During Q3 2011, Samsung has overtaken Apple to lead the smartphone
shipments.
Samsung smartphone shipments reached 27.8 million. By comparison, Appleshipments during the period were 17.1 million.
Strategy Analytics estimated that global shipments of smartphones forthe first nine months of the year reached 117 million, a 44 percent jump over the same period last year.
Apple’s global smartphone growth rate slowed to just 21 percent annually in this year’s third quarter, its lowest level in two years. Factors contributing to that growth slowdown included 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.
Besides the slippage in smartphone shipments, Apple’s share of tablet shipments during the period declined to 67 percent from a domineering 96 percent.
Industry analysts says Apple should fare better during the holiday season, if the initial sales of the iPhone 4S are any indicator of growth. During the first weekend alone, the product sold four million units, a new record for an iPhone model.
By Telecomlead.com Team
