Apple’s iPhones Trail Samsung, Google Devices in Internet Speeds

The slower load times also haven’t noticeably hurt the iPhone against its competition. It’s one of the best-reviewed smartphones in the world, with the latest models constantly outselling the competition. Apple sold more than 216 million iPhones last year and could top that in 2018 given strong interest in new larger and lower-cost models planned to be released later this year. Samsung was the world’s biggest smartphone maker in 2017, shipping more than 317 million units, according to research analyst IDC.

The speed-test data, reviewed by Bloomberg, show that Samsung’s Galaxy S9 phones had an average download speed — across carriers in the U.S. — of 38.9 megabits per second, based on about 102,000 tests over the past three months. The larger model, the S9+, delivered speeds of 38.4 Mbps, according to a sample size of about 169,000 phone connections. The iPhone X on average downloaded data at 29.7 Mbps, based on a 603,000 tests. The iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone 8 were close behind with speeds of 29.4 Mbps and 28.6 Mbps, respectively.

Ookla’s data breakdown indicated the iPhone X operated faster on Verizon Communications Inc.’s wireless network with average speeds of 31.5 Mbps and slowest on Sprint Corp.’s with speeds of 25.1 Mbps. The Galaxy S9+, which is closest to the iPhone X in terms of price, recorded average speeds of 38.2 Mbps on Verizon and 34.2 Mbps on Sprint.

Google’s Pixel 2 XL delivered a speed of 33.9 Mbps and the smaller Pixel 2 showed speeds of 34.4 Mbps.

Ookla’s insight into speed may become more of a factor in purchase decisions next year when the industry plans to start offering fifth generation, or 5G, services, which will be multiple times faster than what’s currently available — if the technology can translate theory into practice. Companies that are able to provide phones on those networks earlier may grab market share. Apple has typically lagged behind on such moves, preferring to wait until standards are established and networks fully built out.

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