{"id":353563,"date":"2025-08-18T06:49:18","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T06:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/353563\/"},"modified":"2025-08-18T06:49:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T06:49:18","slug":"the-rise-of-samsung-why-apple-is-losing-ground-in-the-smartphone-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/353563\/","title":{"rendered":"The Rise of Samsung: Why Apple Is Losing Ground in the Smartphone War"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"f8132510-b381-4845-be41-eab8a7249e51\">The rising demand for <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/best-picks\/best-foldable-phones\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/best-picks\/best-foldable-phones\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the best foldable phones<\/a> is great for Samsung and not so great for Apple. Now, a new report shows Samsung is eating into Apple&#8217;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\u2019s market share in the U.S. fell from 56% to 49%, while Samsung\u2019s share surged from 23% to 31%, according to data from <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.canalys.com\/newsroom\/global-smartphone-market-q2-2025\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.canalys.com\/newsroom\/global-smartphone-market-q2-2025\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" rel=\"noopener\">Canalys<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>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&#8217;s second-quarter improvement hinged on its more affordable Galaxy A series, like the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/samsung-phones\/samsung-galaxy-a36-review-this-budget-phone-still-has-room-for-improvement\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/samsung-phones\/samsung-galaxy-a36-review-this-budget-phone-still-has-room-for-improvement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Galaxy A36<\/a>. That just goes to show that the race for <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/best-picks\/best-cheap-phones\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/best-picks\/best-cheap-phones\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the best cheap phones<\/a> is heating up alongside rising prices. Samsung&#8217;s premium offerings, particularly the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-review\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-7-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Galaxy Z Fold 7<\/a> and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/samsung-phones\/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-7-hands-on-review-feels-like-flip-phone-perfection\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/samsung-phones\/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-7-hands-on-review-feels-like-flip-phone-perfection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Z Flip 7<\/a> that debuted last month, have also gained plenty of traction on social media for their surprising durability and value.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\" data-url=\"\" href=\"\" data-hl-processed=\"none\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"f8132510-b381-4845-be41-eab8a7249e51-2\">Canalys credits Samsung&#8217;s record Q2 growth to its strategy of &#8220;smart volume,&#8221; a focus on offering a wider range of products at different price levels compared to Apple&#8217;s line-up. Samsung&#8217;s Galaxy and Z phone lineups start at $650 (for the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/samsung-phones\/galaxy-s24-fe-launches-at-dollar649-triple-cameras-exynos-chip-and-galaxy-ai-features\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/samsung-phones\/galaxy-s24-fe-launches-at-dollar649-triple-cameras-exynos-chip-and-galaxy-ai-features\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Galaxy S24 FE<\/a>) and go up to $2,400 (for the 1TB storage option Galaxy Z Fold 7).<\/p>\n<p>You may like<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;That is a massive span of devices,\u201d Canalys analyst Runar Bjorhovde <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/amp\/rcna225435\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/amp\/rcna225435\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" rel=\"noopener\">told NBC News<\/a>. \u201cThere is an idea that you can target people at every single price point, and you can meet them at every spot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-f56aff61-8372-49f8-b5aa-126b465b6d21\" data-url=\"\" href=\"\" data-hl-processed=\"none\"\/>All eyes are on Apple&#8217;s fall product launch<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/3CMJvLJs9ho3cbmABAZTzR.jpg\" alt=\"iPhone 16 on display\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/3CMJvLJs9ho3cbmABAZTzR.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/3CMJvLJs9ho3cbmABAZTzR.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p id=\"6d94cb03-8954-4cd2-8028-c3c67657fd44\">Though the overall U.S. smartphone market barely grew during the same period, up to 27.1 million units compared to last year&#8217;s 26.7 million, Samsung enjoyed the strongest performance of any phonemaker. The company shipped 8.3 million units in Q2 2025, a 38% increase year over year. Apple, on the other hand, saw shipments fall by 11% to 13.3 million units, down from 14.9 million a year ago.