Brandwave

Samsung vs Sony:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Sony had more branded searches than Samsung among earphones brands in New Zealand. Sony had about 17,100 branded searches, while Samsung had 390. Sony made up 11.3% of all earphones brand searches we track, and Samsung accounted for 0.26%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about earphones brands, Sony appeared in all five answers and Samsung in three. Sony was mentioned before Samsung in every answer.

Among earphones brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Sony, about 44 searches for every 1 for Samsung

Sony 17.1K searchesSamsung 390 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Sony, mentioned in every answer we collected

Sony in 5 of 5Samsung in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Sony, named ahead of Samsung in every answer

Sony first in 5Samsung never first

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Top earphones brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Sony appeared in all five answers. Samsung was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Sony was listed before Samsung in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Sony1st
  2. Apple AirPods2nd
  3. Bose3rd
  4. JBL4th
  5. Samsung5th
  6. Marshall–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Sony5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Apple AirPods4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • JBL3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Bose3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Samsung3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Marshall0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about earphones brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is Samsung or Sony more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Samsung and Sony by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six earphones brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Samsung and Sony among earphones brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Sony, Samsung. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthApple AirPodsJBLSonyBoseSamsungMarshall
Oct 202555.4%23.9%11.4%8.9%0.29%0.03%
Nov 202554.1%25.4%11.3%8.9%0.27%0.03%
Dec 202548.4%33.3%9.8%8.2%0.25%0.02%
Jan 202652.4%27.6%11.4%8.2%0.31%0.02%
Feb 202658.1%23.1%11.3%7.2%0.28%0.02%
Mar 202658.3%22.2%11.6%7.5%0.32%0.04%
Apr 202653.7%26.6%11.5%7.8%0.31%0.04%
May 202656.4%23.9%11.4%8.1%0.24%0.02%
Jun 202656.5%24%11%8.2%0.23%0.03%
Jul 202655.8%24.4%11.5%8%0.29%0.02%
Aug 202657.4%24.4%9.8%8.1%0.33%0.03%
Sep 202655.1%25.9%11.3%7.4%0.26%0.05%

How has the Samsung and Sony comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Sony was ahead of Samsung in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Samsung’s share of searches among earphones brands in New Zealand moved from 0.29% to 0.26%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 390.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among earphones brands in New Zealand moved from 11.4% to 11.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 15.2K to 17.1K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand earphones brands in September 2026?

1 change
  1. In September 2026, Sony gained share of searches among earphones brands in New Zealand, from 9.8% to 11.3%.

How are branded searches counted?

7 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Samsung’s and Sony’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Samsung

1 branded search term

  • samsung odyssey

Sony

6 branded search terms

  • sony
  • sony camara
  • sony cyber shot
  • sony wh 1000xm4
  • sony wh 1000xm5
  • sony wh 1000xm6

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among earphones brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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