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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Samsung narrowly leads Apple in the latest U.S. cell-phone customer-satisfaction ranking: Samsung scored 81 out of 100 and Apple scored 80 in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) study. That is a one-point lead in reported satisfaction—not proof that Samsung phones are categorically better or that the difference is statistically meaningful.
Samsung leads the 2026 phone ranking by one point
The ACSI’s 2026 Telecommunications, Cell Phone, and Smartwatch Study puts Samsung first among measured cell-phone manufacturers, at 81. Apple scored 80; Google and Motorola each scored 77. The overall cell-phone satisfaction score rose to 79 from 78 in 2025. Samsung’s score was unchanged year over year, while Apple’s fell one point.
| Manufacturer | 2025 score | 2026 score | Year-over-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 81 | 81 | 0 points |
| Apple | 81 | 80 | -1 point |
| Not stated in the cited ACSI 2025 manufacturer table | 77 | Not stated | |
| Motorola | Not stated in the cited ACSI 2025 manufacturer table | 77 | Not stated |
Samsung and Apple were tied at 81 in the 2025 ranking. The 2026 result is a narrow shift into sole first place, not evidence of a sweeping change in customer loyalty. ACSI’s cell-phone manufacturer table shows the scores, while its 2025 study announcement describes the prior-year context.
What the ACSI score does—and does not—measure
The ACSI is a customer-satisfaction index on a 0–100 scale. Its 2026 telecommunications, cell-phone, and smartwatch study drew on 26,963 completed surveys. Respondents were randomly selected and contacted by email between April 2025 and March 2026; the cell-phone results reflect U.S. consumers evaluating manufacturers of phones they own. The ACSI release, published May 19, 2026, describes the study and its scope.
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- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
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- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
This is not a controlled comparison of every iPhone and Galaxy model. It captures owners’ reported experience, which can reflect usability, expectations, service, value and the surrounding ownership experience—not just hardware. It is U.S.-specific and should not be treated as a global ranking. The publicly available ACSI summary does not provide a margin of error or significance test for the one-point Samsung–Apple gap, so it is best read as a close leaderboard result.
Everyday experience matters alongside new features
In the ACSI study’s attribute ratings, ease of making calls and ease of text messaging were the highest-rated cell-phone benchmarks, both at 86. AI feature performance and screen resolution and quality each scored 85. Audio quality, Bluetooth performance, camera quality, ease of arranging service and phone design each scored 84. Battery life and call-center satisfaction each scored 81. These are industry attribute scores, not Samsung-versus-Apple results.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
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- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
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The pattern is a reminder that satisfaction is not a synonym for technical novelty. Reliable basics and a manageable service experience can matter as much as new features. AI performance was measured for the first time in 2026, and the published summary does not supply a full brand-by-brand AI comparison; the 85 score therefore cannot establish that AI drove Samsung’s lead or that one company’s AI is better.
Results vary by phone type
The overall manufacturer scores combine owners across device types. In the ACSI model-type table, Samsung has the higher score in the flagship category, while Apple is ahead in the legacy/other category. Those group results do not establish that every model from one brand is more satisfying than its counterpart.
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- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
| ACSI phone category | Samsung | Apple | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall manufacturer | 81 | 80 | Published 2026 scores |
| Flagship phones | 84 | 82 | Samsung leads this category |
| Legacy/other phones | 76 | 79 | Apple leads this category |
| Foldables | 80 | Not listed as an Apple category in the public ACSI table | Overall foldable category score: 72 |
Foldables are a distinct case: their overall ACSI category score was 72, compared with 82 for flagships. Samsung’s foldable score of 80 is comparatively high within that category, but it should not be treated as equivalent to the conventional-flagship experience. ACSI’s full 2026 study tables also report that foldable owners are three times as likely to complain as non-foldable owners; that is an ACSI finding, not a general device failure rate.
Phone satisfaction is not smartwatch satisfaction
The smartphone result and smartwatch result are separate: Samsung leads Apple 81–80 for cell phones, while both score 80 for smartwatches. Samsung’s smartwatch score fell four points year over year; Apple’s was unchanged. The watch tie does not alter the phone ranking, and the phone lead should not be generalized to all mobile devices.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
How to use the ranking when choosing a phone
The ACSI result can be one input, but a brand-level score cannot tell you which specific phone is the best financial or practical choice. Compare the exact models and total ownership costs before switching or upgrading.
- Match the phone to your ecosystem. Consider compatibility with your computer, tablet, watch, earbuds, smart-home devices and services. Existing iPhone owners may value Apple continuity; Android users may prefer Galaxy integration and customization.
- Compare the model, not just the logo. Samsung sells phones across more price points and form factors, including foldables. Apple’s legacy/other category scored higher in the ACSI table, while Samsung’s flagship category scored higher; neither result substitutes for comparing the models you can actually buy.
- Estimate the full cost. Check the purchase price, financing terms, trade-in offer, expected support life, repair access and repair costs. A low monthly payment or headline trade-in value does not necessarily mean a lower total cost.
- Check practical fit. Confirm carrier compatibility and coverage, battery condition or expected battery life, camera and gaming needs, accessibility features, business requirements, privacy preferences and cloud-storage needs.
- Account for switching friction. Moving data and replacing ecosystem-specific services can take time or add expense. Make a list of the apps, messages, accessories and workflows you depend on before changing platforms.
- Choose a form factor deliberately. A foldable offers a different experience from a conventional phone, and the ACSI category scores suggest that the two should not be treated as interchangeable.
For current U.S. lineups, consult the manufacturers’ Samsung smartphone page and Apple iPhone page; models, offers and availability can change. Protection plans are a separate decision about financial risk, not a way to improve satisfaction scores. Compare eligibility, coverage and cost directly with Samsung Care+ or AppleCare before buying.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
What the one-point result does not prove
- It does not show that every Samsung phone is more satisfying than every iPhone.
- It does not establish that Samsung has better cameras, performance, privacy, durability or customer loyalty.
- It does not prove that Apple has lost its ecosystem advantages or that Samsung will lead in the next annual study.
- It does not establish that the one-point gap is statistically significant or practically meaningful to an individual buyer.
- It does not show that a particular product launch, software update or support initiative caused the change.
- It does not apply automatically outside the United States.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
