Very interesting, thanks. Here in the UK I see many many iPhones but also many Samsung devices, and few others.

Which flagship was it, out of interest?

Currently the Samsung Galaxy S5. But the S4, S3, and probably the previous ones in the Galaxy S line also outsold the corresponding iPhones here.

For example, here is a 2013 list of the top selling phones in Spain (list on the left): http://www.xatakamovil.com/mercado/samsung-copa-la-lista-de-...

As you can see, that year's Samsung flagship (Galaxy S3) makes the top 10, and the iPhone doesn't, although the iPhone is on top of the right list (% buyers who give the phone a 9 or 10 out of 10).

The Samsung Galaxy does appear to be the exception.

Well I'm more than happy with my HTC One (M8), and the other people I know who own Ones are too, and the same can be said about the Sony XPeria flagships which are very nice too. In contrast, Galaxy owners typically complain about lag and crappy interface, and their phones seem to break all too often... but too many people seem to drink the Samsung kool-aid and just won't look at other brands' offerings.

I personally have always wanted to own an HTC phone. The One looks really cool.