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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesYes, Samsung has a meaningful presence in Japan, but available figures do not show it as the country’s most popular smartphone brand overall. Samsung says it ranked No. 1 in annual sales quantity in the Android smartphone category at participating retailers during 2025. In separate fiscal-year shipment data, it ranked behind Apple and Google.
Those figures measure retail sales and shipments—not a nationwide survey of brand preference or the number of people currently using each brand. The distinction matters when answering 「サムスンは日本で人気がありますか？」 (“Is Samsung popular in Japan?”).
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What does “popular” mean in this case?
Popularity can refer to several different things: how many devices retailers sell, how many manufacturers ship into Japan, how many people already own a brand’s phone, or which brand consumers say they prefer. The available figures cover retail point-of-sale sales and shipments. They do not establish a current, representative nationwide Samsung preference survey or installed-base estimate.
- Retail sales count purchases recorded by covered stores and channels.
- Shipments count devices sent into the market over a reporting period; they are not the same as devices bought by consumers during that period.
- Installed base and stated preference concern current ownership and consumer attitudes, respectively. The cited figures do not measure either.
What Samsung’s 2025 retail award shows
Samsung Japan announced that it received the BCN Award 2026 for “No. 1 in annual sales quantity in the Android smartphone category.” The award is based on BCN Ranking point-of-sale data recorded from January 1 to December 31, 2025, across 2,350 participating major electronics retailers, computer specialty stores, and online shops. Samsung Japan’s award announcement names Galaxy S25 models, Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7, and Galaxy A25 5G among the contributing devices, but does not provide an individual sales ranking for them.
#1 Best Overall
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- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- 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
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- 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 evidence of strong performance within a defined Android retail category and participating sales channels. It is not a claim that Samsung outsold every smartphone maker in Japan: the category excludes iPhone, and the award’s outlet coverage is not a census of all sales.
Where Samsung ranked in FY2025 shipments
MM Research Institute shipment figures for Japan’s fiscal year from April 2025 through March 2026 put Samsung at 3.531 million handsets and 11.0% of total handset shipments. Apple had 50.1% and Google 12.4%, placing Samsung behind both in this measure. ITmedia Mobile’s report gives the total-handset comparison.
Rank #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 word “handsets” matters. A separate report of the same fiscal-year data gives Apple a 51.6% share of smartphone-only shipments, a different denominator from total handsets. Do not compare that figure directly with Samsung’s 11.0% total-handset share as if both used the same category. Keitai Watch’s report identifies the smartphone-only figure.
| Measure | Period and scope | What it says about Samsung |
|---|---|---|
| BCN retail point-of-sale award | Calendar year 2025; 2,350 participating outlets and online shops; Android smartphone category | Samsung ranked No. 1 in annual sales quantity within that category, according to Samsung Japan. |
| MM Research Institute shipments | FY2025, April 2025–March 2026; total handset shipments | 3.531 million devices and 11.0% share; behind Apple (50.1%) and Google (12.4%), as reported by ITmedia Mobile. |
| Smartphone-only shipment comparison | FY2025; smartphone shipments rather than total handsets | Keitai Watch reports Apple at 51.6%; the cited report gives Samsung’s 11.0% as a total-handset figure, so the two shares do not have matching denominators. |
Do model-level figures change the picture?
Counterpoint’s public Japan smartphone tracker lists models from Apple, Google, and Samsung, including Galaxy S25 and Galaxy A25, with data through July 2026. The public listing does not expose individual unit volumes or market shares; fuller figures require account access. Counterpoint’s Japan smartphone sales tracker therefore offers a partial model-level view, not a complete public brand ranking.
Rank #3
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- 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
Counterpoint’s Galaxy S25 page reports a 59.7% month-over-month sell-through decline in May 2026. That is a change for one model in one month, not evidence of a comparable decline across Samsung’s entire Japan business. Counterpoint also notes that panel estimates may be revised. The Galaxy S25 Japan tracker page provides that model-specific figure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.So, is Samsung popular in Japan?
Samsung is a prominent Android smartphone seller in Japan: it earned a category-specific retail sales award for 2025 and accounted for 11.0% of total handset shipments in FY2025. But the shipment figures place Apple and Google ahead of it, and the Android award does not include iPhone in its category. The evidence supports calling Samsung an established and competitive brand—not Japan’s leading smartphone brand overall, nor a brand whose nationwide consumer popularity has been directly measured by these sources.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
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.
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.
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