<\/p>\n<p>Apple still holds the crown for most smartphone sales in the U.S., but for the first time in over a decade, its position is beginning to look shaky on its home turf. The last time we saw Samsung seriously challenge Apple&#8217;s top spot was back in 2014, when the Korean smartphone manufacturer embraced big-screen phones and phablets while Apple was still dragging its feet.<\/p>\n<p>Consumer preference isn&#8217;t the only thing fueling the market share shift, though. As Canalys notes, &#8220;Samsung\u2019s performance in Q2 was boosted by frontloading of inventory into the U.S. amid tariff concerns,&#8221; one of several strategies smartphone makers used to minimize the impact of Trump&#8217;s tariffs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.<\/p>\n<p>If Apple wants to regain its standing in the U.S. market, it&#8217;ll have to pull out all the stops at its <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/iphones\/apple-iphone-17-event-rumored-date-and-all-the-new-products-expected-to-launch\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/iphones\/apple-iphone-17-event-rumored-date-and-all-the-new-products-expected-to-launch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iPhone 17 event this September<\/a>. This year promises a big shake-up for the iPhone lineup, with the Plus model expected to be replaced by the super-thin <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/iphones\/iphone-17-air-rumors-everything-we-know-so-far\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/iphones\/iphone-17-air-rumors-everything-we-know-so-far\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">iPhone 17 Air<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The iPhone 17 Air is a direct competitor to the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/samsung-phones\/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-review\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.tomsguide.com\/phones\/samsung-phones\/samsung-galaxy-s25-edge-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Galaxy S25 Edge<\/a>, Samsung&#8217;s thinnest phone yet, but it may not be enough to change Apple&#8217;s fortunes. <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.counterpointresearch.com\/en\/insights\/us-smartphone-sell-through-up-9-yoy-in-q2-2025\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.counterpointresearch.com\/en\/insights\/us-smartphone-sell-through-up-9-yoy-in-q2-2025\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" rel=\"noopener\">Counterpoint Research<\/a>, a research firm that estimates smartphone sales, found Samsung only saw a &#8220;slight year-over-year boost&#8221; in sales after the S25 Edge was released in May. If consumers are as blas\u00e9 about the Air as they were about the Edge, Apple&#8217;s going to be in trouble.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6fdc4b49-5a8c-46cf-97f0-e41b1f24cdb7\">Follow <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqKAgKIiJDQklTRXdnTWFnOEtEWFJ2YlhObmRXbGtaUzVqYjIwb0FBUAE?hl=en-US&amp;gl=US&amp;ceid=US%3Aen\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqKAgKIiJDQklTRXdnTWFnOEtEWFJ2YlhObmRXbGtaUzVqYjIwb0FBUAE?hl=en-US&amp;gl=US&amp;ceid=US%3Aen\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" rel=\"noopener\">Tom&#8217;s Guide on Google News<\/a> to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-more-from-tom-s-guide\" data-url=\"\" href=\"\" data-hl-processed=\"none\"\/>More from Tom&#8217;s Guide<a id=\"elk-9b14597e-aaec-475a-ad72-e7e222d7430e\" data-url=\"\" href=\"\" data-hl-processed=\"none\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/search-api.fie.futurecdn.net\/img\/misc\/chevron-left.svg\" alt=\"Arrow\" title=\"Arrow\" class=\"hawk-lazy-image-chevron-left\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"15\" height=\"15\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Back to Mobile Cell Phones<\/p>\n<p>SORT BYPrice (low to high)Price (high to low)Product Name (A to Z)Product Name (Z to A)Retailer name (A to Z)Retailer name (Z to A)<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/arrow_down.png\" alt=\"Arrow\" title=\"Arrow\" class=\"hawk-lazy-image-filter-arrow\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Show more<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The rising demand for the best foldable phones is great for Samsung and not so great for Apple.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":353564,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3159],"tags":[547,53,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-353563","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mobile","8":"tag-mobile","9":"tag-technology","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115048439239809112","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/353563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=353563"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/353563\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/353564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=353563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=353563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=353563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}