History of iPhone vs. Samsung

There's Mac vs. PC, there's Coke® vs. Pepsi®, and there's iPhone® vs. Samsung®. The heated rivalry between these two companies has been going on for more than a decade, as new Samsung phone models and Apple iPhones have each introduced impressive technological innovations. producing some of the most impressive electronics of the 21st century, with a vast range of advanced technologies making their way into our pockets.

Apple iPhone Advantages

Apple isn't the industry leader for nothing; its phones have great software, excellent cameras, and a tight ecosystem of unique devices that all benefit from being used together. Together with Apple's proprietary iOS operating system, iPhone provides a consistent and carefully curated experience.

The Apple Ecosystem

Apple has taken great measures to create a tight, integrated ecosystem of devices. While Android phones tend to be competitive in quality and popularity, there's no competition when it comes to supplementary devices like the Apple Watch. Apple's MacBooks, tablets, earbuds, and Apple Watches easily outsell comparable Android devices.

Samsung hasn't focused as much effort into creating a similar ecosystem, so having multiple Samsung devices doesn't do as much to improve your experience. This can be a drawback, however; the Apple Watch, in particular, only works in combination with another Apple device.

Apple's Proprietary Software Support System

When it comes to operating systems, many people prefer iOS and the Apple software system. While Android is open source and has access to the Google Play Store, the Apple app store is closed and has tighter quality control. This translates into fewer apps, but iPhone apps tend to have better quality thanks to this stricter system. On top of that, malware programs only rarely infect iOS. Apple is unbeatable for a curated, straightforward experience.

Being Trendy (The Blue Bubble Effect)

The truth is, it pays to be popular; just look at the blue bubble effect, where Apple's iMessage service color codes messages based on device. iPhone messages are blue while non-Apple devices are green. This subtle color distinction has gained cultural and social weight, and it subtly influences perceptions of group belonging and status.

Being part of the Apple ecosystem counts for something with many Apple users, and Apple continues to be perceived as the cool and luxurious phone brand. A Forbes article even found that owning an iPhone made someone more likely to match on dating apps.

CPU Performance

Apple powers their phones with their custom Bionic chipset. Each new phone generation uses a new chip, and it's always among the best on the market. This advantage is especially pronounced in terms of CPU performance, which means you can switch between apps faster and use them more smoothly. In turn, Apple phones are ideal for work and digital photography.

Excellent Camera Software

Digital photography isn't just about hardware; image quality relies heavily on the software the phone uses to process images. Apple tends to be at the forefront of introducing new photography modes and software features, which makes their phones the best choice for anyone but the most hardcore photography enthuisiasts.

The Advantages of Samsung's Phones

Samsung phones come in a much broader selection than iPhones, with four models that the brand updates yearly. You have a lot more options when it comes to which phone to choose, and more control over the Android operating system in comparison to iOS.

Customizable Operating System

Samsung users often appreciate that the Android operating system is open source and supports a much wider range of software than iOS. If you just want to run stock Android, you can remove Samsung's proprietary apps and download the apps you want to use. Generally, the Android operating system is ideal for people who are are technically inclined and want maximum control over their devices.

Great Entry Level Offerings

Apple's iPhone lineup doesn't offer much in the way of budget options; if you want a phone for less than $400, you'll have to go further back than last year's models. The cheapest Samsung phone from the same generation as an Apple iPhone can cost several hundred dollars less, in comparison to that generation's iPhone SE model.

Better GPU Performance

While iPhones outperform Samsung phones in CPU power, Samsung chips have the advantage in GPU performance. This translates into a smoother experience with gaming and video streaming, although your device may not handle processing tasks as well or switch between apps as quickly.

Camera Hardware

Apple iPhone cameras have a great reputation for their processing software and high ease of use in producing great photos. However, the latest iPhone 15 Pro Max is behind comparable Android phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra and S24 in terms of camera hardware.

