As per Gartner Inc. Apple passed Samsung Electronics to become the world’s biggest smartphone vendor in the fourth quarter on surging sales of its iPhone.
Almost a quarter of smartphones sold were iPhones as Apple’s market share rose to 23.8% from 15.8% a year earlier, the Stamford, Connecticut-based researcher said. Apple sold 35.5 million smartphones to consumers while Samsung could sell only 34 million. Global sales of smartphones which can handle business email and streaming video increased 47% to 149 million units.
As per Roberta Cozza, a Gartner analyst – If Apple closes a deal with China Telecom or Chine Mobile they could see their units double in that market. Google’s Android software ran on more than half of all smartphones, according to Gartner. Whereas Nokia’s share fell to 12% from about 30% a year earlier, putting it in third position.
Apple’s smartphone success made it the world’s largest vendor of handsets overall, passing LG Electronics, which fell to fifth place. Apple is also optimistic on the launch of next generation iPad in 2012 to be unveiled hopefully in an event on March 7th.
With huge potential in China and rising optimism about iPad 3, do you think Samsung will be able to close the gap or will Apple stay in top position in 2012? let us know your views in the comments section.