According to the latest research from Strategy Analytics, global smartphone shipments grew 44 percent annually to reach a record 117 million units in the third quarter of 2011. Samsung overtook Apple to claim top spot as the world's number one smartphone vendor.

Alex Spektor, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, "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. Samsung's rise has been driven by a blend of elegant hardware designs, popular Android services, memorable sub-brands and extensive global distribution. Samsung has demonstrated that it is possible, at least in the short term, to differentiate and grow by using the Android ecosystem."

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."

Tom Kang, Director at Strategy Analytics, added, "Nokia reached 14 percent global smartphone share in Q3 2011, more than halving from 33 percent in Q3 2010. The transition from Symbian to Microsoft as Nokia's main smartphone platform has clearly been a very challenging process this year. The recent launch of the new Microsoft Lumia portfolio has helped to raise Nokia's profile, and Nokia will be hoping the partnership with Microsoft can drive at least an L-shaped recovery in its global smartphone market share over the next few months."

        
        Global Smartphone Vendor Shipments (Millions of Units)      Q3 '10    Q3 '11
        ------------------------------------------------------      ------    ------
        Samsung                                                        7.5      27.8
        Apple                                                         14.1      17.1
        Nokia                                                         26.5      16.8
        Others                                                        32.9      55.3
        ------------------------------------------------------      ------    ------
        Total                                                         81.0     117.0
        ======================================================      ======    ======
        Global Smartphone Vendor Marketshare %                      Q3 '10    Q3 '11
        ------------------------------------------------------      ------    ------
        Samsung                                                       9.3%     23.8%
        Apple                                                        17.4%     14.6%
        Nokia                                                        32.7%     14.4%
        Others                                                       40.6%     47.3%
        ------------------------------------------------------      ------    ------
        Total                                                       100.0%    100.0%
        ======================================================      ======    ======
        Total Growth Year-over-Year %                                86.5%     44.4%