On October 30, Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae Yong took made several jokes at the expense of the iPhone.
“You Should Bring a Galaxy for Selfies”
During “chimaek” (chicken and beer) dinner at a chicken restaurant with NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun, Lee humorously responded to a nearby customer’s request for a selfie with their iPhone, saying, “You should bring a Galaxy.”
Shortly after, Lee made an unexpected appearance at COEX for NVIDIA’s GeForce 25th anniversary event in Korea, where he continued his iPhone-related banter.
Introduced by Jensen Huang, Lee looked out at the crowd, jokingly questioning, “Why do I see so many iPhones here?” The audience burst into laughter, but for Lee, it was a bittersweet moment.
60% of Gen Z and Millennials Use iPhones, Samsung Counters with the Galaxy Fold 7
According to a Gallup Korea survey of domestic smartphone users in July, among those in their 10s and 20s (ages 18-29), iPhones command a 60% market share, while Galaxy devices hold 40%.
For those in their 40s, iPhone usage surged from 19% last year to 31% this year, eating into Galaxy’s market share. The 30-39 age group shows a narrowing gap, with Galaxy at 53% and iPhone at 43%.
Galaxy phones remain dominant among older demographics, including those in their 50s, 60s, and 70s.
This shift has led to a perception that Galaxy users are “out of touch.” Singer Sung Si-kyung shared an anecdote on his YouTube channel about using a Galaxy, recounting, “A young girl recently asked me, ‘You use the trashy Galaxy?’ It seems there’s a prevailing notion among young people that iPhones are the only acceptable choice.”
In response, Samsung is making various efforts to attract younger users to the Galaxy brand, showcasing popular models like the Galaxy S25 and the sleek Galaxy Z Fold 7.
The popularity of these new offerings has boosted Samsung’s smartphone division, with revenue up 12% and operating profit increasing 28% year-over-year in the recent third-quarter report.
However, competition remains fierce. Apple is riding high on the success of its new iPhone 17 series and plans to launch a foldable device next year.
While Xiaomi doesn’t pose a significant threat in the Korean market, it’s solidifying its position as the world’s third-largest smartphone maker behind Samsung and Apple, steadily expanding its global influence.
