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Strong Galaxy S21 sales drive Samsung to highest Q1 mobile profit in years
Aug 12, 2025
Judging by the data from several research firms, it seems that almost every tech company is enjoying a better start to 2021 than 2020. But some firms, likeSamsung, are doing better than they’ve done even before the pandemic.
Samsung’s mobile phone business recorded a profit of 4.4 trillion won (~$3.9 billion) in Q1 2021 — the highest figure in this quarter in seven years, perReuters. That’s also an increase of 66% year-over-year.
According to Samsung’sinvestor note, the “increased sales of flagship models” and “increased sales of mass-market models” were the main drivers, especially across the US and Japan. The company also calls out theGalaxy S21 seriesas a star performer.
The Galaxy S21 series’ success, at least over the ill-performingGalaxy S20 series, was evident pretty soon after launch. Galaxy S21 sales in Korea were reportedly 30% higher than its predecessor in its post-launch period. Over in the UK, the phone series also broke pre-order records for the company. They proved popular in the US early on, too. Three times as many Galaxy S21 devices were sold in its first month after release compared to the S20.
While the Galaxy S21 series improved on numerous aspects of the S20, it’s likely the lower list price and the world’s economic re-emergence from the pandemic aided the flagship’s growth.
Galaxy A series also performing
The flagship isn’t the only positive for Samsung, though. Although the company doesn’t delve into specifics, it also claims its mid-range devices enjoyed a strong performance in Q1 2021. Mid-to-low end devices are arguably Samsung’s weakness, as demonstrated by its2020 performance in Africa. But the company expects its Galaxy A series to further bolster its financials in Q2 2021. It also forecasts accelerating sales for its wearable and tablet lines for the quarter.
However, Samsung cautions that the ongoingglobal chipset shortageand “weakening new product effects”could stagger its Q2 2021 revenue and future flagship sales.
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