There are several ways to measure success in the smartphone industry. The most common is “market capitalization,” which indicates the value of a company based on the total market value of its shares.
But that’s absurd, because companies like Apple (#2 by market cap) and Samsung (#22 by market cap) sell more stuff than the iPhone and Galaxy.
Then there is the “innovation” factor, which is quite difficult to measure: what is “innovation” for some, does not mean much for others.
Consider foldable phones, which are considered revolutionary by the right kind of user (like the person writing this article), or an expensive phone that breaks more easily for… most other people. So far, I’m somewhere in the middle.
Another interesting example of “innovation” is Apple’s “Dynamic Island” hole in the iPhone display. Technically, it does something pretty clever that we don’t see often in the smartphone world: it uses software to turn a hardware flaw into a feature, which (by definition) is innovative/original.
But again, this is just a fancier implementation of a display hole that does nothing (other than be a hole) most of the time you use the iPhone.
Overall, the subjective nature of innovation has led me to believe that there is a better way to recognize a phone maker’s performance. That’s why I decided that what I’m interested in is which new phone/product excites me the most.
And right now, Samsung is outpacing Apple in terms of enthusiasm. In fact, I think that will hold true for most of 2025.
Here’s why…
Samsung’s way of innovating is more practical and exciting than Apple’s: Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy AI and Galaxy Ring (vs Apple Vision Pro)
Galaxy Z Fold 6.
To be clear, this is not a comparison between Samsung and Apple Vision Pro at all.
Instead, what I’m doing is analyzing how Samsung manages to be the more exciting tech company compared to Apple — at least in 2024.
And while phones like the Galaxy Z Fold 2/3/4 wouldn’t have made this list, the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 manages to solve enough of my issues with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 to help Samsung take over as the leader in mobile innovation in 2024 – sorry, excitement.
This year, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is a legitimately interesting alternative to the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Significantly lighter, thinner and more practical than its predecessors, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is now closer than ever to the best foldables in China – while also being the easiest tablet-style foldable to buy in the world. And since I’m not a fan of the Pixel Fold’s somewhat dated design, for me, the Fold 6 is the only way to get the latest and greatest Google/Samsung AI on a big screen that fits in your pocket.
Features like webpage summaries and Circle to Search would be a joy to use on the Fold 6’s 7.6-inch display. Not to mention, the 6.3-inch Cover Display is now larger and more usable than ever.
Galaxy AI is more interesting than Apple intelligence because (unlike most iPhones) your flagship Galaxy actually has it
Additionally, Samsung’s AI is available on phones as old as the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S22, which automatically makes Samsung’s older flagships… more exciting than the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14.
I’m absolutely repeating myself, but AI tricks like webpage summarization, Circle to Search, and real-time chat translation are real reasons to buy a Samsung flagship now.
I think it’s only a matter of time before more useful AI features become a major selling point for phones, making existing and new Samsung flagships more… interesting. Meanwhile, Apple is still Apple and reserves Apple Intelligence for the most expensive… I mean most powerful iPhones.
The Galaxy Ring might be a more interesting product than the Apple Vision Pro because you can afford it and use it every day.
I think the Galaxy (fitness) ring is a more practical new product to launch in 2024 than the $3,500 ring. Apple Vision Prowho is way ahead of his time.
Let’s be clear, fitness rings like the Galaxy Ring have been around for a while now, but it’s the fact that a major player like Samsung is entering the scene that could shine a spotlight on this seemingly niche product category.
Specifically, Samsung users will be much more likely to invest in a smart ring made by Samsung rather than one from another brand.
Sure, Samsung doesn’t have Apple’s gravitational pull, but what Apple lacks is a smart ring.
With iPhone SE delayed, Galaxy S24 FE will be Samsung and Android’s underdog in 2024
Galaxy S24 leaked.
Bringing the focus back to smartphones, which are expected to start at $600, the leaked Galaxy S24 FE looks strikingly similar to the $1,000 Galaxy S24+, leading me to believe that the S24 FE could be the dark horse of this year’s phone market as a whole.
In direct comparison to the leaked S24 FE, Apple has no viable alternative to show, and that’s because Tim Cook & Co have (apparently) decided to delay the launch of the redesigned iPhone SE 4 until next year.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 15 (which is expected to drop to $700 after the iPhone 16 launches) won’t have the bigger, faster screen, powerful AI features, and zoom camera found in the more exciting models. Galaxy S24 FE.
Trust me, nothing gets people more excited than a good deal, and I think the Galaxy S24 FE will become the best value phone of the year. At least if it keeps the same $600 price tag as its predecessor.
Samsung has no shame, but the new Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Watch Ultra look like fun versions of the AirPods Pro and Apple Watch Ultra
I would choose the Galaxy Watch Ultra design over the Apple Watch Ultra because it looks more like a watch than a wrist computer.
This is an interesting question, which is why I put it in a whole different category of the Apple vs. Samsung rivalry.
This is the part where (as usual) Samsung decides to take “inspiration” from Apple’s design by putting its own spin on it, and this time it’s the new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and Galaxy Watch Ultra that look surprisingly familiar.
Clearly inspired by the square Apple Watch Ultra, I find the look of the new Galaxy Watch Ultra super badass. In fact, I prefer this design to Apple’s.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra has a square shape while having a circular dial, which (I believe) is the direction Apple should have taken with the Apple Watch design a while ago.
And even if Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are a blatant copy of the AirPods Pro, I don’t care. In my opinion, the stem design has always been the most appropriate and practical way to make a pair of wireless earbuds.
Not to mention, I find that Samsung’s clear top case gives the Galaxy Buds Pro a bit more character than the one found on my AirPods Pro. They also come in multiple colors, which makes them a bit more… exciting.
Is Apple making more mistakes than usual or are they ‘happy accidents’? Apple Vision Pro, Apple Car, iPhone SE 4, Apple Intelligence
AirPods Pro but with a clear case and lights and everything.
As you can see, Samsung simply seems to have more to offer in 2024. And everything Samsung has to offer seems to be more practical and exciting for the majority of users – including a moderate tech enthusiast like me.
Apple seems to be making some futuristic moves in uncertain directions – big thanks to Apple Vision Prowhich costs €4,000 where I am right now. Meanwhile, Cupertino’s other bold projects like the Apple Car seem to be cancelled, while no foldable iPhone/iPad is in sight.
To top it all off, Apple Intelligence will only be available on a handful of the latest iPhones — and it won’t be released until 2025. In practical terms, the entry point for Apple’s flagship AI-powered iPhone will be the iPhone 16 – should start at $800.
And if you want a big-screen iPhone (and most people do), you’ll have to take the next step. iPhone 16 Additionally, we’ll find out that regular iPhones won’t even have the same AI tricks as their Pro counterparts.
Another big mistake on Apple’s part could be the decision to delay the iPhone SE 4. The old $430 iPhone SE 3 is starting to look absolutely ridiculous in Apple’s 2024 lineup, and it’ll even look like the Galaxy S24 FE, which looks 10 years newer.
And finally, I can’t ignore Samsung’s new generation of laptops that (finally) benefit from Qualcomm’s brand new Snapdragon X Elite chips, which (according to early reviews) are on par with some of Apple’s M-series MacBooks.
Make no mistake, this could prove to be a monumental moment for Samsung and Windows – one that would create a more complete ecosystem to rival Apple’s.
Challenging Apple’s ecosystem? THAT’S Samsung.