Samsung Tries to Win iPhone Users for Foldables as Apple Enters Market
Samsung says more iOS users are switching to its newest foldables and it has upgraded data-transfer tools, as Apple unveils its first foldable iPhone and competition in the category intensifies.
Globally, the share of iOS users switching to Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Fold8 series, launched in July, was 1.6 times that of the previous-generation Galaxy Z Fold7 and Flip7, a Samsung Electronics spokesperson told CNBC. Samsung pioneered the foldable category with its first Galaxy Fold in 2019.
Apple unveiled its first foldable iPhone at a Wednesday launch event, marking one of its first major product introductions under new CEO John Ternus. The launch puts Apple into a segment Samsung has led since 2019.
In the United States, 30% of Galaxy Z Flip8 buyers switched from competing smartphone brands, with most of those customers buying a foldable phone for the first time, Samsung said. The company added that Galaxy Z Fold8 shoppers were particularly drawn to its thin and light design and inner display for multitasking and viewing content, while Fold8 Ultra shoppers favored its expansive screen and additional working space without the need for a separate tablet.
Samsung has also been trying to make it easier for iPhone users to move between the two ecosystems. The South Korean tech giant recently upgraded its Smart Switch feature, allowing iPhone users to transfer data to a Galaxy device wirelessly by simply scanning a QR code, without installing the Smart Switch app on their iPhone.
Samsung is projected to lead the global foldable smartphone market with a 32% share this year, according to data released by Counterpoint Research in July. But the competitive landscape is set to shift, with Apple expected to capture a 25% share as it enters the segment and Huawei remaining a strong player in China, Counterpoint said.
Editor's Summary
Samsung is promoting its foldable phones to iPhone users and says more iOS users are switching to its latest Galaxy Z Fold8 series. Apple has now unveiled its first foldable iPhone, while Counterpoint Research expects Samsung to lead the global foldable market this year with Apple and Huawei also holding significant share.