Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
Samsung takes 13% of global smartphone profits in Q1 2017, but Apple is still dominating
July 23, 2025
Samsung Electronicstook home 12.9% of the global smartphone operating profit in Q1, 2017, according to industry insights firmStrategy Analytics(viaThe Korea Herald).
Samsung is said to have made $1.57 billion in earnings from January to March, not an insignificant sum of money, but down 9% on the same period in 2016 when it brought in 21.9% of the market profits.
However.Apple, who battles with Samsung at the top of the global smartphone leaderboard, took home $10.1 billion in the same period, and continues to dominate all other smartphone vendors in profitability. Apple’s profits accounted for 83.4 percent of the global industry, which is even more impressive when considering that its standing in huge markets likeChinaandIndiaisn’t particularly strong.
“Of some 300 smartphone makers, only around 10 companies are generating profits,” an industry insider recently toldYonhap Newsyesterday. “In terms of profitability, Apple’s domination and the market’s bipolarization between companies that make money and those struggling to turn a profit are becoming clear.”
With Samsung and Apple accounting for more than 96% of the profits over that period, that means all other smartphone vendors picked up less than 4% combined. Those manufacturers don’t have to invest as much in software as Apple — who develops its own iOS platform — as Google is responsible for the core Android operating system (which itlicenses for free). But Apple manages to achievehuge marginson its hardware, despite the wealth of alternatives available, that other OEMs can’t come close to.
Samsung, ultimately, has done well to get 13% in the beginning of 2017, especially while itlacked a major flagship.
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
