[Edaily Reporter Shin Yeong-bin ] A survey found that 8 out of 10 smartphone users in South Korea use a SamsungElectronics(005930) Galaxy. While Apple’s iPhone accounted for less than 20% of the overall market, it recorded a higher usage rate than the Galaxy among users in their 20s.

According to the “Smartphone Survey 2012–2026” released by Gallup Korea on the 13th, among 1,675 smartphone users aged 13 and older, 81% cited Samsung as the brand of the smartphone they currently use most often. Apple accounted for 19%.

By age group, Samsung’s dominance was particularly evident among those in their 40s and older. The adoption rate of Samsung smartphones was 84% among those in their 40s, 97% among those in their 50s, and nearly 100% among those aged 60 and older.

In contrast, Apple showed relative strength among younger demographics. iPhone adoption rates were 39% for those aged 13–18, 53% for those in their 20s, 38% for those in their 30s, 16% for those in their 40s, and 2% for those in their 50s. Notably, iPhone adoption among women in their 20s reached 67%.

Analysts suggest that SamsungElectronics’ dominance has grown even further, particularly among older age groups, following LGELECTRONICS’ withdrawal from the smartphone market. LGELECTRONICS’ smartphone usage rate, which once reached 21% in 2014, dropped to 6% in 2024 and 2% last year, and has virtually disappeared in this year’s survey.

Samsung’s dominance also continued in terms of future smartphone purchase intentions. Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they would choose Samsung for their next smartphone, while 21% cited Apple.

Brand loyalty was also high. Ninety-six percent of current Samsung smartphone users said they would purchase a Samsung product again. Samsung’s repurchase intention rate has risen steadily from 88% in 2021, reaching an all-time high this year.

However, among teenagers, the likelihood of switching brands in the future was relatively high. While the current brand usage rate among 13- to 18-year-olds was 61% for Samsung and 39% for Apple, future purchase intentions showed Apple leading with 51% compared to Samsung’s 47%.

Analysts suggest that teenagers, whose current smartphone choices are heavily influenced by their parents, are likely to switch to iPhones once they gain the authority to make their own purchasing decisions.

The domestic smartphone penetration rate has effectively reached saturation. The overall smartphone usage rate among those aged 13 and older was 99%; it was 99% for those aged 13–18 and 96% for those aged 60 and older.

Meanwhile, this survey was conducted via face-to-face interviews from May 23 to June 11 with 1,700 people nationwide aged 13 and older. The margin of error is ±2.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.