iPhone vs Galaxy: The Parent Company Comparison You Never Considered

Two Phones, Two Fundamentally Different Companies

The iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy are the two most popular smartphones on the planet. Together, they account for roughly 55-60% of global smartphone sales. Consumers often compare them on specs, cameras, battery life, and software. But the companies behind these phones are structured so differently that the comparison goes far deeper than hardware.

Apple is a focused consumer technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California. It designs premium devices and services for a tightly integrated ecosystem.

Samsung is a sprawling South Korean conglomerate (chaebol) that manufactures everything from smartphones to semiconductor chips to supertankers to apartment buildings.

Understanding these corporate differences reveals why the iPhone and Galaxy exist the way they do and who ultimately profits from your purchase.

The Corporate Structures

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)

Apple is a pure-play technology company. Almost all of its revenue comes from consumer electronics (iPhone, Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods), services (App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, Apple TV+), and accessories (Beats).

Apple designs its products but outsources manufacturing primarily to Foxconn (Hon Hai Precision) and other contract manufacturers in China, India, and Vietnam. Apple does not manufacture its own displays, memory chips, or many other components, though it designs its own processors (A-series, M-series chips).

Samsung Group

Samsung is not just a phone company. Samsung Group is one of South Korea's largest conglomerates, comprising dozens of subsidiaries across virtually every industry:

• Samsung Electronics: Smartphones, TVs, displays, semiconductors, appliances
• Samsung Heavy Industries: Shipbuilding
• Samsung C&T: Construction, engineering, trading
• Samsung Life Insurance: Financial services
• Samsung SDI: Batteries for EVs and devices
• Samsung SDS: IT services

Samsung Electronics alone is a vertically integrated powerhouse. It manufactures its own displays (AMOLED panels), memory chips (DRAM and NAND flash), and processors (Exynos). This vertical integration means Samsung often supplies components to its own competitors, including Apple.

The Ironic Relationship

Here is the most surprising aspect of the Apple-Samsung rivalry: Samsung manufactures key components for the iPhone.

• OLED displays for iPhone (Samsung Display is the world's largest OLED manufacturer)
• NAND flash memory used in iPhones and other Apple products
• DRAM used across Apple's product line

So when you buy an iPhone, some of your money flows to Samsung through component supply agreements. And when Samsung launches a new Galaxy phone, it may use the same display technology it sells to Apple.

This supplier-competitor dynamic is unique in the technology industry and illustrates how interconnected modern supply chains are.

How They Make Money Differently

Apple: Hardware + Services Ecosystem

Apple's business model centers on selling premium hardware and locking users into a services ecosystem:

• iPhone: ~52% of Apple revenue ($200+ billion)
• Services: ~22% of revenue (App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, Apple TV+, Apple Pay)
• Mac: ~8% of revenue
• iPad: ~6% of revenue
• Wearables/Accessories: ~9% of revenue (Apple Watch, AirPods, Beats)

Apple's services business has become increasingly important. Once you buy an iPhone, Apple earns recurring revenue through App Store commissions (15-30%), iCloud storage subscriptions, Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Pay transactions. This ecosystem lock-in is Apple's most powerful competitive advantage.

Samsung Electronics: Components + Consumer Electronics

Samsung Electronics earns revenue across a much broader base:

• Semiconductors: ~35% of revenue (memory chips, foundry services)
• Mobile: ~25% of revenue (Galaxy smartphones, tablets)
• Display Panels: ~15% of revenue (OLED, LCD)
• Consumer Electronics: ~20% of revenue (TVs, appliances)
• Other: ~5%

Samsung's semiconductor division is often more profitable than its mobile division. The memory chip business is cyclical but can generate enormous margins during upcycles. Samsung is the world's largest manufacturer of both DRAM and NAND flash memory.

The Product Philosophy Difference

Apple: Fewer Products, Higher Margins

Apple releases one new iPhone series per year with 3-4 models (base, Plus, Pro, Pro Max). Each model is positioned at a premium price point. Apple does not compete in the budget smartphone market.

iPhone average selling price: ~$900 Approach: Maximize revenue per customer through premium pricing and ecosystem services

Samsung: Full Market Coverage

Samsung releases dozens of smartphone models per year across multiple price tiers:

• Galaxy S series: Premium flagship (~$800-$1,300)
• Galaxy Z series: Foldable phones (~$1,000-$1,800)
• Galaxy A series: Mid-range (~$200-$500)
• Galaxy M series: Budget (~$100-$250)

Samsung smartphone average selling price: ~$250 (weighted across all tiers) Approach: Maximize total market share by serving every price segment

Global Market Share

Apple and Samsung trade the #1 and #2 positions globally depending on the quarter. Apple dominates in the U.S. and other wealthy markets. Samsung leads in volume across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.

What Your Purchase Funds

• Apple (Cupertino, CA) for design, software, and margin
• Foxconn (Taiwan/China) for assembly
• TSMC (Taiwan) for processor manufacturing
• Samsung (South Korea) for display and memory components
• Various suppliers worldwide for cameras, sensors, and other parts

• Samsung Electronics (Seoul, South Korea) for design, manufacturing, and components
• Samsung's own semiconductor and display divisions
• Qualcomm (U.S.) for Snapdragon processors (in most markets)
• Various suppliers for cameras and other parts

Samsung's vertical integration means more of your purchase price stays within the Samsung ecosystem. Apple's outsourced manufacturing model means your money is distributed more widely across the supply chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Samsung make parts for the iPhone?

Yes. Samsung Display supplies OLED screens for iPhones, and Samsung Semiconductor has supplied memory chips and other components. Samsung is simultaneously Apple's competitor and one of its key suppliers.

Is Apple or Samsung more profitable?

Apple is significantly more profitable. Apple's operating profit margin is approximately 30%, while Samsung Electronics' overall margin is approximately 10-15% (varying by semiconductor cycle). Apple generates more profit from fewer products.

Which company is bigger?

By market capitalization, Apple (~$3.5 trillion) is roughly 10 times larger than Samsung Electronics (~$350 billion). By employee count, Samsung Electronics (~270,000) has roughly twice as many employees as Apple (~164,000). By revenue, Apple ($390B) exceeds Samsung Electronics ($230B).

Is Samsung just a phone company?

No. Samsung Group is a conglomerate spanning electronics, semiconductors, shipbuilding, construction, insurance, and more. Smartphones are only about 25% of Samsung Electronics' revenue, and Samsung Electronics is only one part of the larger Samsung Group.

The Bottom Line

The iPhone and Galaxy represent two fundamentally different corporate philosophies. Apple is a focused, premium-priced ecosystem company that outsources manufacturing. Samsung is a vertically integrated conglomerate that makes everything from the chips to the screens to the phones themselves. Understanding these differences helps consumers see beyond the spec sheet to the corporate realities shaping the devices they carry every day.

Compare tech brands on WhoBrands or explore Apple's portfolio and Samsung's portfolio.

Sources

1. Apple Inc. Annual Report FY 2025. 2. Samsung Electronics. Annual Report 2025. 3. IDC. "Worldwide Smartphone Market Share." Q4 2025. 4. Counterpoint Research. "Global Smartphone Revenue Share." 2025.

All brand ownership data verified through WhoBrands.com's research methodology. Last updated: January 27, 2026.