Apple has beaten Samsung to claim one of the top three places in the United Arab Emirates’ Annual BrandIndex Buzz Rankings — knocking Samsung from its previous No. 1 position down to No. 4.

That wasn’t Apple’s sole placement on the list either, since the iPhone (placed at No. 7) was the only handset brand named. Other notable tech entries included Google, Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube.

Apple’s success on the list shouldn’t surprise anyone who has been keeping track of the company’s progress in U.A.E. In October last year, Apple was ranked No. 1 in a separate list of the “Top 10 Most Intimate Brands in the U.A.E.”

In 2015, Cupertino notably opened its first two Apple Stores in the region with an enormous 50,000-square-foot retail space at the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, and a second Apple Store at the newly-opened Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi.

Since I noted, just a year ago, how under-served Apple was being in the United Arab Emirates — despite clear demand for its handsets — it’s no surprise that the recent flurry of activity would see it overtake its South Korean frenemy Samsung when it comes to buzz.

The complete rankings can be viewed below:

1. Emirates
2. WhatsApp
3. Apple
4. Samsung
5. Google
6. Facebook
7. iPhone
8. YouTube
9. Etihad Airways
10. Emaar

Source: Emirates247