With Samsung phones, important tech like 8K resolution video quality are available. Samsung Galaxy phones also have very versatile camera setups; the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Ultra have up to four rear cameras.

Battery Life

Battery life is going to vary from one phone to the next; some iPhones have better battery life than some Androids, and bice versa. However, comparable Samsung phones tend to have better battery life than iPhones. A comparison of battery life found that the iPhone 15 Pro Max fell short against the latest Galaxy S models, and it wasn't close; battery life was several hours worse. There are exceptions to the rule, but a Samsung Galaxy phone generally will have better battery life than an Apple iPhone.

Apple iPhones vs Samsung Phones: Which is Better?

Unless you're passionate about the operating systems or broader ecosystem of dAt the end of the day, the specific phone model matters more than which brand it comes from. Sure, iPhones are generally more expensive; but the Galaxy S models represent Samsung's flagships and can be even more expensive. Choosing the right phone for your needs will require setting a budget, setting your priorities, and then deciding what individual phone best suits your needs within your budget.

And if you want to increase your budget, turn to ecoATM. We'll help you sell your old phone at a great price so that you can keep it out of a landfill and raise money for a new phone. Here's how it works.

How Samsung and Apple Got Their Starts

Many people know the story of Apple, founded in the 1970s in Steve Jobs' garage. Apple had great success with its Mac computers and iPods®, but it needed something big to have a horse in m resulted in the first iPhone, boasted as a phone, internet device and iPod all in one. With its reliable computers, iPods and other devices, Apple grew steadily in the last part of the 20th century. 

Meanwhile, Samsung's history involves a slower rise to fame. This South Korean company started in 1938 as a grocery store and trading company, later expanding into various industries like insurance, security and retail. It started making electronics in the 1960s and dabbled in everything from semiconductors and home appliances to TVs and telecommunications devices. 

Samsung and Apple started as partners, and they still are today. Samsung has supplied Apple with a range of components, like processors, display screens, and lightweight flash memory. Before becoming an Apple competitor, Samsung phones already existed as a minor player in the industry.

However, these early Samsung phones were nothing that would cement them as a serious competitor, especially against the behemoth of the iPhone, which took the world by storm. 

Ultimately, it was the release of the new line of Samsung Galaxy phones that put Samsung devices on a level playing field with the Apple iPhone line. Ever since then, Samsung Galaxy devices and Apple iPhones have been fierce competitors.

iPhone vs. Samsung Over the Years

Apple released the iPhone in 2007, and Samsung entered the race in 2009 with the Samsung Galaxy S® — and Steve Jobs was furious. In Apple's eyes, the Galaxy was a direct copy of the iPhone, and Jobs wanted to launch "thermonuclear war" with Android.

Tim Cook, Apple's supply chain effort and Jobs' future successor, encouraged him to be patient and remain civil to avoid hurting their relationship with a critical supplier. However, the iPhone vs Samsung war did indeed turn hot.

Apple iPhone vs Samsung Phone, Round One: The Courts

Apple initially created a proposal to license its patents to Samsung, but Samsung reversed the offer and claimed that Apple copied Samsung's patents. 2011 marked the start of some hefty litigation and an Apple vs. Samsung lawsuit as the two sued and countersued each other in multiple countries for patent infringement.

After considerable back-and-forth and some temporary product bans, a court ruled in Apple's favor, awarding over $1 billion in damages after finding that Android phones copied critical Apple features from iPhones and iPads.

That win was eventually sent to retrial due to incorrect calculations from the jury, with Samsung paying a penalty of $929 million. Even though the courts found Apple guilty of copying some of Samsung's patents, the case was seen as a big win for Apple and helped them label Samsung as a copycat.

This helped give Apple an early advantage in the iPhone vs Samsung competition; however, Samsung and Android users fired back by stating that Apple was aiming for a monopoly and creating overly generic patents. Apple has even patented the iPad's rounded, rectangular shape.

Samsung's creatives saw an opening. They wanted to challenge the cult of Apple and position themselves as a leader to the Android tribe. Samsung's goal became clear: to redefine Samsung and market accordingly.

