Samsung Electronics (NASDAQOTH: SSNLF) just reported that shipments of the latest version of its high-end smartphone, the Galaxy S5, were 10% higher in the first month after release as compared to the previous model, the S4. About 11 million S5s have been shipped since early April according to co-CEO J.K. Shin.
 
Conventional wisdom would normally indicate that this is good news for Samsung investors and maybe not so good for those of arch-rival Apple (AAPL -0.12%), right? Not necessarily.
 
Unsaturated high-end market?
One of the key takeaways from the Samsung announcement was that the high-end smartphone market, especially in developed economies, may not be saturated after all. The South Korean conglomerate reported a pickup in sales in Europe and the United States, once thought by many analysts to be less important going forward for the industry. Everyone was looking at China as the key battleground.
 
Recent data from Apple, which only competes in the high-end, confirms the Samsung information that the top tier of the market is doing fine. Apple reported results in April and brisk iPhone sales were the feature of the 10-Q filing. Over 94 million devices, including the two latest models, the 5s and 5c, were sold in the final quarter of 2013 and first three months of 2014, up 11% compared to the same period in 2012-2013.

Foolproof
Another piece of information gleaned from Samsung was that the increased S5 sales may have been due to several technological improvements made to the device. Users have been clamouring for phones that can better withstand "normal" everyday use, including being dropped in water, and can snap photos in the dark. The company made the latest Galaxy more resistant to moisture, and dust and the camera and battery life were improved.
 
Is Apple paying attention? An iPhone 6, which is due out in early fall, according to several reports, could have a bigger screen size in order to address the trend to larger displays that Samsung already has incorporated. Will the update from Cupertino also be waterproof and dustproof?
 
There are reports in the media that the iPhone 6 camera will take better pictures in low light conditions. 
 
If Apple can introduce the same technology inherent in the S5, and with the market for high-end smartphones not washed up as previously thought, the iPhone 6 could be a winner. Investors could be rewarded for sticking with Apple.
 
Samsung should look toward Cupertino
Samung could learn a few things from its main competitor too. Apple pays about $208 for the parts installed in the 32 GB version of the iPhone 5s. Components used in the 32GB S5 cost $251 to procure. Advantage: Apple.

Ironically, Samsung actually benefits from iPhone sales too. The brains of the 5s model, the A7 processor, is fabricated by the Korean company. Apple is reportedly looking elsewhere to buy the CPU that will be used in the next generation device.  

If Apple moves away from Samsung for the iPhone 6, expect the Korean company to be affected a bit, but if Samsung can reduce the cost of the components used in future S5 production, or in next generation models, its investors could profit. 

Foolish conclusion
In spite of the initial success of the Galaxy S5, Apple might not be as affected as one might think, especially if the company incorporates some of the features inherent in the Samsung device. Another reason for optimism in Cupertino is that the high-end smartphone market, including in established economies, where Apple is king, is not stagnating.