How Rivals Like Apple, Samsung, and Google Secretly Rely on Each Other

In the tech world, fierce competition is often front and center. Apple and Samsung seem like sworn enemies, battling for market share with every new smartphone release. But behind the scenes, the reality is far more nuanced—and surprisingly cooperative.

Samsung Powers the iPhone Display

It might shock some to learn that Apple’s iPhones, specifically the ones with stunning OLED displays, rely heavily on one of their main competitors: Samsung. That’s right—Samsung, known for its own premium Galaxy smartphones, is the leading supplier of high-end OLED panels for Apple’s flagship devices.

While Apple does diversify its suppliers with contributions from companies like LG, Samsung remains the undisputed leader when it comes to delivering OLED screens at scale and at a level of quality that meets Apple’s exacting standards.

Imagine this: what if Samsung simply refused to sell their screens to Apple? In theory, that could trigger a major supply chain crisis for Apple, potentially forcing them to downgrade display quality or scramble for alternatives. In that chaos, Samsung’s phones might suddenly look far superior—giving them an edge in the consumer market.

But in practice, it doesn’t happen. Why? Economics.

Samsung earns billions supplying displays to Apple. For instance, when the Galaxy S8 launched in 2017, Samsung still made more profit from selling OLED displays for Apple’s iPhone X than from their own flagship phone. Apple needed around 200 million OLED panels for the iPhone X, and Samsung was the company that delivered. The rivalry might dominate headlines, but the profits from collaboration keep the partnership going strong.

However, this dynamic could shift. Apple is reportedly exploring micro-LED technology, which could eventually reduce or eliminate their dependence on Samsung for displays. Just as Apple ditched Intel to develop its own chips for Macs, they could make a similar move with displays. If that happens, Samsung could face a major loss—both in revenue and relevance in the Apple ecosystem.

Apple and Google: A $20 Billion Default

Another unlikely partnership exists between Apple and Google. Every time you open Safari on an iPhone and start typing in the search bar, you’re using Google Search by default. Most users never change that setting—and many don’t even know how.

That default status is gold for Google. So much so that the company reportedly pays Apple an astonishing $20 billion every year just to remain the default search engine in Safari. That’s not a typo—$20 billion annually for prime placement on iPhones around the world.

For Apple, it’s an easy decision. They collect a massive payday for doing very little, while still delivering the search engine most users prefer. For Google, it’s a way to lock out competitors like Bing or Yahoo and maintain their dominance in mobile search. It’s a win-win, and one of the most lucrative quiet partnerships in tech.

But this agreement hasn’t gone unnoticed by regulators. The U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating Google for potential anti-competitive behavior. Critics argue that paying to be the default locks out fair competition and strengthens monopolistic control.

If the courts intervene, this deal could be forced to end—and that would have major consequences. Apple might have to find a new search partner. Maybe they’d team up with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT more deeply into iOS. Or, in a bold move, Apple could even launch its own search engine. In fact, some insiders believe the fear of an “Apple Search” is exactly what pushed Google to offer the $20 billion deal in the first place.

The Future of Search Is Unwritten

Interestingly, a shift may already be happening. More users—especially tech-savvy ones—are turning to AI tools like ChatGPT or Google’s own Gemini for more nuanced, intelligent search experiences. These tools can go deeper than a traditional keyword search, offering answers that feel more like conversations than lists of links.

This evolution raises a compelling question: could we soon see a day when traditional search engines become less relevant?

If Apple were to fully lean into AI and roll out their own search or assistant product, it might redefine the default experience on iPhones once again—this time with Apple in full control.

Final Thoughts

The relationships between Apple, Samsung, and Google are complex, strategic, and often surprising. These tech giants may compete fiercely in public, but their behind-the-scenes partnerships are built on mutual need and massive financial incentives.

Whether it’s Apple relying on Samsung for premium displays, or Google paying billions to stay front and center on the iPhone, one thing is clear: in the tech world, cooperation often pays more than conflict.