The iPhone captured 79 percent of global smartphone profits in 2016, according to new research from Strategy Analytics obtained by The Korea Herald. Global smartphone profit stood at $53.7 billion, with Apple's iPhone profit accounting for $44.9 billion.

galaxy s7 edge iphone 7 plus
Apple held 14.5 percent global smartphone marketshare in 2016, second behind Samsung's 20.8 percent global marketshare. For comparison, Samsung, which posted an $8.3 billion profit, accounted for 14.6 percent of global profits in 2016.

The Cupertino company typically dominates global profit share despite not holding a large amount of marketshare in the smartphone segment. In the first quarter of 2015 alone, Apple accounted for 92 percent of global smartphone profit on 20 percent of actual smartphone sales. Similarly, in the fourth quarter of 2014 Apple captured nearly 90 percent of smartphone profit.

Much of Apple's success in late 2014 and early 2015 can be attributed to the popularity of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, sending Android global profit share down to 11.3 percent during the fourth quarter of 2014, down from 29.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The popularity of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus helped bolster a .5 increase in smartphone shipments year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2016, edging Samsung to make Apple the world's top smartphone maker in the quarter.

Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

tillsbury Avatar
112 months ago
I don't like this news. Apple is greedy.
So, you believe that the reason Samsung only made $8b profit last year is because they were being altruistic? I don't get it...
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
realeric Avatar
112 months ago
I don't like this news. Apple is greedy.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
v0lume4 Avatar
112 months ago
Not surprised. Apple's supply chain prowess and ability to command a 40-50% markup is unmatched. It really is remarkable -- I can't name another company pulling in similar margins. It sucks for us, the consumer, since iPhones cost ~$700+. But we keep buying.*

* we - The general public
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cole Slaw Avatar
112 months ago
Well this is good news.
I'm hoping the next iPhone costs at least $1500 so they can make even more money!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
112 months ago
A Samsung high end phone costs basically the same, but after 2 years it's worthless.

An used iPhone keeps an unbelievable value, because 1) Apple never discounts phones at mid life like all others and 2)
You're making points that have nothing to do with @v0lume4 quote nor the topic of the article.

This is about profits and percentages of said profits. The resale value of used iPhones and Galaxies have nothing to do with those profits. In fact, each sale of one of those "used iPhone keeps an unbelievable value" actually takes profit away from Apple.:eek:

Apple never discounts phones at mid life? Uh, that's not true. Outside of the debut period, iPhones can be found discounted as low as BOGO (buy one get one) pricing through multiple carriers. I think AT&T is still running that promo now. Speaking of AT&T, they're one of Apple's biggest customers. Not you and me. The vast majority of Apple's iPhone profit comes from their primary customers: telcos, big box retailers, etc. For the most part, Apple doesn't get paid when you go into a store to buy a phone. Apple was paid long ago when that phone was put on a boat, truck, or plane and shipped to their customers.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
112 months ago
Since when is making excessive profit at the expense of all of us a good thing? It's kind of a nasty statistic. Hooray hooray, Apple gouges its customers deeper than anyone else.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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