iPhone 13 still rules, but Samsung's new threat could shatter Apple's grip on the market

Economic Times

4 hours ago

Apple market share vs Samsung market share 2025: A recent report indicates that a significant 16.3% of iPhone users still use the iPhone 13, suggesting consumers prioritize value over frequent upgrades. Consequently, Apple's market share has seen a decline, with Samsung experiencing growth, particularly in the US due to its diverse pricing options and popular foldable phones.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Apple Fans Aren't Rushing to Upgrade iPhones
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Apple's Market Share Stalls as Samsung Surges Worldwide
Wider Pricing Options Give Samsung the Edge
Apple Faces Innovation Pressure Amid Rising Competition
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
FAQs
: Apple's commonly owned iPhone today is not the latest version, it's the iPhone 13, which was released back in 2021, as per a report. That says a lot about how consumers perceive value in upgrading, as it amounts to tweaks rather than overhauls, according to The Street report.ALSO READ: Leaked: iPhone 17 Pro Max internal design shows game-changing metal battery, hints at big redesign Based on recent figures from Telemetry, 16.3% of all iPhone users in existence are using iPhone 13s, reported The Street. Even with new iPhones arriving annually, users seem reluctant to upgrade, likely due to the fact that the latest models don't feel like game-changers, as per the report. That level of sticking to older phones is setting the stage for competition, primarily, Samsung, according to The Street.During the second quarter of 2025, Apple shipped 44.8 million iPhones, down 2% from the same period last year. Samsung shipped 57.5 million phones, a 7% increase year over year, as per The Street report.ALSO READ: Social security windfall: Retirees could see up to $5,108 deposited this week - who qualifies for the payout That increase has moved Samsung to the top in world market share, while Apple's share remained unchanged at 16%, Samsung increased to 20%, reported The Street.The difference is even more stark in the US, Apple's home market share fell from 56% to 49%, while Samsung surged from 23% to 31%, according to the report. That momentum is largely due to high demand for Samsung's new foldables, such as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which reportedly had 25% more preorders than any of its predecessors, as per The Street report. Samsung reports sales of the Fold 7 are close to 50% ahead of its last model, according to the report.ALSO READ: Meet Nick Molnar: The man behind Afterpay's buy now, pay later platform, who sold it for $29 billion A key reason Samsung is making headway is that it has a wide range of products at various price points, as per The Street. Senior Analyst at Omdia, Aaron West said that 'Samsung has refocused its strategy on 'smart volume,' aiming to profitably scale its mass market Galaxy A series while continuing to grow its premium models," as quoted in the report.For instance, Galaxy A36 begins at $399.99, whereas the high-end Galaxy S35 costs $799.99, those options allow Samsung to cater to more customers, according to The Street.IDC Client Devices Vice President Francisco Jeronimo said that, 'Samsung was able to consolidate its market leadership and outperform the overall market, achieving strong growth in the quarter driven by the sales of its new Galaxy A36 and A56 products,' as quoted in the report. Jeronimo added, 'These new products introduce AI-enabled features to mid-range devices, which have been effectively used in retail stores to drive sales, as more consumers become curious about AI,' as quoted in The Street report.ALSO READ: Is Google's AI revolution a threat to website traffic for digital publishers? Here are strategies to stay ahead When Apple was led by founder Steve Jobs, it was known for a period of innovation that included the launch of the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, according to the report. But, since CEO Tim Cook took over, the tech giant has made fewer big splashes, instead focusing on smaller tweaks like better cameras rather than any massive changes, as per The Street.The popularly considered major iPhone launches include the iPhone 6 in 2014, which had a larger screen, and the iPhone X, which had an edge-to-edge display, according to the report. But after that, there have been changes under the hood with more powerful chips, but nothing has changed dramatically enough to cause a massive rush by Apple loyalists to upgrade, as reported by The Street.The lack of innovation contradicts Apple's long-time reputation for reshaping design and how consumers use and interact with its devices, according to the report. The recent iPhone also look very similar to the previous generations, and the company has yet to launch a foldable display like Samsung's, reported The Street. Even Apple's Intelligence features are not as up to the mark compared to Google's Gemini, found in Samsung smartphones running on Android, reported The Street.ALSO READ: 10 must-change iOS 18.6 settings that'll make your iPhone feel like day one again Roughly 16.3% of iPhone users, according to Telemetry data.Yes, especially in the US, where Samsung's share rose to 31% while Apple's fell to 49%.