Samsung Galaxy S III the best-selling smartphone in Q3 2012

Samsung Galaxy S IIIStrategy Analytics has named the Samsung Galaxy S III [specifications] “the world’s best-selling smartphone model” for Q3 2012. With global shipments of 18.0 million units, it dethroned the Apple iPhone 4S for the top spot. Roughly 1 in 10 smartphones shipped during the quarter was a Galaxy S III!

Neil Shah, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, said, “Samsung’s Galaxy S3 smartphone model shipped 18.0 million units worldwide during the third quarter of 2012. The Galaxy S3 captured an impressive 11 percent share of all smartphones shipped globally and it has become the world’s best-selling smartphone model for the first time ever. A large touchscreen design, extensive distribution across dozens of countries, and generous operator subsidies have been among the main causes of the Galaxy S3’s success. Apple shipped an estimated 16.2 million iPhone 4S units worldwide for second place, as consumers temporarily held off purchases in anticipation of a widely expected iPhone 5 upgrade at the end of the quarter.”

The Samsung Galaxy S III’s reign at the top may be shortlived. Despite a late quarter launch, shipments of the Apple iPhone 5 hit 6 million units and are only expected to climb higher next quarter. Strategy Analytics predicts that it will climb to the top spot in Q4 2012.

Samsung earlier this week announced that it had sold over 30 million Galaxy S III smartphones since its debut.

Read more: Strategy Analytics