Strategy Analytics: Samsung Overtakes Apple In Q3 Smartphone Shipments
Oh, the smartphone wars. Every quarter, analytical companies evaluate smartphone shipments, and this time around, it looks like Samsung has a lot to celebrate. After entering the smartphone wars around a year ago, the company has managed to increase overall marketshare from around 9% to just under 24%. Based on the newest numbers from Strategy Analytics, smartphone sales in general are skyrocketing. Global smartphone shipments grew 44 percent annually to reach a record 117 million units in Q3 2011. Samsung shipped 28 million smartphones and overtook Apple to become the world's largest smartphone vendor by volume with 24 percent market share.
Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "After just one quarter in the top spot, Apple slipped behind Samsung to second position and captured 15 percent share. Apple's global smartphone growth rate slowed to just 21 percent annually in Q3 2011, its lowest level for two years. 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 S2 model."
Nokia's market share declined significantly, but that's not surprising given the turmoil in transitioning to Windows Phone. Also, Apple's share likely increased slower than usual given that folks were waiting around for the iPhone 5 (which ended up being the iPhone 4S). So, Samsung rules the roost in terms of shipments right now, but who knows how the figures will roll out in Q4.
Neil Mawston, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "After just one quarter in the top spot, Apple slipped behind Samsung to second position and captured 15 percent share. Apple's global smartphone growth rate slowed to just 21 percent annually in Q3 2011, its lowest level for two years. 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 S2 model."
Nokia's market share declined significantly, but that's not surprising given the turmoil in transitioning to Windows Phone. Also, Apple's share likely increased slower than usual given that folks were waiting around for the iPhone 5 (which ended up being the iPhone 4S). So, Samsung rules the roost in terms of shipments right now, but who knows how the figures will roll out in Q4.
