When evaluating the smartphone market today, its hard to get excited about products from any other company than Apple or Samsung. It seems that countless vendors are trying their hardest to make a mark in the mobile space, but devices like the iPhone 4S and Galaxy S II continue to hold center stage. Whats worse, the chances of that changing anytime soon seem slim.
In a recent study, Canaccord Genuity technology analyst Mike Walkley reported that Samsung and Apple have captured a remarkable 99 percent of first-quarter 2012 handset industry profits. If thats not impressive enough, consider that between them,Apple and Samsung own the majority of the smartphone space, leaving only scraps for the others. Simply put, Apple and Samsung have cornered the smartphone market.
But how did this happen? More importantly, why hasnt anything been done on the part of other vendors to stop it?
Read on to find out whyApple and Samsung are dominating the smartphone market.
1. Its Apple, isnt it?
When trying to determine why Apple and Samsung have been so successful in the smartphone market, its best to remember the companies being discussed. Apple is the worlds most popular brand, a company mainstream consumers trust and one that fully understands what it takes to be successful. Isnt that enough reason to understand Apples dominance in the smartphone market?
2. Design matters
If theres anything that can define both Apple and Samsung products, its stellar design. Both companies know how to deliver good-looking products that compel consumers to buy. Until other companies can offer up something with a fresh, handsome look, theyll have to be content picking up the scraps Apple and Samsung leave behind.
3. Google has helped Samsung
Itsno secret that Samsungs success over the last year, especially, has been due in part to Google and the Android operating system. The search giant made the Samsung Galaxy Nexus one of its premier Nexus devices, effectively legitimizing it in the marketplace. Add that to Googles seemingly strong partnership with Samsung, and its clear why the companies have been so successful working together.
4. Name recognition is vastly important
Although Motorola and HTC might be well-known in some circles, itshard to find better name recognition than Apple and Samsung. Both brands are extremely popular among consumers and have found a way to enter the daily lives of people through a host of products. Without name recognition, Samsung and Apple would be like everyone else.
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5. Quality, quality, quality
If Apple and Samsung were launching subpar products each year, the companies wouldnt be nearly as successful as they are. But with each new device comes a high-quality experience that both consumers and enterprise users are happy to use. Samsung and Apple have become synonymous with high quality.
6. Samsung has taken the fight to Apple
Samsung has made it abundantly clear to all who will listen that it wants to beat Apple at its own game. So, it has launched several marketing and advertising initiatives to take the fight directly to Apple. Based on its success around the globe as of late, it seems to have helped in a big way.
7. The patent battles help
One of the smartest things Samsung could have done over the last couple of years istake the legal fight to Apple. The company has been waging wars in patent courts around the world, and although it hasnt gotten much to show for it, the move has put it in headlines. And by putting itself in headlines, Samsung has legitimized itself as an Apple competitor.
8. Innovation
As noted earlier, the strong design concepts that are associated with Apple and Samsung products have made them successful. But theres also something to be said about the companies desire to be innovative. From unique offerings like Siri from Apple to the addition of big displays and 4G LTE support on Samsungs part before they were fashionable, the companies have their fingers on the pulse of what the market holds in the future.
9. The operating systems are well-liked
While the Android platform runs on many different manufacturers smartphones, vendors deliver their unique versions of the software in their own particular models. Luckily for Samsung, its version has been well-received by consumers, who like how simple it is to use, how easily navigable it is and all of the extras the mobile-device maker bundles with it. On the Apple side, its hard to find fault with iOS.
10. The carriers help
Todays carriers are trying desperately to attract as many customers as possible. So, they really only focus their time on those products that have the highest likelihood of being successful. Nowadays, that means Apples iPhone and Samsungs higher-end smartphones. Carriers are great partners for both Apple and Samsung.