When comparing Samsung and Apple, size can be measured in different ways. Market share, for example, shows how many people buy each company’s products, with Samsung usually selling more mobile phones than Apple. However, Apple sells fewer phones at higher profit margins, meaning it makes more money from each sale.
Both companies have a solid lineup of products, where each has its strengths. Apple’s iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks are quite popular, often outpacing the sales of Samsung’s competing products like Galaxy phones, Galaxy Tabs, and Galaxy Books. This popularity could be due to Apple’s strong brand and the seamless integration of its devices.
Profit is a crucial factor too. With its premium pricing strategy, Apple sometimes earns more profit per device than Samsung does. This strategy allows Apple to thrive financially even with a smaller market share compared to Samsung. While the number of units sold is important, the profits they bring in offer a more nuanced picture of a company’s size and success.
Is Samsung Bigger Than Apple Now?
The rivalry between Samsung and Apple continues to define the global tech landscape. But “bigger” can mean several things — market share, revenue, profitability, or brand value. Let’s break it down by each major category.
1. 📊 Global Smartphone Market Share
According to recent 2025 reports from Canalys and PhoneArena, Samsung currently leads the global smartphone market in terms of shipments.
- Samsung: ~21% global market share
- Apple: ~20% global market share
In Q1 2025, Samsung overtook Apple as the top smartphone shipper worldwide (source: PhoneArena).
By Q2 2025, Samsung also gained ground in the U.S. market, rising from 23% to 31%, while Apple’s share dropped from 56% to 49% — the first major shift in over a decade (source: Analytics Insight).
Why Samsung is gaining:
- Strong demand for foldable Galaxy Z series devices.
- Broader product range across price tiers.
- Aggressive marketing in emerging markets.
Why Apple is slipping slightly:
- Slower upgrade cycles for iPhone users.
- Economic pressures affecting premium phone sales.
📈 Verdict: Samsung currently leads in smartphone shipments and market share.
2. 💰 Revenue and Profitability
While Samsung sells more phones, Apple remains far more profitable.
| Metric (2025 est.) | Samsung Electronics | Apple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Revenue | ~$240 billion | ~$380 billion |
| Net Profit | ~$35 billion | ~$100 billion |
| Market Cap | ~$450 billion | ~$2.7 trillion |
(source: NerdyTechBlog)
Apple’s business model relies heavily on high-margin products (iPhones, Macs, AirPods) and services (App Store, iCloud, Apple TV+), while Samsung operates across multiple lower-margin sectors — from memory chips to displays and appliances.
📈 Verdict: Apple is still bigger financially and by market value.
3. 🏭 Product Ecosystem and Innovation
Samsung Strengths:
- Industry leader in display and semiconductor technology.
- Pioneered foldable smartphones (Galaxy Z Fold and Flip).
- Expanding AI integration with Galaxy AI and One UI 7.
Apple Strengths:
- Deeply integrated hardware-software ecosystem (iPhone, Mac, Watch, Vision Pro).
- Leading in wearables and services revenue.
- Focused on privacy, ecosystem lock-in, and AR/VR innovation (Vision Pro).
📈 Verdict: Samsung leads in hardware innovation breadth; Apple leads in ecosystem depth.
4. 🌍 Brand Value and Influence
According to Interbrand’s 2025 rankings:
- Apple remains the #1 most valuable brand in the world, valued at over $530 billion.
- Samsung ranks #5, valued around $90 billion.
Apple’s brand loyalty and premium perception continue to outperform all competitors globally.
📈 Verdict: Apple remains the stronger brand.
5. 🧩 Summary: Who’s “Bigger” Depends on What You Measure
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Global Smartphone Market Share | Samsung | Higher shipments in 2025 |
| U.S. Market Share | Apple (narrowly) | Still dominant, but shrinking |
| Revenue | Apple | Higher total sales |
| Profit | Apple | Much higher margins |
| Innovation | Samsung | Foldables, displays, chips |
| Brand Value | Apple | World’s most valuable brand |
🏁 Final Verdict (2025)
✅ Samsung is currently bigger than Apple in smartphone market share,
❌ but Apple remains the larger company overall — in revenue, profit, and brand power.
In short:
Samsung wins in volume. Apple wins in value.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung sells more phones, but Apple earns more per device.
- Apple’s products, like iPads and MacBooks, are highly popular.
- A company’s size can be measured through market share or profits.
Company Overview and Market Position
Samsung and Apple stand as titans in the technology sector, each with a history of innovation and a diverse portfolio of products. They influence the market through their financial might, global presence, and the perceptions consumers hold of them.
Company Histories and Core Businesses
Samsung, a South Korean conglomerate, began as a trading company in 1938. It ventured into electronics in the 1960s with products like TVs and entered the mobile phone market in the late 1980s. Apple, founded in 1976 in the United States, revolutionized personal computing with the introduction of the Macintosh. It later transformed the music industry with the iPod, the mobile phone market with the iPhone, and tablet computing with the iPad.
Financial Performance and Size Comparison
Apple Inc.
- Market Capitalization: $2 trillion
- Revenue: Not specified
Samsung Electronics Co.
- Market Capitalization: $300 billion
- Revenue: Not specified
Apple boasts a larger market capitalization than Samsung, indicating a higher value as perceived by investors. Both companies enjoy a solid financial performance though Apple has historically had a higher net profit margin.
Product Range and Diversification
Apple’s product range centers on its flagship iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers, with a focus on integrating software and hardware. Additionally, it caters to the wearable and services markets.
Samsung has a broader diversification, producing not only smartphones like the Galaxy series but also a wide array of consumer electronics including TVs, home appliances, and components such as displays and semiconductors.
Global Market Reach and Presence
Despite their different origins, Apple and Samsung have a sweeping presence in the global market. Samsung leads in global smartphone shipments, while Apple remains dominant in the US and has a significant share of the Chinese market. Through their brands, both companies have a sturdy global footprint, although their sales are skewed towards the wealthier parts of the world.
Brand Value and Consumer Perception
Brand value is immense for both corporations, with consumers often perceiving them as the creators of the best phones in the market. Apple is known for its design and high-end consumer perception, while Samsung is seen as offering a range of products that cater to various consumer needs.
Strategic Partnerships and Competitions
Strategic partnerships, especially in the component sector, where Samsung supplies parts such as screens and processors for various Apple products, highlight a complex relationship between competition and collaboration. Each release of an iPhone or Galaxy device prompts comparisons, and their competition continues to drive innovation in the smartphone industry.
