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Galaxy S9 launches Samsung back to the top of India’s premium market
June 24, 2025
Samsung has once again regained the top spot in India within the premium tier. Buoyed by the release of theGalaxy S9 and S9 Plus, the South Korean giant has shunted aside Apple and OnePlus in Q1 2018, capturing half of the entire segment and delivering 16 percent year-on-year growth.
When looking at India’s emergent market, most of the attention is, quite rightly, placed on the mid- to low-end price tiers and the overwhelming success of affordable devices with a high price-performance ratio.
The landscape in the flagship arena is equally fascinating, however, even though, according toCounterpoint Research’s latest report, the premium tier accounts for just 4 percent of the overall market. In that sector, Samsung, OnePlus, and Apple, in descending order of market share, cumulatively represent 95 percent of the overall premium market share.
Apple had previously dominated Q4 2018 following the launch of theiPhone XandiPhone 8series. The report cites weak overall demand and rising import tariffs for the drop to third place and an overall volume drop of 55 percent, although the Cupertino firm can still be happy with strong online sales, especially for older iPhone models via Amazon and Flipkart.
While Samsung is sitting pretty at the top with the S9, S9 Plus, andGalaxy A8 Plusall in demand, it’s OnePlus that has shown the most stability, once again holding onto the second spot for three straight quarters. TheOnePlus 5Twas also the best-selling phone across the premium segment in the first quarter of 2018, bolstered by brick-and-mortar sales and limited edition variants — most likely theLava Redand India-exclusiveStar Wars-themedmodels.
In addition, the report notes that theOnePlus 6is primed to follow in its predecessor’s footsteps in the market, with new stores and wider brand awareness expected to play a huge part in OnePlus’ success in the region. HUAWEI’sP20 Proand HMD Global’sNokia 8 Siroccoare both expected to make an impact in Q2 2018 as well.
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