Samsung Electronics surged past Apple in smartphone shipments in the third quarter, helped by the wide availability of its flagship Galaxy S II handset.
Samsung controlled 27.8 percent of the global market for smartphones, according to a recent study released by Strategy Analytics. Apple, meanwhile, had 17.1 percent of the market.
Samsung has seen a rapid rise in the smartphone world thanks to its aggressive embrace of Google's Android smartphone platform. The company built upon the early success of its flagship Galaxy S smartphones with the Galaxy S II this year, which has seen even wider consumer adoption. In the U.S., Samsung customized versions for AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Sprint Nextel.
Samsung's share nearly quadruped from its year-earlier market share of 7.5 percent. Apple, meanwhile, saw only a slight uptick from 14.1 percent a year ago. Its share could rise again with the introduction of the iPhone 4S earlier this month.
"We believe Apple's growth during the third quarter was affected by consumers and operators awaiting the launch of the new iPhone 4S in the fourth quarter, volatile economic conditions in several key countries, and tougher competition from Samsung's popular Galaxy S II model," Neil Mawston, an analyst at Strategy Analytics, said in a statement.
In total, the global smartphone shipments grew 44 percent to hit a record 117 million units, Strategy Analytics said.
Nokia, meanwhile, saw its market share retreat to 16.8 percent from 26.5 percent a year ago, as consumers opted for Android or iOS devices over Symbian. Nokia earlier this week unveiled its first Windows Phone handsets.
Source: cnet