With shipments of over 37 million iPhones in its last quarter, it should not come as any surprise that Apple has regained the smartphone lead in Q4 2011. The Strategy Analytics report found that 155 million smartphones were shipped in the last quarter with Apple taking a 24% market share.
According to its findings, Apple shipped 37 million smartphones (good for a 23.9% market share), followed closely by Samsung with 36.5 million (23.5% market share). Nokia followed in third with 19.6 million (12.6%).
On an annual basis, it was Samsung that was crowned the smartphone market leader as its market share reached 19.9%. Apple is right behind with a 19% market share. Nokia is again in third with a 15.8% share. “With global smartphone shipments nearing half a billion units in 2011, Samsung is now well positioned alongside Apple in a two-horse race at the forefront of one of the world’s largest and most valuable consumer electronics markets,” said Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics.
Credit: Strategy Analytics
A separate report by IHS iSuppli reached the same conclusions. It added that all may not be well in the Android camp. Both Sony Ericsson and Motorola (and HTC) showed smaller growth suggesting that “the Android smartphone market is becoming too crowded as the various licensees compete for limited consumer mindshare and shelf space.”
Read more: Strategy Analytics and IHS iSuppli