Samsung claims it has a market share of 50 percent in the high-end smartphone segment in India, surpassing Apple. The brand has apparently been seeing a positive momentum over the past 1 year.
The numbers come courtesy market research firm GfK, which stated that Samsung India’s market share in the Rs 30000 and above segment is 51 percent in terms of value as of September 2015. The figure stood at 36 percent at the same point last year. According to Manu Sharma, the company’s product marketing director, this growth has been supported by the release of the Galaxy S6 edge and the Note 5.
He went on to assert that Samsung has seen a rise in sales during the festive season beginning from October. The manufacturer was facing pressure in the premium category thanks to Apple’s renewed push to aggressively sell its products in India. However, the tepid response to the release of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus is expected to benefit Samsung.
The Economic Times reports Apple is currently trailing behind Samsung in the high-end sector with a market share in the mid-40 Percent range. Industry analysts caution that the South Korea-based company’s leadership claim should be taken with a pinch of salt, as there is no method to verify the figures GfK has come up with.
Also See: Samsung Galaxy On5, Galaxy On7 4G phones launched in India
A high-ranking executive at a multi-brand retailer outfit explained that Apple is currently battling sluggish sales due to the exorbitant cost of the iPhone 6S range. It’s been forced to start affordability schemes like interest-free EMIs to stay afloat, an unusual move for a new handset. He thinks the company is being forced to step up its game, especially in the competitive festive period.
A recent study by Counterpoint revealed that Samsung is the top manufacturer in India, with a share of 19 percent in the overall market and a 23.2 percent stake in the smartphone sector. Apple’s market share stands at 1 percent, but its revenue share of 9 percent puts it in 3rd place.