
According to a new report from research firm, Strategy Analytics, Apple overtook Samsung as the market leader in mobile phones in the U.S. for the final quarter of 2012. It should be noted that Samsung still led for the year as a whole but the development marks the first time Apple has held the top spot in overall mobile phone shipments.
Technology analysts estimate that a total of 52 million mobile phones were shipped in the U.S. last quarter with Apple accounting for 17.7 million of them, Samsung for 16.8 million and LG a distant third with 4.7 million. Samsung had held the top spot since 2008 before being dethroned by Apple this past quarter. According to Neil Mawston, the Strategy Analytics Executive Director:
We estimate Apple shipped 17.7 million mobile phones for a record 34 percent share of the United States market in the fourth quarter of 2012. This was up sharply from 12.8 million units shipped and 25 percent share in Q4 2011. Apple has become the number one mobile phone vendor by volume in the United States for the first time ever. Apple’s success has been driven by its popular ecosystem of iPhones and App Store, generous carrier subsidies, and extensive marketing around the new iPhone 5 model.
Source: BusinessWire, Strategy Analytics (blog)
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