This isn’t necessarily nefarious or unusual. Phone companies also require extensive testing of new phones and technical requirements specific to the U.S. Sometimes they offer commissions so that the salesperson in a Verizon store will push their models to shoppers. Wireless carriers sell about three-quarters of the phones that Americans buy, and they have a good thing going with Apple and Samsung.Īpple and Samsung pay phone service providers huge sums to help advertise their new devices. Second, smartphone sellers other than Apple and Samsung aren’t trying very hard, sometimes because they know it’s tough to break through in the U.S. It’s complicated, but I’ll offer two explanations: America’s wireless providers like AT&T are the kingmakers of which phones win in the U.S., and they’re fine with the status quo.

But in other places, there tends to be more choice and competition in smartphone shopping, often from Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Oppo, Realme and ( until recently) Huawei. Many other countries where most people own smartphones - including Britain and South Korea - are ruled by Apple and Samsung, too.

Half life iphone wallpaper