Samsung Electronics expanded its U.S. smartphone market share to 31 % in the second quarter, up from 23 % a year earlier, while Apple’s share slipped to 49 % from 56 %, according to research firm Canalys. The shift narrows Apple’s lead to 18 percentage points, the smallest gap in more than a decade, and marks the first time the iPhone maker has fallen below the 50 % threshold in its home market during a quarter. Analysts attribute Samsung’s gains to surging demand for its latest foldable devices. Pre-orders for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 are running about 25 % ahead of the previous model, and the companion Galaxy Z Flip is also drawing interest on social media and in carrier promotions. The company’s broadened U.S. lineup now spans handsets priced from roughly $650 to more than $2,400, allowing it to capture buyers across multiple segments. Overall U.S. smartphone shipments edged up to 27.1 million units in the quarter. Samsung’s volumes rose 38 % year-on-year to 8.3 million, while Apple’s fell 11 % to 13.3 million, Canalys estimates show. Samsung also moved inventory early to mitigate potential tariff risks, further lifting its presence on store shelves. Apple remains the top vendor by unit sales but is under pressure to respond. The company is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 next month and is reportedly working on a thinner model and its own foldable handset for as early as 2026. With foldables gaining traction and artificial-intelligence features emerging as a selling point, the two rivals are racing to set the next standard for the U.S. smartphone market.