2007-2009: The iPhone Takeover

Apple advertised the iPhone as a combination of an iPod, an internet device and a mobile phone. Its large touchscreen design was nothing short of revolutionary, incorporating an on-screen keyboard, the iOS® interface, a 2 megapixel (MP) camera and other exciting-for-the-time technologies.

At first, the phone wasn't highly regarded by other mobile manufacturers, and its sales were lower than expected, but the second version released in 2008, the iPhone 3G, caused demand to explode. More phones were sold in the last fiscal quarter of 2008 — 6.9 million units — than in the previous three combined. Just before the release of the iPhone 3G, the App Store also hit the market.

Samsung hit the ground running with the Galaxy S, offering a larger 4-inch display, a slimmer body, a 5 MP camera, 720p video recording, and a super active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) screen.

2010: Samsung Enters the Ring

The S III and S4 models saw progressively larger screens and higher resolutions, along with quad-core and octa-core processors, respectively. The S4 also had a few odd features, like Floating Touch and Smart PauseTM. Floating Touch allowed you to control the screen by hovering your finger instead of clicking, and SmartPause allowed you to pause a video just by looking away.

Apple headed into the decade with the addition of Siri®, Apple's voice assistant, and iCloud® on the iPhone 5. Display sizes only moderately increased this time, reaching a screen size of 4 inches on the new 5c and 5s phones, compared to the Galaxy S4's 5 inches. It did affect the aspect ratio, though, changing it to 16:9, a better ratio for video.

Apple focused on the processor and security features of the phones with the help of the A7 Cyclone chip on the 5s. This was the first 64-bit chip on a phone and was quite advanced for the time. The other sizeable addition at this time was Touch ID®, which turned the home button into a fingerprint scanner to unlock the phone with just a touch. Other improvements included the camera's low light performance and iOS interface.

2014-2016: Flashy Features, Video Improvements and Premium Designs

Back at Samsung, flashy new capabilities were added to the Galaxy S5, like waterproofing via an odd flap over the ports, a micro USB 3.0 charging port and a swipe-based fingerprint reader. With the Samsung S6 Edge®, Samsung delivered a buzz-worthy futuristic display that curved toward the sides of the phone. It also used a more premium metal frame, following Apple's lead from the iPhone 6.

The S7 and S7 Edge brought waterproofing to the table, too, along with features that made the Galaxy lineup shine in the optics department. These phones got dual-pixel autofocus, a piece of tech taken from advanced digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras for faster focusing. They also added a super-wide lens for night photography.

Apple finally joined the large-screen game with the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. This lineup also solidified the iPhones — and flagship phones in general — as having "premium" materials with its durable and light aluminum body. These phones got camera improvements and continuous autofocus during video recording, as well.

With the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, Apple made a bold move and increased the phone's thickness to support its new feature, 3D Touch®. Users could access multiple "levels" of pressure to open up new menus and shortcuts. The 6s also added 4K capabilities without some of the restrictions of Androids, such as five-minute recording limits. Apple added full 4K recording and iMovie® support for a phone — which was especially impressive considering that many laptops struggled with video editing at the time.

Apple started ramping up its cameras with the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus by adding dual-camera systems, a telephoto lens and the new Portrait mode. Apple also killed the headphone jack in 2016, moving consumers toward wireless solutions. Losing the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack was a controversial move, but it didn't seem to hurt consumers' interests in the phone. It seemed inevitable with the rise of wireless technology, and Samsung got rid of the jack in 2019.

2017-2020: Edgeless Designs and Stellar Cameras

In 2017, borders were out, and edgeless designs were in, creating some beautiful technology. For Samsung, that meant keeping the curve of the Edge phones and incorporating an edge-to-edge screen with minor bezels on the top and bottom. The design hasn't changed much since then, but the S9 offered improved durability, and the display of the S10 moved to a narrower aspect ratio. The S10 also created a "punch hole" design that avoided the "notch" at the top of the screen that plagued the iPhone lines.

