Apple has done a remarkable job at marketing its iPhones as luxury items. Despite not always being the most expensive smartphones on the market, iPhones are often seen as status symbols—a sign that the person using one is doing well financially.

However, while iPhones may dominate pop culture and celebrity circles, a closer look at the preferences of the ultra-wealthy—the top 1%—tells a different story. Some of the richest people on the planet seem to prefer Android flagships, and their choices might say more about practicality, productivity, and personal taste than simple brand prestige.

Bill Gates Chooses Functionality: Galaxy Z Fold 5

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, worth an estimated $124 billion, has consistently favored Samsung’s foldable phones. From the Galaxy Z Fold 3 to the Z Fold 4, and now the Z Fold 5, Gates has stuck with this innovative line throughout its evolution.

Given his deep roots in the tech industry—and his complex history with Apple and Steve Jobs—it’s not surprising that Gates would gravitate toward a device that offers unique features designed to boost productivity. The Z Fold series, with its large fold-out screen, essentially puts a powerful mini-tablet in your pocket.

Carrying a bulkier device and unfolding it repeatedly throughout the day might be a deal-breaker for many consumers, but for Gates, the added functionality likely outweighs the inconvenience. Whether he’s using multitasking tools or perhaps even Samsung DeX to turn his phone into a desktop-like experience, it’s clear that the iPhone’s simpler form doesn’t suit his professional and tech-savvy needs.

And let’s be honest—considering his long-standing rivalry with Apple during his Microsoft days, the idea of using an iPhone might not sit comfortably with him anyway.

Mark Zuckerberg Picks Performance: Galaxy S23 Ultra

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, ranked among the world’s richest individuals, has also shown a preference for Samsung. Throughout last year, he was seen using the Galaxy S23 Ultra—Samsung’s most advanced traditional smartphone.

Unlike Gates, Zuckerberg isn’t into foldables. Instead, he opts for a more standard slab-style phone—but not just any phone. The S23 Ultra comes with premium hardware, top-tier performance, and even a built-in stylus for precision input.

Though the stylus might not be the main reason for his choice, it certainly adds a level of functionality for someone constantly managing a tech empire. More likely, Zuckerberg simply wants a no-compromise Android experience, and the S23 Ultra delivers exactly that.

He may have since upgraded to the S24 Ultra, but what matters is that he consistently leans towards high-end Android over iPhone. For someone who leads one of the world’s biggest tech companies, that says a lot.

What Does This Mean for the Rest of Us?

While iPhones remain immensely popular and widely considered luxury devices, they might not always be the best tool for high-level professionals. Gates and Zuckerberg’s preferences show that practicality and productivity often win over image and brand prestige when it comes to real-world usage—at least among the ultra-rich.

For those who value performance, flexibility, and multitasking features, Android flagships like the Galaxy Z Fold and S-series Ultra offer capabilities that Apple hasn’t yet matched. And for billionaires managing massive companies and making billion-dollar decisions, the right tool clearly matters more than the label on the back of the phone.