Samsung gives Apple a reason to cheer as it delays Galaxy Note 7’s launch in India

Samsung is going to delay its Galaxy Note 7 launch in India and this will give Apple an edge to cash in on the festive season.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 is facing several issues such as overheating battery problems, etc, which is why the company is delaying the launch in India.

Samsung has recalled 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 devices and will be re-launching the improved versions in South Korea, Australia, Singapore and the US first.

As per reports, Samsung may launch its smartphone post Diwali, whereas Apple is going to start selling its iPhone 7 and iPhone7 Plus from October 7.

"If Samsung delays it for long, they will lose out on customer acquisition since the replacement rate for premium handsets is now 2-3 years,” Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint Technology Market Research told ET.

As per Counterpoint Research, Apple sold 850,000 iPhones in the October-December period last year and it is expected to sell about 1million units this year due to the delay in the launch of Samsung's Note 7.

"However, Apple is also facing a global shortage of supply of the iPhone 7. But this is an opportunity for Apple since Indian consumers shift easily between the two brands when a compelling new handset comes,” a chief executive officer of a leading mobile phone retailer told ET.

Samsung continued to lead the Indian smartphone market with a 25.1% share in the three months ended June, according to International Data Corporation.

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