) to fix it so told her to forget it. Got it fixed here when she got back for 4,000 baht - new screen and new battery by Dr Smartphone.

I love their computers and can't ever imagine not using Macs. But iPhones are just not that great any more. No innovation, just more of the same. Siri is useless and their AI is terrible.

[NickyLouie]

7 minutes ago, Peter Crow said:

Salivating for the 17 Pro. Will give a new life to my photography...

 

Google Pixel better camera 

 

Apple Weak AF and overpriced 

[Peter Crow]

6 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

She went to an Apple store and they told her £425 (18,700 baht) to fix it so told her to forget it.

That's what Apple care is for. She would have walked away with a new (or refurb) phone. Got one Iphone and two Ipads replaced, on the spot.

[gk10012001]

Have had a Motorola G7 Power since 2021.  Paid 250 all in as I recall. It Does everything I need.  I load a few apps now and then from the play store.  I do use Maps often as I travel and drive in places new to me in the USA.  Voice, text, chat, can access the internet.  One Etrade banking app I install and then uninstall once I remote deposit checks I get now and then.  My usage is minimal so I do not need anything more.  Others may need or want more.  But the price for Apple IPhones to me just seems unjustified.

[EVENKEEL]

5 hours ago, impulse said:

I've been perfectly happy with my $175 Samsung A05s for well over a year.  I can buy a very serviceable Samsung today for $150.  I don't think I can touch a new IPhone for that price.  And once you're up over around $200, I've found that the features on offer just don't justify the higher price.  Of course, that's mostly down to personal preference.

 

I'd be more focused on margin dollars than sheer volume.  My guess is that Apple still makes more money on a smaller volume and even a shrinking market share.  Gotta hand it to them.  They're great at separating customers from their money.  Even after the sale when they rake in subscriptions.

 

 

I have the same one for Thai sim, sure it's OK but the camera is unsat. My galaxy 21 for US sim has a fantastic camera.

[Cameroni]

The fact is that many "no name" Chinese manufacturers make phones that far surpass the best Apple makes. For instance Vivo's Xfold Pro 5 is vastly better than the Apple flagship. The best camera and video phone now is the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. The Samsung Fold 7 is better than anything by Apple. So is the 25 Ultra

 

To cap it all the Samsung eco system is now far superior to Apple's.

 

No wonder Apple is losing the smartphone competition.

[Schoggibueb]

My mobiles, regardless wich brand, never broke down really. A new battery here in Thailand 4-500bht for an Iphone.

My last exchange was because of my bank in europe. Wasn't able to log on to yme-banking anymore, as the IOS didn't update (too ols device). But the cost every 6-8 years for a new mobile is in the budget.

 

No big worries. Just a bit a shame that a working device has to be replaced for "nothing".

[proton]

Samsung make good Tv's and vacuum cleaners, that's about it. Bought one of their phones 3 years ago, rubbish out of the box crashed all the time and could not even re start it. Much as I hate to admit it Chinese phones are far better than Samsung. Honor 200 at the mo, great camera.

[msbkk]

12 minutes ago, proton said:

Samsung make good Tv's and vacuum cleaners, that's about it. Bought one of their phones 3 years ago, rubbish out of the box crashed all the time and could not even re start it. Much as I hate to admit it Chinese phones are far better than Samsung. Honor 200 at the mo, great camera.

I am using Samsung phones since the beginning, never had any problem. You have to buy the original brand ones directly from Samsung shops or reputable dealers.

[GammaGlobulin]

The reason Apple is losing ground in almost every sector is due to the poor planning, and maybe greed, of the COOK, Tim.

Unfortunately, Tim Cook seems to have spoiled Apple's pot.

 

There is a great YT video regarding this factor, about Greed and Apple.

And, so true.

Many of us realized this, many years ago.

 

[proton]

2 minutes ago, msbkk said:

I am using Samsung phones since the beginning, never had any problem. You have to buy the original brand ones directly from Samsung shops or reputable dealers.

 

I did, I never had a heart attack but don't doubt it happens

[Cameroni]

The Vivo Xfold Pro 5 is an absolute world class phone. 

 

Nothing Apple has comes even close.

[connda]

Overpriced.

[shdmn]

Still lots of Apple lemmings around willing to stand in line for hours to get the next iPhone once a year.  I never have and probably never will own an Apple product.  I was considering getting a used iPhone last year but after looking at prices, used Samsung Galaxy S phones offered better value.

 

[shdmn]

2 hours ago, Peter Crow said:

That's what Apple care is for. She would have walked away with a new (or refurb) phone. Got one Iphone and two Ipads replaced, on the spot.

And what has that cost you over the years, or you do you not understand how that works and are you trying to pretend Apple is in the business of losing money?

[unblocktheplanet]

21 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

Got it fixed here when she got back for 4,000 baht - new screen and new battery by Dr Smartphone

Dr MacBook has saved my bacon more than once, too! AppleCare is a pale shadow of its past glory. I'll keep using my iPhone 5c...

[josephbloggs]

4 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Dr MacBook has saved my bacon more than once, too! AppleCare is a pale shadow of its past glory. I'll keep using my iPhone 5c...

Yeah, Dr Macbook is amazing, they are so good, so knowledgable, so open and fair, and always a pleasure to deal with. Can't fault them at all. 

They have sent me away from there before with a solution/workaround to my problem that didn't involve any of their services as it wouldn't have been good value. Can't recommend them highly enough, and their Google reviews back it up. Great company.

[shdmn]

23 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

Yeah, Dr Macbook is amazing, they are so good, so knowledgable, so open and fair, and always a pleasure to deal with. Can't fault them at all. 

They have sent me away from there before with a solution/workaround to my problem that didn't involve any of their services as it wouldn't have been good value. Can't recommend them highly enough, and their Google reviews back it up. Great company.

I would take any online reviews in Thailand with a grain of salt.  Slander laws in Thailand and inexpensive services that will leave fake postitive reviews make them very unreliable.  I've quite often been very disappointed with services from places with lots of positive reviews.  I've also had negative reviews deleted from this and other sites.

[josephbloggs]

42 minutes ago, shdmn said:

I would take any online reviews in Thailand with a grain of salt.  Slander laws in Thailand and inexpensive services that will leave fake postitive reviews make them very unreliable.  I've quite often been very disappointed with services from places with lots of positive reviews.  I've also had negative reviews deleted from this and other sites.

Well at least two of their Google reviews are mine. 

I know what you are saying, but believe it or not you can leave a negative review in Thailand if it is balanced and fair. I have done so myself even on the Koh Chang hotel that was in the news for suing a reviewer - it was balanced and they responded to me - but there is always more to those stories.

Anyway, veering off topic. I can personally vouch for the reviews of Dr Macbook having used them several times. And if you look they do have negative reviews too but they respond to them, so they are genuine.

I am not their salesperson, I just mentioned them in passing in regard to Apple being grubby and gave an example. It doesn't bother me wherever people want to get their repairs done. 

[unblocktheplanet]

I've had seriously GREAT service from Dr Macbook since they opened on Soi 33. Like Joseph, they've often done work for me for free and offered pointers for others. Can't praise them enough.

 

Personally, I'd prefer not to disrupt others' rice-and-fishsauce with bad reviews. Tell them in person and they'll have a chance to fix your issue.