Samsung is not only now the world’s largest handset vendor but it is also the world’s largest smartphone manufacturer. Market research firm IDC has published its analysis for the first quarter of 2012 and the results should come as no surprise.
The smartphone market grew an impressive 42.5% over the same quarter a year ago. 144.9 million smartphones were shipped this past quarter. The race is focused on Samsung and Apple with the former dethroning the latter by setting a new market record for the number of smartphones shipped in a single quarter.
“The race between Apple and Samsung remained tight during the quarter, even as both companies posted growth in key areas,” said Ramon Llamas, senior research analyst with IDC’s Mobile Phone Technology and Trends program. “Apple launched its popular iPhone 4S in additional key markets, most notably in China, and Samsung experienced continued success from its Galaxy Note smartphone/tablet and other Galaxy smartphones. With other companies in the midst of major strategic transitions, the contest between Apple and Samsung will bear close observation as hotly-anticipated new models are launched.”
Samsung, the new world leader, shipped 42.2 million smartphones and holds a 29.1% market share. It grew a staggering 267.0% year-over-year! Apple, posted an 88% rate of growth and shipped 35.1 million iPhones (enough for a market share of 24.2%). The remainder of the top 5 were:
- Nokia: 11.9 million smartphones shipped / 8.2% market share / 50.8% decrease over the same quarter a year ago
- Research In Motion: 9.7 million smartphones shipped / 6.7% market share / 29.7% decrease over the same quarter a year ago
- HTC: 6.9 million smartphones shipped / 4.8% market share / 23.3% decrease over the same quarter a year ago
As for total mobile phone shipments, Samsung came out on top, dethroning Nokia with shipments of 93.8 million handsets. Nokia fell to second with 82.7 million shipments. Apple held down third with 35.1 million iPhones shipped; ZTE came in fourth with 19.1 million. LG Electronics held down the fifth spot with 13.7 million handset shipped.
Read more: IDC