Editing Apple Inc. (section)

=== Challenges and Market Headwinds   ===
Despite its successes, Apple faced significant challenges in 2014. The smartphone market was increasingly saturated, with competitors like Samsung, Google, and Microsoft intensifying their efforts to capture market share<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.studocu.com/row/document/university-of-ibadan/accounting-in-business/challenges-faced-by-apple-inc-and-approaches-to-resolving-them/80433912 |quote=Apple faced intense rivalry from both emerging and established enterprises in 2014, including Samsung, Google, and Microsoft. }}</ref>. Samsung’s aggressive marketing of its Galaxy series and Google’s Android ecosystem posed formidable competitive pressures<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-Announces-iPhone-6-iPhone-6-Plus-The-Biggest-Advancements-in-iPhone-History/ |quote=Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, launched in September 2014, featured 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch Retina HD displays and contributed to a surge in Q4 2014 earnings. }}</ref>.  

Apple also grappled with regulatory scrutiny, including antitrust investigations and a settlement related to cold calling employees of other companies<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litigation_involving_Apple_Inc. |quote=Apple faced increased antitrust scrutiny in 2014, including a settlement of an antitrust lawsuit related to cold calling employees of other companies. }}</ref>. Data privacy concerns emerged as a growing issue, further complicating the company’s operational environment.