According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, China has overtaken the United States for the first time to become the world's largest smartphone market by volume.

The research firm said that smartphone shipments reached a record 24 million units in China during the third quarter of 2011. Smartphone shipments reached just 23 million units in the United States.

Linda Sui, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, "Smartphone shipments grew 58 percent sequentially to reach a record 23.9 million units in China during Q3 2011. In contrast, smartphone shipments fell 7 percent sequentially to reach 23.3 million units in the United States. China has overtaken the United States for the first time to become the world's largest smartphone market by volume."

Tom Kang, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "China's rapid growth has been driven by an increasing availability of smartphones in retail channels, aggressive subsidizing by operators of high-end models like the Apple iPhone, and an emerging wave of low-cost Android models from local Chinese brands such as ZTE. Nokia currently leads China's smartphone market with 28 percent share, while HTC heads the United States smartphone market with 24 percent share."

Nokia leads China's smartphone market with 28 percent share while Taiwan's HTC heads the US smartphone market with 24 percent share, according to Strategy Analytics.