Samsung vs Apple vs Huawei. Which phone brand is right for you in 2026?
Apple and Samsung are the world’s two biggest phone brands, and Huawei leads its home market in China. They make very different phones for very different users. Here is how they compare on software, apps, choice, updates and where you can actually buy them.
Browse cases by brand ↗In this guide
- Apple was the world’s number one smartphone vendor in 2025 with about 19.7% of shipments (IDC). Choose it for iOS, the Apple ecosystem and long updates.
- Samsung shipped almost as many phones (19.1%) and led in Q2 2026. Choose it for the widest range, from budget Galaxy A to foldables.
- Huawei is number one in China (22.6% in Q2 2026, IDC) but its new phones outside China come without Google services.
- For most buyers in the US, UK and Europe the real choice is Apple vs Samsung.
Who sells the most phones?
| Brand | Global share 2025 (IDC) | Global share Q2 2026 (IDC) | Strongest markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | 19.7% — No. 1 | 20.1% — No. 2 | US, Europe, Japan, China |
| Samsung | 19.1% — No. 2 | 22.6% — No. 1 | Worldwide, strong in Europe, India, Latin America |
| Huawei | Outside the global top 5 | No. 1 in China (22.6%) | China |
Source: IDC worldwide and China smartphone trackers.
iOS vs Android (One UI) vs HarmonyOS
- Apple: iOS is simple, consistent and works closely with Mac, iPad, Apple Watch and AirPods.
- Samsung: One UI on Android is flexible and full of features, from DeX to split screen and the S Pen on Ultra models. Recent Galaxy flagships get 7 years of OS updates.
- Huawei: new Huawei phones run HarmonyOS. Because of US trade restrictions since 2019, they do not come with Google apps and services such as Google Play, Gmail and Google Maps.
Range of phones and prices
Samsung has the widest range: affordable Galaxy A models, the Galaxy S flagships and Galaxy Z foldables. Apple offers a smaller range, from the iPhone “e” model to the Pro Max. Huawei has strong flagships and foldables, but availability outside China is limited.
Cameras: all three are excellent
At the top end, all three brands make excellent camera phones. Samsung’s Ultra models are known for long zoom, Apple for consistent video and colour, and Huawei for its advanced camera hardware. Differences today are more about style and software than about which one is “best”.
Which brand should you choose?
- Choose Apple if you already use a Mac, iPad or Apple Watch, or you want the simplest experience.
- Choose Samsung if you want more choice, a bigger range of prices, an S Pen or a foldable.
- Choose Huawei mainly if you live in China, or if you do not rely on Google apps.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, Samsung or Apple?
They are very close. According to IDC, Apple shipped the most smartphones in 2025 (19.7% vs 19.1%), while Samsung led in the second quarter of 2026 (22.6% vs 20.1%).
Is Huawei better than Samsung?
Huawei makes excellent hardware, but outside China its new phones lack Google services. For most buyers in the US and Europe, Samsung is the more practical choice.
Can Huawei phones use Google apps?
New Huawei phones do not come with Google Mobile Services because of US trade restrictions in place since 2019.
Which brand gets the longest software updates?
Both Apple and Samsung support their recent flagships for many years. Samsung promises 7 years of OS updates for recent Galaxy S models.
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