Apple iPhone falls behind Samsung Galaxy S series in US customer satisfaction: Report

In a recent assessment of customer satisfaction among smartphone users in the United States, Samsung has edged out Apple, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The South Korean tech leader garnered a score of 81 out of 100, while Apple followed closely behind with a score of 80. Though the margin is narrow, it marks a significant moment for Samsung as it claims the top spot in the latest satisfaction rankings. Both Google and Motorola lagged, each achieving a score of 77. This year has seen a slight rebound in the smartphone sector, with overall satisfaction across devices rising to 79 following a notable dip in 2025. The ACSI report takes into account various factors that contribute to user satisfaction, including device performance, battery longevity, software functionality, customer support, perceived value, and the overall user experience. A notable highlight of the report is the increasing recognition of AI-driven features among smartphone users, with a specific satisfaction score of 85 out of 100 for these functionalities, marking the first time the ACSI has assessed AI features. When diving into model-specific satisfaction, the Samsung Galaxy S series emerged as the clear favorite, achieving a satisfaction score of 84. In comparison, the latest models from Apple, including the iPhone, and Google's Pixel series scored 82 and 80, respectively. Overall, flagship smartphones averaged a satisfaction rating of 82, while older models scored 76 and foldable phones lagged behind at 72. The report also noted that users of foldable devices tend to express dissatisfaction three times more frequently than those using traditional smartphones. This trend raises questions about the competitiveness of the foldable market, especially with rumors surrounding Apple’s potential entry into this segment with a foldable iPhone in the near future. Moreover, in the foldable category, Samsung led with a score of 80, largely attributed to the popularity of its Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip models. In contrast, Google's foldable devices received a score of 72, while Motorola trailed slightly behind with a score of 70.