Samsung Beats Apple in the U.S. ... Ranks No. 1 in Smartphone Customer Satisfaction [IT Item of the Day]

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[Financial News] Samsung Electronics has overtaken Apple in a U.S. consumer satisfaction survey to take the No. 1 spot in smartphones.
\r\nAccording to the '2026 Telecommunications, Mobile Phones and Smartwatches Survey' released on the 21st by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), Samsung Electronics scored 81 points in mobile phone customer satisfaction, beating Apple, which scored 80 points, to rank first.
Last year, Samsung Electronics and Apple shared the top spot.
\r\nIn the flagship smartphone category, buyers of Samsung Electronics' latest Galaxy S series recorded the highest satisfaction score at 84 points.
\r\nThe new iPhone followed with 82 points, while Google's flagship smartphone scored 80 points.
\r\nOverall average satisfaction for flagship models came to 82 points, well above conventional smartphones at 76 points and foldable phones at 72 points.
In the foldable phone segment, Samsung led by a wide margin with an ACSI score of 80 points. That was 8 points ahead of Google, which scored 72, and Motorola, which scored 70.
\r\nAccording to ACSI, foldable phone users were three times more likely to file complaints than regular users. ACSI said Apple's entry into the foldable phone market could reshape the competitive landscape. Apple is expected to launch a foldable iPhone in the second half of this year, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, with a 7.8-inch internal display and a 5.5-inch cover screen. The price is expected to be around $2,000, or about 3 million won.
In the smartwatch segment, Apple and Samsung Electronics tied for first place with 80 points each.
\r\nOverall, evaluations of the consumer experience for smartwatches improved. The biggest gains were seen in ease of navigating menus and settings, up 7% to 80 points, and in connectivity with apps and accessories, up 5% to 83 points.
\r\nMeanwhile, overall satisfaction in the mobile phone industry this year rose 1% from a year earlier to 79 points. It rebounded from last year's slump, which had marked the lowest level in 10 years. 
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mkchang@fnnews.com Jang Min-kwon Reporter