Samsung Galaxy Note 9 creates flutters in Apple’s camp

New York:Samsung, that maintained a comfortable lead in the second quarter this year with 20.9 per cent global market share, has now created flutters in Apples camp with unveiling its flagship Galaxy Note 9.
According to industry analysts, Note 9 can build a robust road-map for Samsung at a time when the premium segment globally is reporting flat or lower sales amid Chinese players offering flagship devices at a much lower price points in price-sensitive markets like India.
The 6.4-inch Note 9, launched here on Thursday, comes with a mammoth 1TB memory, a bigger battery and a Bluetooth-equipped S Pen which is unique to Note devices.
“The customers in the premium category are split between Android users (who usually prefer Samsung over any other brand) and the iOS users. Both the customers are distinct and usually like sticking to their choices,” Upasana Joshi, Associate Research Manager, Client Devices, IDC India, told IANS.
Note 8 was a hit model last year — post the debacle which Galaxy Note 7 created within the consumer mindset.
“Considering the overall feature to price bundling, Note 9 is an upgrade to the previous Galaxy Note 8 series but one will have to wait to see the demand generated from the Indian market,” Joshi noted.
Samsung led the smartphone market by volume in the second quarter, shipping 71.6 million units while Apple shipped 41.3 million iPhones.
“With Apple soon coming with new launches, with three new model line-up, it will certainly change the market dynamics very soon.
“One thing is sure that Note 9 has removed the aspect of a 64GB entry variant in the premium segment. Let’s see what Apple has to offer in the coming days,” said Joshi.