Cameras continued to receive minor improvements, and the fingerprint scanner moved to an ultrasonic design beneath the screen. The cameras really moved front and center with the S20 lineup in 2020. Some standout additions include the S20 Ultra's whopping 108 MP main lens, a smooth 120 Hertz (Hz) refresh rate and a 5,000-milliampere-hour (mAh) battery.

Apple started 2017 with the iPhone 8, which mainly just added wireless charging. The real design upgrade happened in the iPhone X, also released in 2017, which eliminated the home button with its own edge-to-edge display. While the size of the phone remained similar, the display size was much bigger. Its dual-camera system jumped up to 12 MP, and Apple added Face ID®, a feature that used the new TrueDepth® front-facing camera for 3D facial mapping technology, adding a new layer of security and functionality.

The iPhone XS and XS Max came out next, shortly followed by the iPhone XR, a cheaper version of the other two. The XS and XS Max retain the dual-camera setup of the X and feature a stainless steel metal frame. Apple then moved on to the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, with bright new colors and crisp displays. The Pro and Pro Max phones added a third high-dynamic-range (HDR) telephoto lens, further improving the cameras.

In 2020, Apple redid the iPhone SE, the younger brother to the flagship iPhones. This SE has a home button and is a bit smaller, with a 4.7-inch display compared to the 6.1-inch display of the iPhone 11. As for the flagships, Apple released the iPhone 12 lineup with the mini, the 12, the 12 Pro and the 12 Pro Max. Their designs harken back to older, flatter models by creating sharper edges. The higher-end versions of the 12 include some impressive new features like a triple-lens camera, LiDAR scanners and faster apertures.

2021-2023: Apple Takes the Crown in the iPhone vs Samsung Competition

Both companies sought to capture the attention of consumers through advanced technologies and strategic decisions that would shape the future of the smartphone market. Samsung continued to broaden its range of devices, with the release of the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip diversifying the company's offerings. These devices showcased Samsung's commitment to pushing the boundaries of smartphone design. However, their high prices and niche appeal limited their impact on the broader market.

On the other hand, Apple continued to refine its existing product lines with the release of the iPhone 13 series. In contrast to Samsung's groundbreaking new offerings, the latest Apple products featured incremental but meaningful upgrades via improved battery life, enhanced camera systems, and the powerful A15 Bionic chip. 

Apple’s ability to consistently deliver a polished user experience and maintain its ecosystem's seamless integration kept its customer base loyal and engaged. The introduction of Cinematic Mode for video recording and the expansion of 5G capabilities brought practical value to average consumers. 

The biggest obstacle that Apple and Samsung faced in this period weren't each other, but pandemic-related supply chain disruptions and ongoing chip shortages. Sales faltered in the face of economic uncertainty, but iPhone and Galaxy phones continued to sell. Competition between the two industry giants reached a new pitch in the coming years, as Apple displaced 

Apple Displacing Samsung After 12 Years

The smartphone market underwent a dramatic shift in 2023 when Apple overtook Samsung to become the world's top smartphone seller. One of the most significant developments during this period was Apple's adoption of USB-C with the iPhone 15 lineup, a move that finally breaks iPhones free from the proprietary Lightning connector. 

This change not only addressed regulatory pressures in the European Union but also aligned Apple's smartphones with the USB-C standard already used in its other devices, such as MacBooks and iPads. The switch simplified the user experience, improved loading times and data transfer speeds, and became widely popular. At the same time, premium devices reached an all-time peak of popularity at 20% of the market. 

On Samsung's side, the release of the Galaxy S23 series in early 2023 introduced impressive features such as a 200 MP camera sensor and 8K video recording capabilities. However, the tide of the year was on Apple's side; Apple displaced Samsung as the top seller of smartphones for the first time in 12 years. That said, Apple's newfound dominance didn't last long, and faces new challenges moving into the future. 

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