While Apple tends to focus on refining and incrementally improving existing features, Samsung pushes boundaries with innovations like:

• Foldable phones that offer larger screen sizes
• Built-in stylus (pen)
• Higher megapixel counts in cameras
• Advanced generative AI features, such as Generative Edit (moving or deleting objects in images) and Sketch to Image (transforming simple drawings into artwork).

Samsung’s Android operating system offers extensive customization options, allowing users to personalize their devices more freely than Apple’s iOS, which is known for its restrictive environment.

Samsung has a strong global presence, being the leading smartphone brand in many regions, including Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia.

Among other advantages, Samsung users may face fewer issues with region-specific apps compared to iPhone users who might encounter difficulties when traveling. (One workaround for Apple users is to create multiple Apple IDs, but this requires extra effort.)

Samsung smartphones integrate well with other Samsung products, such as smart TVs, home appliances, and wearables, creating a cohesive ecosystem that enhances the user experience.

Samsung is renowned for its high-quality displays, including Super AMOLED technology known for vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high brightness. This makes Samsung phones particularly appealing to media consumers and gamers.

While this advantage may have once led to increased battery consumption, Samsung's recent improvements in battery life have rendered this concern outdated.

Samsung offers a diverse range of smartphones, from budget-friendly models to premium devices like the Galaxy S series, catering to a broad audience.

Apple is known for its meticulous attention to build quality and design, using premium materials to craft sleek, minimalist devices that appeal to style-conscious consumers.

Apple leads in digital privacy and security, featuring technologies like Face ID, on-device processing, and end-to-end encryption. This strong focus on privacy is a significant selling point in an era of increasing data breaches.

iPhones maintain a higher resale value compared to other smartphones, making it easier for Apple users to upgrade to new models.

iOS is optimized specifically for Apple hardware, leading to superior performance within individual devices and across the Apple ecosystem.

The Apple App Store is known for its strict quality control, ensuring that apps meet high standards for performance and security. With most major apps now available on iOS, availability is rarely a concern.

iOS developers benefit from a large, engaged user base and comprehensive development tools.

Apple’s ecosystem, which includes the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and services like iCloud, offers a seamless experience with devices working together effortlessly.

Even older iPhone models receive timely iOS updates. This is partly due to Apple’s integrated hardware and software.

Apple provides an international warranty, but Samsung does not. Xiaomi also provides an international warranty, but it does not yet sell smartphones in the U.S., which may affect its warranty service there (if any).

Xiaomi offers high-quality smartphones at competitive prices, often undercutting its rivals by providing flagship-level features at mid-range prices. The Redmi and Poco series are particularly popular for their affordability and feature-rich offerings.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra features a one-inch-type main sensor with a variable aperture, providing exceptional depth of field and light control. It also includes multiple 50MP cameras for telephoto, ultrawide, and periscope zoom. In comparison, Samsung and Apple flagship models, while high-quality, do not offer this unique combination of sensor size and variable aperture.

A dedicated photography package is also available (sold separately), featuring a camera grip with a shutter release button for enhanced stability and usability, resembling a traditional camera.

Xiaomi’s flagship model, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, offers fast charging capabilities—90W wired and 80W wireless—that outpace those of its competitors. For comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra offers 45W, and the iPhone 15 Pro offers 20W. Moreover, Xiaomi includes a fast charger with its phones, whereas Apple and Samsung require separate purchases for chargers. Xiaomi also guarantees that its fast charging technology will not significantly reduce battery life, addressing any concerns in this regard.

Xiaomi’s operating system (formerly MIUI, now rebranded as HyperOS) offers extensive customization options that allow users to personalize their devices beyond what standard Android provides. This feature has helped build a loyal user base.

Xiaomi is expanding its ecosystem beyond smartphones, offering products like smart TVs, wearables, and smart home devices. This ecosystem approach provides users with a wide range of interconnected devices at affordable prices.

Xiaomi has rapidly expanded in the European market in recent years, as evidenced by its shipment and market shares. Such widespread adoption suggests positive word of mouth from a large base of satisfied customers.

Smartphone shipments share in Europe by vendor 2015-2024 (Source)