Federica Laricchia
Research expert covering the global consumer technology industry
Samsung mobile devices - statistics & facts
From smartphones to laptops, from tablets to wearables, Samsung offers a wide variety of mobile devices. The smartphone being Samsung’s most popular mobile device, the Korean tech giant has consistently been one of the world‘s leading smartphone manufacturers, jostling with Apple for the top spot. While the Samsung S series of phones compete directly with Apple’s iPhone, the company gives itself an advantage by also placing significant emphasis on mid-range smartphones, offering flagship-like features with a much lower price tag. Furthermore, Samsung is keeping up with the times, adding to its offerings foldable and AI smartphones.
Since then, Samsung’s mobile business has grown significantly. In the first quarter of 2010, Samsung shipped just around 2.5 million smartphones. In early 2024, that figure reached over 60 million units. Mobile experience (MX) is Samsung’s largest revenue segment, generating revenues of around 24 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2024. To this Samsung’s entrance in more niche markets, like the foldable smartphone one, which the Korean tech giant leads.
The company has gone on to become the second-largest force in the tablet market, shipping roughly 26 million units in 2023. While Samsung outsells any other Android-based tablet, Apple remains the clear market leader, shipping almost 50 million units throughout the same year. Although Apple retains its strong footing, Samsung has gained significant ground in terms of tablet market share, rising from around seven percent in 2011 to about 22 percent at the beginning of 2024.
Looking forward, Samsung is likely to remain among the leading consumer electronics manufacturers, surfing the tech innovation wave and bringing to the table a vast array of latest-generation products and services for its many customers.
Growing a smartphone business
Samsung launched the first Samsung Galaxy S in June 2010, running on TouchWiz, their own customized version of the Android operating system. Featuring a 4.0” Super AMOLED display, expandable storage, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 0.3-megapixel front-facing camera, consumers received the phone favorably. The Galaxy S was able to find its footing against competitors such as HTC, Experia, and the iPhone 4, creating a solid foundation for future Galaxy S models, with the latest S24 series powered by Samsung Galaxy AI.Since then, Samsung’s mobile business has grown significantly. In the first quarter of 2010, Samsung shipped just around 2.5 million smartphones. In early 2024, that figure reached over 60 million units. Mobile experience (MX) is Samsung’s largest revenue segment, generating revenues of around 24 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2024. To this Samsung’s entrance in more niche markets, like the foldable smartphone one, which the Korean tech giant leads.
Taking on the tablet market
Samsung entered the tablet market in September 2010, with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0, the first tablet to be sold with the Android operating system. The industry is lucrative, with the global tablet market expected to be worth almost 55 billion U.S. dollars in 2024.The company has gone on to become the second-largest force in the tablet market, shipping roughly 26 million units in 2023. While Samsung outsells any other Android-based tablet, Apple remains the clear market leader, shipping almost 50 million units throughout the same year. Although Apple retains its strong footing, Samsung has gained significant ground in terms of tablet market share, rising from around seven percent in 2011 to about 22 percent at the beginning of 2024.
Looking forward, Samsung is likely to remain among the leading consumer electronics manufacturers, surfing the tech innovation wave and bringing to the table a vast array of latest-generation products and services for its many customers.
