Unpacking the 2024 Tech Titans: Samsung’s Rise and Fall
2024 Winners and Losers: A Year in Review for Samsung
As the calendar flips to 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on Samsung’s performance in the smartphone market. The tech giant had its share of ups and downs in 2024, with some devices flying off the shelves, while others fell short of expectations. Let’s dive into the winners and losers of the past year.
Winners: Galaxy A16 and A16 5G
Samsung’s budget-friendly Galaxy A16 and A16 5G phones proved to be crowd-pleasers, boasting impressive displays, solid battery life, and 50MP main cameras. With starting prices under €200, it’s no surprise they’ve found success in several markets.
Winner: Galaxy A55
The Galaxy A55, which starts at about €320, is Samsung’s joint-most popular Galaxy model, thanks to its flagship-killer specs. Featuring a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, a 4nm chipset, a 5,000mAh battery, and IP67 water and dust protection, it’s no wonder this phone outperformed other devices in North America and Europe.
Winners: Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy S24+
Samsung’s Galaxy S24 FE and Galaxy S24+ phones received critical acclaim for their impressive specs, including 4nm chipsets, 50MP cameras, and large 5,000mAh batteries. With Samsung’s unparalleled distribution network, it’s no surprise both phones found a niche in various markets.
Winner: Galaxy S24
In a shocking turn of events, the compact Galaxy S24 outsold the larger Galaxy S24+, bringing hope to those who still love smaller phones. This victory can be attributed to Samsung’s successful marketing efforts and the growing desire for smaller devices.
Winner: Galaxy Watch Ultra
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra is the latest addition to the Wear OS lineup, providing a direct challenge to the Apple Watch Ultra. With its rugged design, excellent smartwatch experience, and square body, this device is expected to dominate the Android smartwatch market.
Loser: Galaxy Watch7
On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch7 failed to impress, lacking significant improvements over its predecessor, the Galaxy Watch6. This lackluster performance has resulted in fans of the classic watch model being left with limited options.
Winners: Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and S10+
Samsung’s top-tier tablets, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and S10+, shone brightly, offering superb Super AMOLED displays, S Pen support, and versatility.
Loser: Galaxy Z Fold6
The Galaxy Z Fold6’s book-style design, once revolutionary, now finds itself facing competition from devices like the OnePlus Open, Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Honor Magic V3. The latter two outshine the Fold6 with their wider cover displays and superior cameras, leaving Samsung to reevaluate its Fold lineup.
Winner: Galaxy Z Flip6
The Galaxy Z Flip6 stood out as the clear winner among flip-foldable devices, thanks to its improved battery life and zoom shots, making it a popular choice in many global markets.
Winner: Galaxy S24 Ultra
As expected, Samsung’s most popular and profitable phone in 2024, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, continued its streak of success with the addition of a 50MP 5x telephoto camera and a new chipset.
While 2024 presented both successes and challenges for Samsung, the tech giant is now poised to build upon its wins and address the areas that require improvement. Only time will tell what the future holds for the company’s product lineup.
