Revenue from smartphone sales in India have been growing rapidly for industry giants Samsung and Apple.

Sales of iPhone and Samsung handsets in India accounted for $14 billion in sales during the calendar year 2022 according to a report from ETTelecom. Revenue for Apple and Samsung from smartphone sales in India grew by a notable 27% and 14%, respectively, within the last year.

The report attributes the rising popularity in the region to Apple and Samsung’s growing portfolio of premium devices, and compensates for the decrease in sales from Chinese handset brands. Revenue growth fell flat at $38 billion by the end of 2022 for Chinese smartphone manufacturers Vivo and Xiaomi, with shipments falling 9% according to market trackers cited by ETTelecom in the same report.

Apple’s worldwide smartphone marketshare grew from 14% in 2021 to 18% in 2022 according to Counterpoint Research. Apple scores second place in terms of overall smartphone marketshare, yet global smartphone shipments are projected to increase by 5% in 2023 according to the same report.

Despite notable growth strides in India, the smartphone market declined by 10% in 2022 to 144 Million units, as detailed by IDC India.

Apple plans to open its first official brick-and-mortar store in India according to Bloomberg report from last week, in an effort to expand its presence in the region. Despite a global economic downturn, India appears to be a prominent market for Apple, due to regional economic growth and high demand for the Cupertino giant’s premium smartphone sector. Apple even began manufacturing the iPhone 14 in India late last year.

Apple plans to loosen its ties to a political and economically turbulent China, identifying India as its next key sales region. The new retail location will accompany its already active regional online store.