Compare this to say GM, which makes a very wide range of products in multiple market segments Lexus doesn't attempt to even exist it, and frequently at the same to much lower prices in the market segments that they have in common.
So, with Apple, you basically have 3 device sizes to choose from, with or without WAN modems, at 4 incremental price points, all with fairly similar specs that tend towards the higher end.
Samsung and other Android phone makers have tens to hundreds of devices that range the gamut from tiny to huge. Want a 6" phone/tablet with a stylus? Android has it. Want a head unit that goes in your car and runs Android? Sure.
And with more choices * on average lower price points = more market penetration.
I'd on a per-car, Lexus makes more than GM, and in the same way, on a per-device basis, Apple makes more than Samsung.
Apple ships absolutely enormous volumes of devices to virtually every strata of the economy, selling the "premium" iPhone 5 (which is still owned by kids with burger-flipping jobs -- my jobless niece in a working-class family has one), to the last generation iPhone 4S discount device, to the even older generation iPhone 4 ultra-discount device. Then there's the incredible value iPod Touch that Samsung can't compete with.
They may not offer dollar-store products, but they're more like the Old Navy of brands than any sort of elitist assumptions.
They make good products and they stay away from the very low end (though they do still pitch a three year old device), but luxury comments aren't rationally supported.
Worth noting that Samsung's smartphone ASP (average selling price) is just under $500. Apple's is currently $580. The narrative that Samsung made bank on waves on discount devices just aren't supported by economics, and the models are much closer than many seem to think.
Not for a lack of trying: http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-players
As no-contract pricing starts to become competitive, Apple will do what is necessary with their discount entrant. But right now for a guy walking into Verizon or AT&T or many other cell providers around the globe, the iPhone 4 is as cheap as they can get.
As I said before, the ASP of Samsung smartphones approaches $500. This myth that everyone else is desperately pitching dollar phones is just nonsense. Yet so far this little thread offshoot has seen Apple compared with Lexus, Louis Vuitton, and Bentley.
Trust me, the China markets for cheap Android phones and iPhones are completely disjoint. The biggest competitor iPhone has in the high end market seems to be...weirdly enough, the Galaxy Note.
Completely different thing (as many Apple-centric journalists like to point out).
Apple has never been a dominant force in market share but it has been the profit leader for many years until, apparently, now.
Apple is run pretty decently; I'm sure they'll take advantage of opportunities as they see them. It might make sense for them to focus on high-end phones and invest in other non-phone products then to regain the "most profit on phones" crown.
So Blackberry needs to make 20 different models and they can beat Samsung? That doesn't make much sense.