Do people really switch from iPhone to Android? Apple now wants answers from Samsung’s data

Apple’s fight against US antitrust claims has taken an unusual turn, and the company now wants help from one of its biggest rivals – Samsung.

Apple is seeking permission from a US court (h/t 9to5mac) to obtain internal documents from Samsung’s South Korean parent company. These requested documents include important market research, business reports and data related to Samsung’s smartphones, smartwatches and Galaxy Store.

The request comes as part of Apple’s ongoing legal battle with the US Justice Department and several states, which accuse the company of using its control over the iPhone and the App Store to limit competition. A significant part of that case focuses on whether Apple makes it difficult for iPhone users to switch to Android.

Apple strongly disagrees with that claim its latest filingAnd argue that regulators are relying on the perception that Apple actively discourages users from switching to Android. To prove its point, Apple now wants data from Samsung, the biggest Android phone maker, to show how competitive the market really is and how often users switch between platforms.

Apple is basically arguing that Samsung’s data is important because it reflects real-world competition, not just theory. As regulators are using Samsung as a prime example of Apple’s competition, Apple says Samsung’s internal data can show how the market really works.

Apple has already attempted to obtain this information from Samsung’s US branch, but was told that the relevant documents are held by Samsung’s headquarters in South Korea. So now, Apple is using an international legal process called the “Hague Evidence Convention” to formally request that data from Korean authorities.

Even if the US court agrees to Apple’s request, there is no guarantee that Samsung will actually open its books to Apple. South Korean officials would still have to approve Apple’s request, and Samsung would likely object under local laws.

However, if Apple succeeds in obtaining this data, it could play an important role in the case. Information about how often users switch between iPhone and Android devices, especially between iPhone to Samsung devices, could help determine whether Apple’s practices are truly anti-competitive or part of general market competition.