Apple, Samsung taking smartphone prices to edge

Apple likely to unveil new iPhone at September 12 event

The newest smartphones are taking their screens to the edge. Apple Inc. AAPL 1.01% and Samsung Electronics seem to be doing the same with their prices, in what amounts to a gamble to revive growth.

The two companies have long dominated the high end of the modern smartphone market. But that part of the business has gotten saturated, curbing the runaway growth they once enjoyed. Apple and Samsung combined accounted for 36% of smartphones sold globally last year— down from 49% five years ago, according to IDC.

Both companies also saw smartphone revenue decline in their latest fiscal