Apple, Samsung gear up for battle in India this Diwali

Apple and Samsung would battle it out in India during the Diwali holiday season with one thing both rivals have no shortage of — marketing dollars.

Samsung plans to spend as much as $18 million on marketing in India as the world’s fastest growing smartphone awaits its biggest festive season. But it won't be alone. Its global rival, Apple, too has similar intentions with a marketing budget north of $15 million for the same, Economic Times reports.

In India, Diwali is as big as Christmas in the west and Indians put off big purchases for this period when retailers and brands offer discounts and offers. Last year, Flipkart, which is India's largest online retailer, sold goods worth $300 million in its five-day "Big Billion Sale" that preceded Diwali. Read more...