Apple vs. Samsung

In 2021, Samsung generated over $244 billion in revenue compared to Apple’s $365 billion. In 2020, Samsung generated over $206 billion in revenue, compared to Apple’s over $274 billion.

Elements	Apple	Samsung	Similarities	Differences	Competitive Advantage
Customer Segments	Consumer electronics users, premium market	Consumer electronics users, diverse market segments	Both target consumer electronics users. Apple focuses on the premium market. Samsung caters to a more diverse range of market segments, including budget-conscious consumers.	Apple’s primary focus is on the premium market, while Samsung addresses a wider range of customer segments across various price points.	Premium Market (Apple), Diverse Segments (Samsung).
Value Proposition	Innovation, user experience, ecosystem	Innovation, product variety, affordability	Both prioritize innovation in their products. Apple emphasizes the user experience and its ecosystem (iOS). Samsung offers a wide variety of products and affordability.	Apple places a strong emphasis on the overall user experience and seamless integration within its ecosystem. Samsung offers a broader product variety and focuses on affordability.	Ecosystem Integration (Apple), Product Variety (Samsung).
Channels	Apple Stores, online sales, authorized resellers	Online sales, retail stores, partnerships	Both utilize online sales channels and have retail stores. Apple operates its chain of Apple Stores and authorized resellers. Samsung’s products are available through various retailers and partnerships.	Apple has a dedicated network of Apple Stores, while Samsung relies on partnerships with various retailers and operates its retail stores, though to a lesser extent.	Apple Store Network (Apple), Retail Partnerships (Samsung).
Customer Relationships	Brand loyalty, customer service	Brand loyalty, customer support	Both brands have strong brand loyalty. Apple is known for its customer service and support. Samsung also maintains customer loyalty through its products and services.	Both companies build customer loyalty through brand reputation and offer customer support. Apple is particularly known for its customer service.	Strong Brand Loyalty (Both), Exceptional Customer Service (Apple).
Key Activities	Design, R&D, marketing, retail operations	R&D, manufacturing, marketing, retail operations	Both engage in design, R&D, marketing, and retail operations. Apple’s focus is on product design and creating a seamless user experience. Samsung is a vertically integrated company involved in manufacturing.	Apple’s design and user experience are core to its activities. Samsung’s vertically integrated model includes manufacturing, which allows for a diverse range of product offerings.	Design and User Experience (Apple), Vertical Integration (Samsung).
Key Resources	Brand, innovation, R&D centers	Manufacturing facilities, innovation centers	Both rely on brand strength and innovation. Apple invests significantly in R&D centers. Samsung’s resources include manufacturing facilities and innovation centers.	Apple’s primary assets are its brand and design innovation. Samsung’s resources include manufacturing capabilities, allowing for a broader product range.	Brand and Innovation (Apple), Manufacturing Capabilities (Samsung).
Key Partnerships	App developers, suppliers, carriers	Suppliers, carriers, software developers	Both collaborate with app developers, suppliers, and carriers. Apple partners with app developers for its App Store. Samsung collaborates with software developers for its Android-based products.	Apple’s App Store ecosystem relies on partnerships with app developers. Samsung leverages partnerships for software development on its Android-based devices.	App Ecosystem (Apple), Android Ecosystem (Samsung).
Revenue Streams	Hardware sales, software and services	Hardware sales, components sales, software services	Both generate revenue from hardware sales and software services. Apple’s significant revenue source is hardware. Samsung diversifies its revenue streams with component sales.	Apple’s primary revenue stream comes from hardware sales, including iPhones and Macs. Samsung’s revenue is diversified, with significant income from component sales, such as displays and chips.	Hardware Focus (Apple), Diversified Revenue Streams (Samsung).
Cost Structure	Manufacturing, marketing, R&D	Manufacturing, marketing, R&D	Both have costs related to manufacturing, marketing, and R&D. Apple’s marketing and R&D expenses are relatively high due to its focus on design and innovation. Samsung incurs costs associated with manufacturing a wide range of products.	Apple’s cost structure includes significant R&D expenses related to design and innovation. Samsung’s costs encompass manufacturing across various product categories.	Design and R&D Investment (Apple), Broad Manufacturing (Samsung).